Modeling of a cylindrical laminated veneer lumber I: mechanical properties of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) and the reliability of a nonlinear finite elements model of a four-point bending test

Abstract

The weak point of cylindrical laminated veneer lumber (LVL) when its structure, used as a column in buildings, is submitted to compressive or flexural loads is the butt joint. To improve the understanding of the behavior of this complex structure, a finite elements analysis was used, which required linear and nonlinear mechanical properties to be input in the model. This article is the first of a series of reports concerning the determination of such properties, in this case hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa), which has been chosen for the purpose of the study. We used various methods to establish the elastic coefficients, viscoelastic parameters in three orthotropic directions, and plastic behavior in a direction parallel to the grain. As there are few references about the mechanical properties of this species, even in the elastic domain, we had to use a statistical model based on density to discuss the results obtained in the elastic domain. Then a finite element method model of a standard four-point bending test was set up to verify that the nonlinear mechanical models used for computation give accurate results that match those of the experiments.