Which mechanism limited the maximum span of medieval timber-framed buildings before the advent of iron connectors?

💡 Explanation

When timber frames bear load, shear stress concentrates at mortise-and-tenon joints because the wood fibers are weak in shear perpendicular to the grain, leading to joint failure as the span increases. Therefore, shear stress limits span, rather than buckling, tensile failure, or sway, which depend on column slenderness, wood strength, or building height respectively.

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