Properties of heat-treated beech laminated veneer lumber reinforced with carbon fiber fabric

Abstract

Carbon fiber fabric reinforced laminated veneer lumber (RLVL) pieces were prepared by using heat-treated beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) veneers with polyurethane (PU) adhesive as the binder. Carbon fiber fabric was tested in three different locations with solid material and non-reinforced samples (on the bottom adhesive line, upper adhesive line, and upper and bottom adhesive lines-symmetrical). Prior to the manufacture of LVL and RLVL, heat treatment was conducted in a laboratory oven at three temperatures. These temperatures were 150, 170, and 190 °C. Tests were performed on LVL and RLVL to determine their air-dried density, modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE). Experimental test results showed that reinforcement with carbon fiber increased the air-dried density, MOR, and MOE. In addition, carbon fiber fabric placed symmetrically close to bottom and upper surfaces gave the highest MOR and MOE values. However, locating the carbon fiber fabric closer to the bottom surface tended to give higher mechanical properties for the reinforced LVL.