Experience saved in the construction industry shows that the timber portal frames with semi-rigid connections at knee joint exhibit permanently increase displacements at the knee and apex point. Normally, timber portal frame with semi-rigid knee joint connection is made with mechanical fasteners located in double circles and cannot be designed without relevant rotation at connection during structures’ exploitation time. The only way to increase connection rigidity is to rise distance from fasteners location at connection, but at the same time, the tension and shear stress become significant at the external section of members. The previous experience is obtained by a model testing showing that deformations at semi-rigid connections are non-linear. These were tests under short-term load and did not disclose creep effects, which can be significant. This study is aimed at the examination of increasing deformations with time under constant static load (creep effects) in semi-rigid dowelled connection. Experimental test models were made and set under long-term load in controlled environmental conditions (heated laboratory room). Results show a significant creep influence to decrease connection stiffness. Corresponding numerical test of orthotropic 3d model by Dlubal RFEM software tools was performed analysing the value of expected deformations. Results of the numerical test showed that friction between timber elements and extra nuts on bolts can increase connection stiffness. Research results in this stage show that the creep can affect connection stiffness more than expected. Also, experimental test results showed lower deformation values comparing with the ones obtained by the numerical test.

In this article, the topic under discussion is the development of deformations in semi-rigid knee joints made of dowel type fasteners and consequences expected regarding overall deformations of timber portal frame structure. The use of semi-rigid connection resolves the problem of transportation, but development of small rotation in connection reduces the stiffness of the connection that becomes significant during service life. It is assumed that the rotational stiffness modulus Kφ (kNm∙radE−1) is the relevant characteristic of semi-rigid connection. Timber portal frame structure (span 30 m) designed with dowel type fasteners located around two circles has been subjected to different loading trials by using Dlubal software (RFEM). Results of a numerical study of portal frame model demonstrate the importance of characteristics of semi-rigid knee joints for design. It is found that developing deformations in the semi-rigid knee connection produce up to 90% bigger vertical displacement at an apex point and 96% bigger horizontal displacement comparing with the rigid knee joint model.