2009 Eastern Conference

Joint Busting: Try Your Skill at Saratoga

This event is a North American rendition of tests done at Frame 2009 in the UK. Bring your best scarf joint to be stressed to the max. The contest will be held Saturday in the Exhibit Hall. You need not be present to win.

We will load splices in bending, NOT axial tension/compression. We suggest that each specimen have a descriptive name, selected by the designer/builder (for example, "Titanic" or "Big Bertha" or "Finnigan's Folly"). Please do NOT leave it to the testers to do this.

Testers/judges: Ben Brungraber, Mack Magee, Joe Miller.

Specifications

• Two @ 8" x 8" sections
• Specimen to be 8' long, when splice is assembled
• The "splice zone" is limited to 24" long; centered on specimen
• There are no particular rules on species and methods. Steel optional.

Other specs

• We will be loading with a single transverse point load in center.
• 24,000 pound capacity. Maximum deflection will be less than 3".
• Testers can limit/truncate tests for safety concerns at deflections past an inch.

Photos by Ben Brungraber