Struts were frequently hollow members formed by spindling out two pieces of wood and then glueing them together, usually using a tongue in groove joint to strengthen the joint.

For instance, wooden-framed buildings often collapse after the wind blows the roof off, which can be prevented by strengthening the joints used for tying down the roof.

The dextrose solution helped strengthen his joints.

All the large pithoi featured circumferential bands of thicker clay strengthening the joints where sections of the pithos were lowered onto each other and fused together.