Full-scale construction and testing of stress-laminated columns made with low-grade wood

Abstract

Stress lamination is a simple construction technique widely used in timber bridge decks. This study presents a new application of stress lamination for making timber columns. Using prestressing rods and friction forces instead of glue, numerous connections and twenty-five full-scale columns were built with low-grade wood and structurally tested. The results show how stress-laminated columns display comparable buckling performance to solid timber and glulam columns. A six-month testing period with novel connection details further confirms how prestress losses can be reliably controlled. This work highlights the broader potential and performance of stress lamination in modern timber engineering and building design.