Abstract
The main objective of this work was to study the structural viability of using small-diameter logs of Uruguayan Loblolly/Slash pine, mainly from thinning operations, to design cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. A visual grade named “CTH” (coniferous thinning) was proposed, and 45 specimens of sawn timber boards were tested, resulting in 51% lower bending strength than that of the minimum strength class C14. Subsequently, 20 CLT panels were manufactured and experimentally tested, the results showed that the bending strength of the CLT panels was 43% above that of the individual layers. Additionally, the structural performance of the CLT panels for use in floors was calculated, and the thickness-span relationship depending on strength class and imposed load are presented. Results showed than the use of CTH timber to design CLT floors implies a volume (m3/m2) 17% higher than that using C24 timber.
Highlights
Timber construction is an increasing global phenomenon as both the result of environmental policies and the need to increase construction productivity [1,2]
The results show that the bending strength of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels was 43% higher than that of the individual sawn timber boards in the layers, which were graded as CTH, while the mean value of the local modulus of elasticity was 13% lower
A new visual grade, named CTH, was established for Uruguayan Loblolly/Slash pine from thinning operations, whose bending strength was 51% lower than that corresponding to the minimum strength class (C14) as defined in the European Standard EN 338 [13]
Summary
Timber construction is an increasing global phenomenon as both the result of environmental policies and the need to increase construction productivity [1,2]. Such policies apply to the single-family home building sector, and to multistory building sector too. CLT is an engineered wood product, developed in Europe in the 90s, which is manufactured from an odd number of orthogonal layers of sawn boards glued together with a structural adhesive under pressure, and is commonly used as flooring and walls in mass-timber buildings. According to EN 338 [13], these strength classes correspond to a bending strength and longitudinal modulus of elasticity of 24 MPa and 11.0 GPa, respectively
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