Investigation of performance and fracture monitoring of dowel-welded joint by micrographs of scanning electron microscopy

The aim of this study is to investigate the performance and fracture monitoring of dowel-welded joints by micrographs of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this regard, joints with hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and fir (Abies alba) members were constructed by using hornbeam smooth and grooved dowels with diameter of 10 and 12 mm. The joint members were cut according to EN 326-1 standard and after assembling, the joints were subjected to the tensile test according with EN 319 standard. The results showed that effects of independent variables on tensile strength was significant. The investigation of the scanning electron microscope images from the fracture zone of the welded joint member demonstrated that not only the fracture at the joint zone was not occurred, but also the welded area between the dowel and the joint member exhibited greater strength in comparison with wooden members during tensile loading. Also, the investigation of the image obtained from the SEM showed that the components of the welding line did not remain on the dowels with smooth surface, and the dowel surface was also affected by micro cracks, but the surfaces of grooved dowels were sound and part of the welding line was observed on the dowels. According to the results of this study, compared to conventional adhesives, using of welding in making joints with small diameter and smooth dowel, not only provides a joint with the proper structural performance, but also it provides optimum utilization of wood in making joint. This leads to raw materials savings, cost reduction of raw materials preparation and reduction of jointing time which altogether cause to reduce production costs.