We tested the joints of plasterboards and wooden elements

Research team Structural Engineering of CTU UCEEB carried out cyclic tests of joints between plasterboards and wooden beams using two types of staples and one type of nail for the joint stock company Saint-Gobain Construction Products CZ.

The tests were performed according to EAD 070001-02-0504, which is based on standard EN 12512 Timber structures - Test methods - Cyclic tests of connections with mechanical fasteners. During the tests of the joints between plasterboard and wooden beams using two types of staples and one type of nail, we alternated between compression and tension. The load was applied by displacement with a gradual increase every three cycles. The limits of displacement in each step were controlled by a miniature wireSENSOR MT (3x3 cm) wire sensor built into the specimen to sense the change in distance of the wooden elements in its axis.

From the values obtained, we determined the displacement at the yield point and the ultimate displacement for both compression and tension. Subsequently, we calculated the ductility in tension and compression. We used the Python programming language to create envelope curves and derive displacement values from the working diagrams.