Abstract
Strand-based engineered wood products (EWPs) have been widely employed in construction since their emergence in the 1970s. The use of strand-based EWPs can significantly increase the yield of forest resources by utilizing submarginal logs and branches. In this chapter, the strand-based EWPs, including oriented strand board (OSB), laminated strand lumber (LSL), and oriented strand lumber (OSL), are discussed in terms of their fabrication, properties, and uses in construction. Specifically, the manufacturing requirements for elements (i.e., strands), such as dimension, density, and moisture content, are introduced. The major manufacturing processes, such as selection of adhesives, pressing parameters, and thickness control, are also discussed. In addition, the engineering properties and uses of these EWPs are illustrated. Furthermore, some innovative applications of these products, such as hybrid cross-laminated timber, are presented in this chapter.
Highlights
Prior to availability of steel and concrete, wood has been widely used as the primary structural material in North America
Due to the advantages of oriented strand board (OSB) and its great success achieved in the wood panels market, laminated strand lumber (LSL) and oriented strand lumber (OSL), which are other forms of strand-based products, were developed as a substitute for laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and dimensional lumber in the 1990s
Oriented strand board (OSB) is multi-layered panels made from wood strands bonded together with adhesives under pressure and heat, which was first developed as the substitution of plywood in the 1970s [17]
Summary
Prior to availability of steel and concrete, wood has been widely used as the primary structural material in North America. As a result, engineered wood products (EWPs), such as glue-laminated timber (GLT), cross-laminated timber (CLT), structural composite lumber (SCL), and oriented strand board (OSB), were developed as the alternative, since they commonly provide better and more predictable physical and mechanical properties than solid wood lumbers [5]. Strand-based materials were invented as a substitute for plywood or other solid wood products to manufacture panel- and beam-like components in buildings. Due to the advantages of OSB and its great success achieved in the wood panels market, laminated strand lumber (LSL) and oriented strand lumber (OSL), which are other forms of strand-based products, were developed as a substitute for LVL and dimensional lumber in the 1990s. Strand-based engineered wood products have the advantages such as low requirements for raw materials, high-dimensional flexibility, and stable physical and mechanical properties [1].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
