Role of fastenings in modifying the hysteretic response of panel-to-panel joints for CLT structures

High performance dampers are a key component in low-damage earthquake-resistant timber structures and they should be designed according to displacement-based design criteria. In this case, a well-defined non-linear force vs displacement relationship of the connection is to be known by the designer (e.g., to evaluate inter-storey drifts), underlying the importance of their careful experimental characterization. In this study, the cyclic shear response of a panel-to-panel joint, fastened to the wooden elements with three alternative solutions, was experimentally tested. Results showed that, although fulfilling the capacity design criteria and allowing an easy replacement of the damper, the semi-rigid nature of fastenings produces important modifications to the mechanical properties of the whole connection type, such as elastic stiffness, yielding point, ductility and equivalent viscous damping.