Thesis
MECHANICAL AND BONDING PERFORMANCE OF CLT PANELS MANUFACTURED FROM THERMALLY MODIFIED LUMBER
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
07/2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007033
Abstract
Driven by a growing emphasis on sustainability in construction and a surge in demand for timber structural members, such as cross laminated timber (CLT), as eco-friendly alternatives to steel and concrete materials, methods to enhance the durability of mass timber products against moisture and decay have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Thermal modification of wood has shown promise in improving moisture resistance and decay resilience. However, using thermally modified mass timber products in structural applications necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their mechanical properties, durability, and bond performance. This knowledge gap currently hinders its integration into design codes and standards. This study focuses on the critical aspects of thermally modified Western Hemlock used to manufacture CLT panels, contributing to the development of design guidelines for incorporating these products in sustainable building practices. The findings could revitalize Western Hemlock use in the Pacific Northwest, potentially boosting the region's forestry and wood products sectors economically.
Experimental tests were conducted on small clear specimens, sawn lumber specimens, and full CLT specimens to assess the mechanical properties and bond performance of thermally modified CLT panels. These tests followed ASTM D143, ASTM D198, and PRG-320-19 standards. The results, supported by analytical investigation, aim to develop design recommendations and establish allowable design values for thermally modified CLT panels. This study's outcomes will directly influence building codes and design standards, promoting the broader adoption of thermally modified CLT panels in sustainable construction.
This research demonstrates that 3-ply CLT panels made from thermally modified Western Hemlock lumber meet the mechanical and structural performance requirements for flexural and shear strength according to PRG-320 standard. The panels also passed block shear and delamination tests, meeting bond performance criteria for thermally modified CLT panels.
This study concluded that thermally modified Western Hemlock CLT panels met performance requirements and possess high mechanical properties, paving the way for future research and design. It should be noted that more testing on a larger specimen population is necessary to gain higher confidence in the results, as the material available for this research was limited.
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Details
- Title
- MECHANICAL AND BONDING PERFORMANCE OF CLT PANELS MANUFACTURED FROM THERMALLY MODIFIED LUMBER
- Creators
- Matthew Clark
- Contributors
- Pouria Bahmani (Chair)Karl Englund (Committee Member)Vikram Yadama (Committee Member)Hui Li (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 338
- Identifiers
- 99901152437501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis