11. Interpretation of Results
11.1 Yield Load—The bearing yield load (see Fig. 6) is
determined by the following procedure:
11.1.1 Fit a straight line to the initial linear portion of the
load-deformation curve.
11.1.2 Offset this line by a deformation equal to 5 % of the
fastener diameter.
11.1.3 Select the load at which the offset line intersects the
load-deformation curve. In those cases where the offset line
does not intersect the load-deformation curve, the maximum
load shall be used as the yield load.
NOTE 9—Compute the dowel-bearing strength by dividing the yield
load by the fastener diameter and the specimen thickness.
11.2 Proportional Limit Load—The proportional limit load
(see Fig. 5) is the load at which the load-deformation curve
deviates from a straight line fitted to the initial portion of the
load-deformation curve.