An Analysis of Structural Finger-Joints Made from 2 Northeastern Species

Beam specimens of two species, eastern white pine and eastern hemlock, were finger-jointed at their midpoints and stressed to failure to evaluate their structural performance. The 1. 75- by 1. 75- by 32-inch specimens were subjected to two-point loading. A phenol-resorcinol adhesive that cured at room temperature was used. Open and closed assembly times were varied and combined with two different closing pressures to investigate their effect on joint fabrication. Adhesive performance was evaluated and design values were recommended for each of the species. Finger-joints in eastern white pine and eastern hemlock were easily bonded. The presence of finger-joints did not affect the allowable unit stress values of eastern hemlock, but did slightly lower the value of the select structural grade of eastern white pine. Modulus of elasticity was not affected by the presence of finger-joints