Mechanical response of metal-plate-connected tension joints using laminated bamboo lumber under cyclic loading

Metal-plate-connected joints (MPC) are widely used in light timber buildings, while there are fewer studies on the joints under dynamic loads. For purpose of exploring a new possibility of application in bamboo structures, laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) and MPC have been incorporated in the current test. Four groups of metal-plate-connected tension joints using laminated bamboo lumber (LBL-MPC) are considered to be loaded by static and cyclic loading. Test specimens AA and AE refer to pairs of LBL member connected end-to-end in parallel, loaded in tension, connected with a rectangular shaped MPC oriented longitudinally (AA) or with the MPC oriented transversely (AE). Test specimens EA and EE refer to pairs of LBL members connected perpendicular, with a tension load on one of the members that imparts a perpendicular-to-grain loading on the other member. Both static and cyclic tests were performed using a displacement-controlled loading method with a loading rate of 1 mm/min. Under cyclic loading, the ultimate load of AA, AE, and EA joints was 7.6%, 10.4%, and 5.8% higher than that under static load, while EE joints were reduced by 6.4%. Two categories of skeleton curve models adapted to tensile joints of LBL-MPCs under cyclic loading were proposed.