Wednesday's Word of the Week: Exposed Connections

This week our engineering department returns with a new Word of the Week! This is the first in a series of three posts covering an important specification item for glulam structures: the visibility of connections.

Specifying "exposed connections" allows for all steel plates and hardware to be left visible. Exposed connections allow the most simplicity and flexibility in connection design, as well as minimizing the amount of fabrication for glulam members. Therefore, exposed connections offer the most economical structures. If no information regarding visibility of connections is provided in project drawings or specifications, then exposed connections are assumed.

Below are several examples, from a bridge truss under construction, to the interiors of finished buildings - all showing exposed connections:

Pedestrian bridge Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Watkins Glen Public Library, Watkins Glen, NY

Sidney Center Fire Department, Sidney Center, NY

Chaung Yen Monastery, Carmel, NY

Cabela's, East Hartford, CT