The possibility to use a side-timber in glulam beams manufacturing for structural applications

Abstract

The possibility to use a side-timber in glulam beams manufacturing for structural applications. The aim of presented study was to determine the mechanical properties of three-layered glued structural beams manufactured with the use of side-timber pieces as an outer layers and the fragmented main yield as an inner layer. Four types of beams were pressed and tested in terms of four-point bending strength and modulus of elasticity. Variants differed from each other in the direction of the fibers in the inner layer and in the presence of adhesive layer between the fragmented wood. Studies have shown that the bending strength of the beams depended on the calculation method. Moreover, no significant effect of the inner layer arranging method on the bending strength of the beams was found. The values of modulus of elasticity (MOE) were low. The presented study is a starting point for further investigations concerning the possible way of the rational application of fragmented timber pieces and the side-timber for structural applications.