Page 58 - ROHANA_Journal_No_11-2019-ok

Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 11, 2019

Past studies have identified the structural performance of finger joints (FJs) used in
the manufacture of finger jointed timber products such as stunts, trusses, columns,

beams etc.

Figure 1: A finger jointed timber section

Since British Standard (BS) Design Codes do not refer to timber connections done
using finger jointing, this study focused on determining the bending properties,

compressive strength and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) of finger jointed sections.

The study used timber species commonly available in Sri Lanka to determine their
strengths and strength grades for use in structural applications. To understand the

behavior of finger connected joints when they are under actual loading conditions,
structural scale specimens were tested for compression.

Methodology

Sample Collection

State Timber Corporation (STC) has graded Teak, Jak, Mahogany, Grandis, Satin
and Kumbuk as the most used hardwood in Sri Lanka. Similarly, Pine has been

graded as the most used softwood in the country. Thus, samples made from sections
of Teak, Jak, Mahogany, Grandis, Satin, Kumbuk and Pine that were discarded as

waste at the Sawn Mill of STC in Galle were used for the tests. The long sections of

timber identified from the waste timber at STC for making the samples were

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