Yermán, L.Zhang, Y.He, J.Xiao, M.Ottenhaus, L.M.Morrell, J.J.2025-12-182025-12-182022Construction and Building Materials, 2022; 353(129113):1-100950-0618https://hdl.handle.net/11541.2/43030The effects of wetting and exposure to two decay fungi were evaluated on nailed slash pine sapwood timber assemblies. Sterilization had no significant effect on connection properties, but exposure to a brown (Fomitopsis ostreiformis) or a white rot fungus (Pycnoporus coccineus) was associated with 40–60 % losses in ultimate strength over 34 weeks. Attempts to more closely assess changes in wood around the fasteners using localized Janka hardness or longitudinal compression were confounded by density differences between earlywood and latewood. The results highlight the effects of decay on connector behaviour and suggest the need for more precise methods for characterizing the environment around the fastener.enCopyright 2022 Elseviertimber connectionsdecayFomitopsis ostreiformisPycnoporus coccineuswhite rotsbrown rotsultimate strengthslash pinegalvanized nailsJournal article10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.1291132-s2.0-85138072567