The Effects of Wedges of Traditional Wooden Joints on the Restoring Force Characteristics

Abstract

The loading tests of traditional wooden joints with wedges were carried out by use of Teflon sheets which reduce the friction in order to make clear the effects of wedges on the restoring force characteristics. The results showed that the effects of wedges on the restoring force characteristics were very large and the resisting mechanisms of joints with wedges were established. Thus, based on their mechanisms, formulations of restoring force characteristics of joints with wedges were proposed and some simulations were tried.