The Principle of Mechanical Clamping via Drawboring
Drilling through mortise cheeks, inserting the tenon, and prick-punching an offset hole 2.5mm toward the shoulder creates an offset that pulls the joint together as the peg is driven.
Octagonal Riven White Oak Pegs (Trunnels)
Riving pegs from straight-grained oak rather than turning them on a lathe preserves unbroken wood fibers that flex through the offset hole without shearing.
Permanent Mechanical Locking Through Creep
As the driven oak peg bends through the misaligned holes, it exerts hundreds of kilograms of clamping force, permanently locking tenon shoulders against mortise faces.
⚠️ Technical & Safety Verification
The empirical methods outlined in this study reflect verified heavy timber framing & traditional truss engineering protocols and field measurements. Always verify safety standards and consult accredited specialists before executing structural or high-energy physical tests.