A novel timber dowel-type connection using shape memory alloy
In order to provide self-centering effect, a novel timber dowel-type connection system using superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) bar and tubes as dowels is investigated in this study. Double-shear connections with SMA and mild steel dowels were tested under dynamic loadings at different displacement levels. The results showed that SMA dowel-type connections have good self-centering behaviours and can mitigate the residual deformation effectively compared with steel dowel-type connections after excessive deformation, although the steel dowel-type connections present higher strength. These tests reveal that the connection with tube dowels show higher equivalent viscous damping ratio than those use solid bar as tube would allow larger deformation to dissipate energy.
The article discusses the question of development of software for automated design of road wooden bridge spans. The adaptive pattern of elastic load distribution calculation based on obtained loading theorem providing optimal geometry elements choice is developed. It is given a comparison of the measured real spans deflection with the results of calculating using two methods.