The strength and stability of any structure depend
heavily on the fastenings that hold its parts
together. One prime advantage of wood as a
structural material is the ease with which wood structural
parts can be joined together with a wide variety of fasten-
ings—nails, spikes, screws, bolts, lag screws, drift pins,
staples, and metal connectors of various types. For utmost
rigidity, strength, and service, each type of fastening requires
joint designs adapted to the strength properties of wood
along and across the grain and to dimensional changes that
may occur with changes in moisture content.
www.fpl.fs.fed.us
