Split Rings? 1

[Archie264]

I'm referring to the timber connectors not the participant who goes by that moniker though maybe he'll respond? In any case, I'm just asking a general question about them since I've never seen them in use. My assumption is that they are shear connectors that allow rotation and thus act like pinned connections, particularly useful in timber trusses. Is this correct? And I wonder why I haven't yet seen them in the field or is that part of their appeal as well? That is, that they are largely invisible? Just curious...

 

[woodman88]

Most engineers I talk to would love to use them, except the engineers who think that they would not be installed correctly. In most situations that I could use them the contractor did not like them. The client went with the contractor opinion. So I have never used them.
As for using them in rotation. Most of the using I wanted them for, required three or four rings for the connection, so rotation was not the reason.
They must be used by some as they are still being marketed.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[JedClampett]

I had a project where I found a reason to use them. I wrote specifications, showed them on the drawings, did everything but buy them and send them to the GC. And they still didn't use them. Somehow they convinced the Resident Engineer they had something better (which they only vaguely described) and they could substitute it.
And this wasn't hundreds of connections. Just a few. The Manufacturer (

http://fabrication.clevelandsteel.c...-spike-grids/teco-split-rings-timber-rings-?)

has good information, sells the installation tools, prices seem pretty reasonable.
Maybe next time.

 

[EngineeringEric]

We have used them. We used them on Heavy timber structures with skilled contractors (the owner is the contractor sort of deal, and they know their material). we use them in groups as well. The major positive is the capacity as compared to a single bolt. with heavy time a single 3/4" bolt only gives so much capacity but when a split ring is used your modes of failure change and can dramatically reduce the number of connectors required. Now i want to note it has been a few years since i used them so things may have changed.
-
Experience was with historical reconstruction and log cabin style. The timbers were all rough cut and large.

 

[Archie264]

Interesting. So they're not made to allow for rotation, per se, but, rather, have greater capacity than standard bolted connections. Ok, thanks.

 

[hokie66]

Split rings and shear plates are both connectors used in assemblies with bolts to increase the shear capacity available from bolts only. As noted above, rotation is not the consideration, although a connection with only one bolt would certainly be capable of rotating. I used shear plates a lot years ago, but not in recent times.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Archie264 - For background info, I have a 1930's TECO publication (13 pages) that gives a general overview of split ring construction. It is "Fabricating TECO Timber Connector Structures" and is located on this page of my website:

http://www.slideruleera.net/miscellaneous.html

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[Splitrings]

We typically use them on wood curb and railing assemblies on wood bridges. They are listed in NDS as shear connections. They can increase the connection strength by 4 or 5 times that of a plain bolted connection. Installation is easy if the correct dapping tool is purchased. It is somewhat pricey, approaching a $1000. The groove can be constructed with a router and a homemade jig. The required dimesnions are listed in NDS. Most contractors and suppliers have never heard of such a thing. Locating a source can be difficult.

 

[Archie264]

Thanks for the info.