Strength of bolted wood joints with various ratios of member thicknesses

Abstract : The Proportional limit load increases for three-member joints with increasing side member thickness. The present design procedure as given in NDS seems adequate for handling this situation. The proper way of designing two-member joints would be to use half the load for a joint with main member of the same thickness as the thinner member. This would bring the design procedure in line with the way four-member joints are handled. The present procedure for designing joints of four or more members as given in NDS is adequate.