03
Jun
ARC Advance Timber Hub Leads Development of New National Timber Fastener Testing Standard
The ARC Research Hub to Advance Timber for Australia’s Future Built Environment (ARC Advance Timber Hub) has played a leading role in the development of FWPA Standard T01 Methods of test for mechanical fasteners and connectors Part 1: Category A & B Fasteners. Published by the Forest and Wood Products Association (FWPA), Standard T01 provides an updated and reliable framework for testing and determining the characteristic capacities of timber connections. It gives industry up-to-date methods to test how timber joints perform; including nails, screws, bolts and dowels used in sawn timber and engineered wood products.
Research leadership and industry collaboration
FWPA Standard T01 was developed through a FWPA‑funded ARC Advance Timber Hub research project, connected to Hub Project Performance of Building Components – Connection Systems for Extended Building Life, titled “Testing and characterisation of laterally loaded connections made from engineered wood product timber members, joined with steel dowels and bolts”. The project was supported by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) and undertaken by the ARC Advance Timber Hub at The University of Queensland, School of Civil Engineering.
The research was led by Professor Keith Crews, Director of the ARC Advance Timber Hub, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the technical program and guiding extensive engagement with industry stakeholders, manufacturers, engineers and testing laboratories throughout the development of the standard.
“This important FWPA project commenced just prior to COVID and has involved extensive consultations with industry, as well as peer review both locally and internationally,” Professor Crews said.
“The document has been developed in parallel with a program of full‑scale testing of connections comprised of bolts and dowels, to produce a testing standard that addresses industry needs, represents the state of the art for connection testing, and is extremely useful for end users designing modern timber connections.”
Professor Crews noted that the collaborative approach taken throughout the project was critical to its success.
“The development of this standard ensures that our industry continues to evolve with accurate, up‑to‑date testing methods aligned with international benchmarks. It has been a collaborative effort across research, manufacturing and engineering communities, with stakeholders reviewing and providing feedback to help refine and finalise this essential standard prior to publication.”
The ARC Advance Timber Hub acknowledges Professor Keith Crews’ leadership in advancing this work over the past six years, culminating in a standard that represents a significant step forward for Australia’s timber engineering sector.
Learn more
The FWPA Standard T01 is located on the WoodSolutions website. The release has been promoted by FWPA and Wood Central, highlighting its importance in strengthening confidence in timber fasteners and connection systems across the industry.
- WoodSolutions overview:
https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/fwpa-standard-t01-methods-test-mechanical-fasteners-and-connectors-part-1-category-b-fasteners - FWPA announcement:
https://fwpa.com.au/news/fwpa-releases-new-fastener-testing-standard-to-strengthen-confidence-across-the-timber-industry/ - Industry news coverage (Wood Central):
https://woodcentral.com.au/fwpa-standard-t01-timber-fasteners-connectors/