Structural Characterization of Traditional Moment-Resisting Timber Joinery

This paper investigates the structural performance of traditional moment-resisting interlocking timber joints for modern building construction. Gradually improved over generations, traditional Japanese and Chinese interlocking connections have proven structural integrity. In this paper, first, an overview of the development of historical Japanese and Chinese joinery techniques is presented. Second, state-of-the-art numerical modeling techniques for solid contact-only timber connections are reviewed. A hypothetical case study is then used to contextualize a selection of four interlocking joints in a modern building structure. The structural behavior of these joints is analyzed by means of finite-elements considering material failure and geometric nonlinearity. The structural capacity and the rotational stiffness of the joints are investigated. The goal of this research is to initiate a classification of interlocking joint typologies based on their structural behavior.