When joints can't follow grain direction, strength can be increased with what?

When joints cannot align with the grain direction of the wood, using gussets is an effective method to enhance the strength of the connection. Gussets are triangular or flat plates that are added to the joint area. Their purpose is to distribute loads more evenly while reinforcing the joint against forces that could cause failure. By providing additional surface area for adhesion and mechanical support, gussets can significantly increase the overall stability and strength of the joint.

In contrast, reinforcement beams might be used in some structural applications, but they do not specifically address the issue of joint reinforcement under direct load scenarios. Dowels, while useful for aligning pieces of wood and creating accurate joints, do not enhance strength when the grain direction is not followed. Brackets can provide support, but they are not typically used to directly reinforce joints in the same way that gussets do. Therefore, using gussets is the most efficient and targeted approach to strengthen joints that are not aligned with the grain.