Predicting the Joint Stiffness of Wooden Pallets Assembled with Lag Screws and Carriage Bolts

Pallets are used all over the world in the field of distribution. The strength values associated with a pallet have been thoroughly investigated by many different researchers; however, the stiffness values associated with pallet joints have not. The goal of this work was to investigate the stiffnesses associated with pallets joints made with lag screws and carriage bolts. It is important to understand that different materials, fastening methods, and design considerations can have a huge impact on the stiffness of the joint. This paper will discuss the various tests that were used to measure the actual stiffness of pallet joints and the results of those tests. Afterwards, the researchers detail their attempt to predict the stiffness using an equation created from the actual test data. Finally, by understanding the effects of these various factors, better pallet designs can be created that are both safer and stronger using the investigated alternative fasteners.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forest Products

Department dc:contributor.department

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Keller, Joseph David

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Horvath, Laszlo

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Bouldin, John Conrad
• Molina Montoya, Eduardo
• Loferski, Joseph R.

• joint stiffness
• wood pallet
• fasteners
• lag screw
• carriage bolt
• load capacity

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:36599

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/114736