Effect of Compression Ratio and Lay Angle of Metal Net on the Mechanical Properties of Metal Net-LVL Composite

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical strength of LVL, metal net was inserted into the LVL (metal net-LVL composite) made of fast-growing poplar. In this study, the effects of compression ratio and lay angle of metal net (which is lay angle for short in this paper) on the mechanical properties of the metal net-LVL composite was investigated in a comparative way. In order to find out the optimum compression ratio and lay angle, the modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and horizontal shear strength of the metal net-LVL composite were tested. The results showed that the effects of the compression ratio on MOR, MOE and horizontal shear strength were significant, with increasing of compression ratio, the values of MOR and MOE showed an earlier raised and later decreased state, and had the maximum values at 31%. The effects of lay angle on MOR and MOE were significant, the values of MOR and MOE increased first and then decreased with lay angle increasing, and the maximum values were obtained at 20°, though there were no significant effects on horizontal shear strength, there were the maximum values at 20°. Therefore, when the compression ratio was 31% and the lay angle was 20°, the metal net-LVL composite could obtain the optimal overall mechanical properties.