Effect of Edge Distance on Sheathing-to-Frame Nail Connections: Experimental and Statistical Analysis

Sheathing-to-frame nail connections (SFNCs) are integral to light-frame wood shear walls. This study presents experimental results from six groups of specimens subjected to monotonic loading to analyze failure modes and load-displacement relationships. The study primarily focuses on the effect of nail edge distance on the performance of the connection, considering other factors such as OSB sheathing panel thickness and loading direction relative to the wood grain. The results demonstrate that, within a certain range, increasing the nail edge distance can significantly enhance the load-bearing capacity and ultimate displacement of the connections. However, the effect on stiffness is more complex, exhibiting nonlinear characteristics. The study also proposes a statistical evaluation framework for SFNCs, which includes data processing, random variable distribution fitting, and evaluation of fitting errors. The results indicate that both the maximum load-bearing capacity and stiffness of the connections are best described by a normal distribution. Monte Carlo simulations and Sobol sensitivity analysis were then performed to assess the impact of various parameters on model outputs.