ISO 16670-2003 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 16670:2003 — Timber structures — Joints made with mechanical fasteners — Quasi-static reversed-cyclic test method. This International Standard specifies a quasi-static reversed-cyclic laboratory test method to obtain the cyclic behaviour of joints made with mechanical fasteners in timber structures, for use in deriving parameters needed for seismic design (backbone/envelope curves, strength, stiffness and energy dissipation characteristics).

Abstract

ISO 16670:2003 provides a cyclic test procedure and associated displacement schedule to produce representative seismic demands on laterally loaded timber joints made with mechanical fasteners. The method defines how to develop envelope (backbone/skeleton) curves and how to record hysteretic behaviour to derive parameters used in seismic design; it is not intended for joints loaded in withdrawal and does not set national code values for seismic parameters.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard); under systematic review / to be revised (replacement draft under development).
• Publication date: December 2003 (2003-12).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.080.20 (Timber structures).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2003). A Committee Draft for a revised edition (ISO/CD 16670) is under development.
• Number of pages: 9 pages.

Scope

The standard applies to joints made with mechanical fasteners in timber structures that are subjected to lateral seismic action. It prescribes a quasi-static reversed-cyclic displacement protocol to produce representative earthquake demands on joints, gives procedures to generate envelope/backbone curves from cyclic tests and to record hysteresis for derivation of strength, stiffness and energy-dissipation parameters. It explicitly excludes joints subject to withdrawal forces and does not itself set code-specific parameter criteria (those are left to national standards or building codes).

Key topics and requirements

• Quasi-static reversed-cyclic displacement test method tailored to seismic demands on timber joints.
• Defined cyclic displacement schedule and procedures for sequencing cycles and amplitudes.
• Methods to derive envelope/backbone (skeleton) curves from cyclic response data.
• Measurement and recording of hysteretic behaviour to obtain strength, stiffness and energy dissipation characteristics.
• Specimen setup and boundary conditions representative of lateral loading (not for withdrawal-type loading).
• Reporting requirements to allow use of derived parameters in seismic design and research.

Typical use and users

Used by structural and seismic engineers, timber-structure researchers, testing laboratories, connector and fastener manufacturers, and standards/technical committees. Typical applications include laboratory qualification of connector/joint behaviour under cyclic lateral loading, generation of input parameters for seismic design models and research into ductility and energy-dissipation of timber connections.

Related standards

Standards and codes commonly referenced alongside ISO 16670 include Eurocode 5 (EN 1995‑1‑1) for timber design and connection rules, seismic design standards and national building codes that specify parameter values, and comparable cyclic test methods such as ASTM E2126 (cyclic reversed-load test methods for lateral force resisting elements). A revision of ISO 16670 is in development (ISO/CD 16670) to update the test method.

Keywords

timber structures; joints; mechanical fasteners; cyclic test; reversed-cyclic; quasi-static; seismic testing; backbone curve; envelope curve; hysteresis; connection testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 16670:2003 is an ISO test-method standard that defines a quasi-static reversed-cyclic laboratory procedure to characterise the lateral seismic behaviour of timber joints made with mechanical fasteners.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test procedure, cyclic displacement schedule, how to derive envelope/backbone curves and how to record hysteresis for determining strength, stiffness and energy-dissipation parameters for laterally loaded timber joints. It does not apply to withdrawal loading and does not prescribe code values for seismic parameters.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural engineers, timber connection designers, test laboratories, manufacturers of connectors and fasteners, and standards committees use it for deriving data for seismic design and research.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2003 edition is published and was last reviewed/confirmed in 2019; it remains current but is under systematic review and a revised edition (Committee Draft ISO/CD 16670) is under development, indicating an upcoming revision process. Users should check the national standards body or ISO for the latest status before use in code-critical work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO work on timber structures (ICS 91.080.20) and complements broader timber design standards (for example Eurocode 5 / EN 1995 and national timber codes) and other cyclic test methods used for lateral force resisting systems.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: timber, joint, mechanical fastener, cyclic test, quasi-static, reversed-cyclic, seismic, backbone curve, hysteresis, connection testing.