Nailed Steel Plate Connections : Strength and Ductile Failure Modes

This paper deals with theoretical and experimental investigations of nailed steel plate connections. For the experimental part, a total of 99 laboratory tests have been carried out in order to study failure mechanism and shear capacity of nailed steel plate connections. The testing programme comprised two nail lengths, two steel plate thicknesses and five nailing patterns. All tests related to loading of the plate in the direction of the grain of the wood. The nail patterns were designed to give ductile joint failure by yielding of the nails and/or bearing failure of the wood. The failure load was recorded and the mode and course of failure noted. For some of the specimens, deformation of the nails during loading was studied by means of an X-ray equipment. Deviations between the test results and contemporary consensus as manifested in the SS-EN 1995-1-1:2004 and the Johansen theory for ductile failure were found in several respects: development of the plastic hinges in the nails, influence of nail length, steel plate thickness and nail-to-nail and edge distances. The paper also presents an empirical equation based on multiple regression analysis of the test results was proposed as an attempt to predict the load-carrying capacity of nailed connections in shear

Effect of the COVID-19 Confinement Period on Selected Neuromuscular Performance Indicators in Young Male Soccer Players: Can the Maturation Process Counter the Negative Effect of Detraining?

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an unprecedented long-term cessation in athletes’ training routines. This study examined the effect of a 32-week detraining period, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, on selected neuromuscular performance indicators in 29 young male soccer players, assessed close to their adolescent growth spurt (age = 13.0 ± 0.8 years). Change of direction ability of both lower limbs (COD), linear sprint times (10 and 20 m), and vertical jump height (CMJ) was evaluated twice, once before the first national lockdown, and one week after the return to training activities. Paired-sample t-tests detected significant improvements in all three testing variables (COD: 2.82 ± 0.23 vs. 2.66 ± 0.22 s, p ≤ 0.005, 0.001, effect size [ES] = 0.91 to 1.05 for the right and left limb, respectively; 10 m: 2.12 ± 0.16 vs. 1.96 ± 0.15 s, p ≤ 0.001, effect size [ES] = 1.67, 20 m: 3.56 ± 0.3 vs. 3.42 ± 0.27 s, p ≤ 0.001, effect size [ES] = 1.02 and CMJ: 23.3 ± 7.5 vs. 24.5 ± 7.6 cm, p = 0.033, ES = 0.42). These results indicate that maturation-related adaptations can lead to enhanced change of direction, linear sprint, and vertical jump performance, even in the absence of exposure to any level of exercise. Soccer coaches and practitioners working with youth athletes should consider the stage of maturation when planning and implementing training programs aiming to enhance neuromuscular performance