Research on mechanical properties of Mantou mortise-tenon joints in the post-and-lintel constructions of the traditional timber buildings in the South Yangtze River regions

In order to study the mechanical properties of the Mantou mortise-tenon joints in the post-and-lintel constructions of the ancient traditional timber buildings in the South Yangtze River Regions, the failure modes, hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, and rotation rigidities of the Mantou mortise-tenon joints under low cyclic loading were studied experimentally. Furthermore, with the consideration of the nonlinear contact influence of the mortise-tenon joint and the nonlinear stress-strain behavior of the timber material, the mechanical properties of the Mantou mortise-tenon joints were analyzed by ANSYS software. The results showed that the hysteretic curves of the Mantou mortise-tenon joints appear to be Z shape and have obvious pinch effects. During the process of the test, these mortise-tenon joints orderly pass through the elastic stage, yield stage and failure stage. The theoretical results agree well with the experimental results. The relationship among the in-plane rotational rigidity K1, out-of-plane rotational rigidity K2 and tortional rigidity K3 of the Mantou mortise-tenon joint is achieved and the ratio of them is about 12:1:2. The results could provide the theoretical base for computing analysis and repair design of the traditional timber buildings in the South Yangtze River Regions. ©, 2015, Editorial Department of Journal of Sichuan University. All right reserved.