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

• Bending and compressive strengths of finger jointed timber have been

established for commercially available timber species in Sri Lanka by using
larger number of standard specimens for experiment and they can be used for

finger jointed timber designing.
• Finger joint can be used to manufacture shorter length of timber member such as

beams, strut to withstand both bending and compression.

• Finger jointed element of Teak timber is structurally and economically effective
for the construction industry.

• Finger jointed timber element which is manufactured by using waste of Satin,
Grandis and Pine wood are structurally effective.

Further, it is revealed that there is a need for future research to understand the
performance of finger jointed timber species made with metal connectors,

mechanical improvements etc. These future studies could be used to determine the

mechanical properties of timber species of different sectional dimensions,
limitations of the dimensions that can be used for finger jointing and the durability

of the joints bonded using epoxy adhesives under higher load bearing capacities.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Mr. C. K. Muthumala, Manager R&D and staff of the
Research, Development and Training Division, State Timber Corporation,

Battaramulla, Sri Lanka for the support they extended during specimen preparation

and experimental work.

References

Ayarkwa, J., Hirashima, Y. and Sasaki, Y., 2000, ‘Effect of Finger Geometry and
end Pressure on the Flexural Properties of Finger – Jointed Tropical African

Hardwoods’, Forest Product Journal 50(11/12), 53-63.

BS 373:1957; Methods of testing small clear specimens of timber.

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