非洲木结构建筑紧固件：结构木材连接、桁架与防腐

No — ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) treated timber will rapidly corrode standard hot-dip galvanized fasteners. The high alkalinity of ACQ accelerates zinc corrosion, and once the zinc is consumed, the underlying steel corrodes. For outdoor ACQ-treated timber applications, specify stainless steel 316 or specialized ACQ-compatible coated fasteners. For indoor ACQ-treated timber (above ground, protected from direct moisture), some manufacturers claim HDG works, but SS316 remains the safer choice.

Technically, 'coach screw' and 'lag screw' are the same thing — a heavy wood screw with a hex head. In the UK and much of Africa, they are called coach screws; in North America, they are called lag screws. Both have a coarse thread designed for wood and require pre-drilling. The hex head is driven with a spanner or socket wrench. They are used for heavy timber connections where bolts are impractical.

Splitting is caused by the nail wedging the wood fibers apart. Prevention methods: Pre-drill pilot holes — for hardwoods and near end grain, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the nail diameter; for softwoods, pre-drilling is only needed near the end. Stagger nail positions — instead of driving two nails in a straight line, stagger them at slight angles; this reduces the splitting plane. Use nails with smaller diameter — spiral shank or annular ring shank nails split less than smooth shank. Nail to the side grain, not end grain where possible — end grain has much lower holding power and splits more easily. Maintain minimum edge distances — typically 2x nail diameter from the edge and 10x nail diameter from the end.