Abstract
Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT), traditionally assembled with steel fasteners, is a code-recognized structural system that has been widely utilized in North America for decades and identified as “Mechanically Laminated Decking” in the International Building Code. According to the US NLT Design & Construction Guide, in practice, the design of NLT is often governed by serviceability considerations, particularly deflection (vibration control), while strength requirements are still satisfied. NLT is produced according to defined sizes and fastening spacings. However, reliance on steel-based fasteners material limits NLT panels’ adaptability for future reuse and industrialized material customization during off-site manufacturing. This study evaluates the stiffness performance of NLT assembled with specific biobased fastener (Lignoloc®) in comparison with conventional steel nailed NLT through Beam-on-Elastic-Foundation analytical modelling, experimental tests, and finite element modelling. Experimental tests indicated that bio-based NLT displayed 4% lower stiffness, while finite element simulations showed a 12% reduction compared to steel-fastened NLT assemblies. These results suggest that bio-based fasteners can achieve stiffness performance closely comparable to conventional, code-compliant steel NLT systems.