S A Pine—Load Sharing. Fact or Fiction?

SYNOPSIS Load sharing amongst timber members, that are restrained to the same deflection, has been accepted as a given fact for some time. This paper discusses a simulation method that can be used to determine whether load sharing does in fact exist when S A Pine members are used. Results of tests as well as simulations are presented and discussed. It is concluded that load sharing will not occur when the material behaviour is elastic-brittle. Some form of ductility is required for load sharing to take place.