Capacity of connection is controlled by shear capacity of dowel-type fasteners.

• Double surface spline or steel surface spline can be used for increased capacity.
• Spline may be fully above panels without routed surface where floor or roof coverings allow.
• Where using nails, consider specifying nail gun nails instead of common wire nails for constructibility, or collated screws instead of individual screws.
• Where screws are used instead of nails, cost increases and constructibility is moderate.
• Typical minimum plywood thickness is ½” nominal.
• Coordinate spline and rout width and thickness with panel supplier.
• In diaphragm design, consider that, for extreme in-plane bending, bearing in the connection will occur. It is preferable for the panels to bear on one another before bearing on the spline, which is achieved by specifying a larger gap between the spline and panel than between the two panels.