Load carrying capacity of large mortise and tenon joints in wooden mitre gates

Wooden mitre gates are used for centuries in waterways and canals. For newbuilt as well as the renewal of such gates, a number of wood species is used, ranging from oak to dense tropical hardwoods. As mitre gates have high loads to withstand, their strength verification has become more and more important. As strength verification rules for the complex mortise and tenon joints are lacking in most design codes, a research project has been performed to understand better the stress flow in these connections. A literature survey, an analytical analysis and a FEM analysis have been performed within this research project. The results allow for a much better understanding of the stress flow and of the resistance of these joint types.