Glued Laminated Timber Joint Arrangement for Automated Prefabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional glued laminated timber frame joints are labor-intensive, expensive, and not easily automated due to the use of steel structures that require on-site assembly, which is inefficient and uneconomical, especially considering the heterogeneous strength properties of wood.
Innovation Solution
A joint arrangement using a coupling part with internal threads and screws to connect glued laminated timber braces to frame parts, allowing prefabrication in a factory setting, utilizing CNC machining for high dimensional accuracy, and transferring forces efficiently through steel components aligned with wood grain strength properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel structures and joints are used for connecting braces to frame parts, then the joint strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the labor intensity and on-site assembly complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is pre-assembled in the factory with the front plate, sockets, and connecting elements before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary assembly reduces on-site work to simple insertion and nut tightening operations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining joint strength and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint is divided into modular components: a coupling part with integrated front plate and sockets, a connecting part with end plate and connecting elements, and a brace part. This segmentation allows factory prefabrication of complex assemblies while simplifying on-site installation, addressing both strength requirements and assembly ease.
2Reliability
If traditional steel plates and screws are used for joints, then the connection reliability is improved, but the prefabrication level remains low and automation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is completely pre-assembled in the factory with precise positioning of sockets and fastening holes, enabling automated assembly processes. This maintains connection reliability through controlled factory conditions while significantly increasing the extent of automation possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling part serves multiple functions: providing structural connection, enabling precise alignment through integrated front plate, and facilitating automated assembly through standardized socket and hole configurations. This multi-functionality supports both reliability and automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If on-site assembly of joint components is performed, then the adaptability to site conditions is improved, but the construction time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is pre-assembled in the factory with precise positioning, maintaining adaptability to site conditions through the modular design that can accommodate various brace configurations. Meanwhile, the reduced on-site assembly steps significantly improve construction productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint design allows for flexible configuration at the construction site through the modular coupling and connecting parts, maintaining adaptability. The simplified assembly process with pre-positioned components enables faster installation, improving productivity.
4Strength
If force transfer through wood grain is optimized, then the load-bearing efficiency is improved, but the joint complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sockets are positioned and oriented to align with the wood grain direction of the frame part, optimizing local force transfer efficiency. This targeted approach to force path optimization maintains high load-bearing efficiency while avoiding unnecessary overall joint complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A joint arrangement (27) for connecting a horizontal brace (3) made of glued laminated timber and/or a diagonal brace (2, 4) made of glued laminated timber to a frame part (1), such as a glued laminated timber column (1) or glued laminated timber beam, of a glued laminated timber frame. The joint arrangement (27) comprises a coupling part (5) fastenable to the frame part (1), which coupling part comprises a front plate (12) to be arranged against a front surface of the frame part (1), with sockets (13) having an internal thread fastened to a back surface of the front plate and thread bars (14) arrangeable into holes extending through the frame part (1) screwed into the sockets, a back plate (16) to be arranged against a back surface of the frame part (1) and having fastening holes through which the thread bars (14) are insertable, and nuts (11) to be screwed onto the thread bars (14) for fastening the front plate (12) and the back plate (16) to the frame part (1), a connecting part (6) to be fastened to the front plate (12) and comprising an end plate (17) fastenable to a front surface of the front plate (12) by fastening screws (20) to be screwed into the sockets (13), and a connecting element (19) fastened to the end plate (17), and a brace part (28) for each diagonal brace (2, 4) and/or horizontal brace (3), which brace part (28) is fastenable to an end of the diagonal brace (2,4) and/or the horizontal brace and to the connecting element (19).