Analytical derivation and experimental verification of overstrength factors of dowel-type timber connections for capacity design

Abstract

In timber structures, connections traditionally provide ductility and energy dissipation under seismic loading. Capacity design ensures that the global structural response is ductile by applying overstrength to the design demand of brittle elements. Overstrength is often derived experimentally which is costly and time consuming. This paper proposes an analytical method to estimate the overstrength of dowel-type timber connections based on inherent material properties, thereby reducing the need for experimental testing. The method is validated with data from previous experiments and literature for dowelled, bolted, and nailed timber connections, and provides reasonably accurate upper-bound overstrength estimates.