Splitting of beams caused by multiple connections along the beam span

: In the past splitting of beams caused by connection perpendicular to grain has drawn attention. Models have mainly being developed considering one mid span connection. Some semi-empirical models assume the splitting capacity to be proportional with the number of connections when sufficiently spaced. However, recent experiments show this is not the case. Experiments show a considerable drop in splitting capacity per connection. Until now only a fracture mechanical model is able to explain the result for beams loaded by two connections. Experiments with three connections along the span of a simply supported beam show an even greater drop in splitting capacity per connection. The test results are presented and evaluated and compared to model predictions.