This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the short-term mechanical performance of timber screw connections comprising two types of fasteners suitable for a novel panelized roof design process. Thirty-seven specimens of five different connection configurations were tested under quasi-static monotonic loading. The main objective of this study is to provide a preliminary assessment of connection capacity that is key to the successful implementation of a proposed panelized roof design method. It also provides the basis to assist in the development of a numerical model of the novel roof assembly. Additionally, the experimental data are used to check the validity of existing analytical approaches for predicting the strengths of screwed connections comprising engineered wood members. The validation exercise shows that available analytical models can be used to predict the connection capacity of the novel panelized roof.

Panelized fabrication of light-frame wood buildings has higher productivity than the traditional stick-built method. However, the roof production process is not very efficient due to the structural system and construction method. This study proposes a novel apex connection that allows for a folding mechanism in a panelized light wood frame roof system. Proof of concept of the proposed connection assembly is presented by a 3D printout of the developed connection. Following the steel design code and timber code, the initial estimation of different parameters, such as the pinhole diameter and number screws, were established. A detailed finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to determine the connection strength requirement for different load case scenarios. The results of the FEA and 3D printout of the assembly show that the proposed connection can provide the required folding mechanism before roof installation and can withstand the load in the unfolding state at service.