Hi NH,

The problem that you describe is a classic and yes the solution described is not untypical.

Back in the days when the world was still portrayed in black and white in Timber Framers News (see No 15 - 1990) Jim Evans provided some words of caution regarding the use of bolted connections applied to wood especially where uneven bolt tightening could lead to localised wood failure. There is also the problem of joining a new piece of (green or semi seasoned) wood to a faily old (dry) piece of timber where shrinkage considerations in the new piece could result in an effective loosening of the bolts on the new side of the joint.

Freddie Charles in his book on Conservation of Timber Buildings expresses a disdain for hidden steel (flitch) plates but approves external (fish) plates because of the ability to inspect and maintain same.

Did you ever follow up on your referenced project and see what happened in reality ?

Thanks for keeping me in mind and "keep on hewing"

Ken Hume