Extending the Yield Theory to the bolted flitch-plate connection

Thirty-six tension tests were conducted on nine configurations of a double shear bolted flitch-plate connection on a round cross-section wood member. Connections comprised of wood side members and a middle steel plate with one bolt inserted through a pre-drilled hole in the wood and steel plate. The measured yield strength of the connection was compared with Yield Theory predicted strength. A new Yield Theory failure mode named IIIs* is proposed in this study for the first time to account for the effect of oversized bolt holes in the wood. The mean predicted yield load was within 8% of the mean measured load for the nine connection groups tested. It deviated by no more than 17% between replications.