Duration-of-load and creep effects in strand-based wood composite: a creep-rupture model

Abstract

In order to investigate the creep and duration-of-load (DOL) effects in thick strand-based wood composite products, a creep-rupture model is proposed linking the accumulated damage to creep deformation. Results from long-term constant load tests have been interpreted by means of this creep-rupture model, which is capable of representing the time-dependent deflection and time-to-failure data at different stress levels. The predictions of the model have been verified using results from ramp load test at different rates of loading. The creep-rupture model incorporates the short-term strength of the material, the load history and predicts the deflection history as well as the time-to-failure. As it is a probabilistic model, it allows its incorporation into a time-reliability study of wood composites’ applications.