Analisis Kekuatan Sambungan Geser Ganda pada Batang Kelapa (Cocos nucifera L.) dengan Pasak dari Batang Kelapa

Abstract

Wood is one of the most preferred construction materials in Indonesia due to its light weight and ease of processing. However, one of the limitations of wood is its restricted length. Wood connections are a common solution to overcome this limitation by connecting one log to another, thereby achieving the desired span. This study aims to examine the physical properties, bearing strength, and bending yield strength of dowels, as well as the effect of varying wood thickness and dowel diameter on the strength of double shear connections in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) trunk using coconut trunk dowels. The results of physical properties testing showed moisture content, specific gravity, and wood density values of 15,72%, 0,81, and 0,85 g/cm², respectively. The connections were made using dowels with diameters of 12 mm, 14 mm, and 16 mm. The highest connection strength was obtained in the 2,5–5,0–2,5 cm thickness combination using a 16 mm dowel, with a value of 327 kg. Meanwhile, the lowest strength was found in the 2,5–2,5–2,5 cm thickness combination using a 12 mm dowel, with a value of 179 kg. Although an increasing trend in connection strength was observed, statistical analysis showed that dowel diameter, wood thickness, and their interaction had no significant effect on connection strength at a 95% confidence level. Through this research, it is expected to encourage the utilization of coconut trunks as materials for structural construction and furniture, as well as serve as a reference for further studies on wood connections.