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Preliminary evaluation of a density-based lumber grading method for hem-fir CLT manufacturing

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Abstract

In the manufacturing process of cross-laminated timber (CLT), lumber selection and grading are essential steps for the quality control of CLT. In this work, a density-based lumber grading method was preliminarily evaluated for hem-fir CLT manufacturing. Based on the univariate regression model of hem-fir lumber modulus of elasticity (MOE) and its density, a density-based grading model was developed. To identify the effectiveness of the model, 470 pieces of thin hem-fir lumber, were segregated into four grades: E1, E2, E3, and E4 based on their density values. Two 3-ply thin-type customized CLT panels were also fabricated with E2 grade lumber as the parallel layer and E3 grade lumber as the transverse layer. Then, five CLT beam specimens were cut from each panel for flatwise bending test. Comparing the experimental and the theoretical values of the MOE, the relative errors were found to be + 11.95% (using shear analogy theory) and − 7.21% (using gamma theory), respectively. By comparison, for this hem-fir lumber, the accuracy of this density-based grading method is close to that obtained by other means of non-destructive testing. However, it seems to be simpler and more cost-effective for the potential hem-fir CLT manufacturing in some circumstances.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Alberta/Zhejiang International Technology Partnership (ITP) Program, Enterprise Practical Training Program for Young Teachers in Higher Vocational Colleges of Jiangsu province (2019QYSJ071), National First-class Disciplines (PNFD), and Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Insitutions (PAPD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China

    Hao Li, Libin Wang, Wentao Yu & Zhongqiang Fan

  2. College of Material Science and Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China

    Brad Jianhe Wang & Guanben Du

  3. Jiangsu Breeding and Cultivation of Colored Leaf Trees National Permanent Scientific Research Base, Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong, 210037, China

    Peixing Wei

  4. Ningbo Sino-Canada Low-Carbon Technology Research Institute, Ninghai, 315600, China

    Brad Jianhe Wang

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  1. Hao Li
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Correspondence to Libin Wang or Brad Jianhe Wang.

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Li, H., Wang, L., Wang, B.J. et al. Preliminary evaluation of a density-based lumber grading method for hem-fir CLT manufacturing. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 79, 967–975 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-020-01653-3

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