Bonded-in rod connections for timber structures—development of design methods and test observations

Bonded-in rods provide the potential for engineering design of connections in timber structures to be expanded beyond the common types of connection devices currently employed. The achievement of improved connections is the major challenge in timber engineering and has great potential in a wide scope of new build and renovation projects. The achievement of transfer of technologies and techniques from the realm of research to actual practice is reliant upon usability of codified design methods and compatibility with the wider scope of design codes. This paper provides an overview of the key aspects for address in relation to British Standard and Eurocode design of timber structures and draws upon examples of significant knowledge development to support code development achieved through full-scale structural testing of joints. This includes duration of load tests involving adhesive bonded rods with three types of adhesive, subject to high fractions of ultimate load in an outdoor climate, and fatigue studies.