Glulam mechanical characterization

Abstract

The glued laminated timber (glulam) mechanical properties may be evaluated through the determination of the key mechanical properties of the lamellae that compose that element. Simple bending and tension parallel to the grain tests were performed in order to assess the strength class of three glulam elements. Regarding the bending tests, 8 samples were taken from a glulam beam and assessed. Values for the resistant bending tension and both local and global modulus of elasticity were obtained. For the tension parallel to the grain tests, a total of 120 samples were assessed. The samples were divided regarding the structural element from where they were extracted as well to the type of failure mode found in the tests. The values of the lamellae properties were then used for determination of the properties of the glulam material. The data gathered from the tests was assessed statistically and concluded that the mechanical properties of the glulam elements did not fulfill the required parameters of the normative requirements.