Fast + Epp’s Concept Lab conducted a series of tests on CLT Minor Strength Axis Moment Connections to explore efficient and cost-effective methods for ensuring continuity along the minor direction of CLT panels, with the aim of facilitating two-way action in CLT floors

Project Essentials

  • PartnersThomas Tannert, University of Northern British Columbia
  • TypeTesting
  • FundingNSERC Alliance

We tested the performance of four different connections in the minor strength axis: i) plywood splines attached with inclined self-tapping screws (STS); ii) glued-on plywood splines; iii) recessed screwed-in T-joints; iv) wooden X-Fix shear keys

The primary use of these minor strength axis moment connections is to increase grid spacing in point-supported CLT designs to enable efficient office layouts with 7-ply or 9-ply CLT panels joined along their minor axis. The moment connections can also be used to splice cantilever panels at the edges of a building.