Connectors for joining timber structures

Abstract

A structural connector for joining mass timber structural components is disclosed. The structural connector is made of a material comprising concrete. In some embodiments, the material comprises reinforced concrete. One or more mounting channels dimensioned for a fastener to insert there through may be defined within the concrete. The fastener may be configured to fixedly secure the connector to the timber structural components that are desired to be joined. In some embodiments, one or more reinforcing members are embedded in the concrete, which may be in addition to fiber reinforcing in the connector. The described connector may be used to join two or more of timber purlins, beams, columns, posts, walls, etc. to form a structural assembly.

1 . A structural connector being made of a material comprising concrete, the connector being configured to join two or more mass timber structural components. 
     
     
         2 . The structural connector of  claim 1 , wherein one or more mounting channels are defined within the concrete, dimensioned to receive a fastener therethrough for fixedly securing the connector to the mass timber structural components. 
     
     
         3 . The structural connector of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more mounting channels are precast into the concrete. 
     
     
         4 . The structural connector of  claim 1 , wherein one or more voids are defined in the concrete. 
     
     
         5 . The structural connector of  claim 4 , wherein the total volume of the one or more voids in the concrete is in the range of from about 1% to about 5%. 
     
     
         6 . The structural connector of  claim 4 , wherein the total volume of the one or more voids in the concrete is in the range of from about 2% to about 3%. 
     
     
         7 . The structural connector of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete comprises fiber-reinforced concrete. 
     
     
         8 . The structural connector of  claim 7 , wherein the fibers in the fiber-reinforced concrete comprise one or more of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, glass fibers and steel fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein one or more reinforcing members are embedded in the concrete. 
     
     
         10 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more reinforcing members comprise one or more of reinforcing bars (rebars) and threaded rods. 
     
     
         11 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing bars are made of a material comprising steel or fiberglass. 
     
     
         12 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the connector along a longitudinal axis thereof comprises a rectangular-shape, “I”-shape or “T”-shape. 
     
     
         13 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein two or more connectors are fixedly secured by one or more reinforcing members to form a combined structural connector. 
     
     
         14 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the mass timber structural components comprise one or more of purlin, beam, column, post and wall. 
     
     
         15 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises more than 90% v/v of concrete. 
     
     
         16 . The structural connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises more than 95% v/v of concrete. 
     
     
         17 . A structural assembly comprising mass timber structural components joined by one or more structural connectors as defined in  claim 1 .