Mechanical Performance and Feasibility Study of Steel Plate-Bolted Glulam Trusses

Abstract

To promote the application of engineered timber in medium- and long-span structural systems, this paper investigates the mechanical performance and feasibility of steel plate-bolted glulam trusses. The proposed structural form combines glulam members with double-sided steel gusset plates and through bolts, forming a mechanical connection system capable of transferring axial force, shear force, and a certain degree of bending moment at the joints. The material compatibility of glulam, structural steel plates, and dowel-type bolts is discussed first, followed by an analysis of the truss configuration, load-transfer mechanism, preliminary experimental response, numerical simulation strategy, and design feasibility. The results indicate that the steel plate-bolted connection can provide a clear load path, reliable assembly conditions, and improved joint restraint for glulam trusses. Preliminary static loading observations show that the failure process is mainly governed by joint slip, local timber embedment, splitting around bolt holes, bolt bending, and local cracking of critical members, while the global truss response retains an evident staged development. Refined numerical modelling can effectively reproduce the overall load-displacement trend and reveal stress concentration near bolts and steel plates. Theoretical interpretation based on dowel-type connection yielding and joint bending resistance further supports the feasibility of this structural form. Overall, steel plate-bolted glulam trusses show good potential for green building structures, especially where structural efficiency, prefabrication, maintainability, and low-carbon material use are required.