Effect of Primary Spruce Lamella Aging on the Bending Characteristics of Glulam Beams

Abstract

Glued laminated (glulam) beams are used in the roofs, ceilings and walls of buildings as well as in bridges and towers. At present, with the limitation of tree harvesting, the production of glulam beams from recycled wood sources is implemented with the proviso that their mechanical properties and resistance to pests, fire and weathering will not be aggravated. This work deals with the primary effect of aging Norway spruce wood (Picea abies Karst. L.) lamellas on the moduli of rupture (MOR) and elasticity (MOE) in bending of three-layer glulam beams composed of sound and aged lamellas and polyurethane (PUR) glue. Three methods of lamella aging were used: (A) natural, lasting 60 years in the form of roof trusses with a greater or lesser degree of bio-attack by woodworm (Anobium punctatum De Geer); (B) artificial, caused by increased temperatures from 160 to 220 °C for 4 h; (C) artificial, caused by 2% water solutions of inorganic preservatives, namely, CuSO4 x 5H2O, ZnCl2, H3BO3 or (NH4)2SO4, for 28 days. The lowest MOR values were determined for glulam beams in which all three lamellas or two surface lamellas had a greater degree of bio-attack (60.5 MPa, a decrease of 25.9%) or were exposed to primary aging at 220 °C (62.6 MPa, a decrease of 23.3%). On the contrary, the exposure of lamellas to 160 or 180 °C did not significantly influence the MOR of beams (76.0–82.7 MPa, an average decrease of 1.6%). The MOE of glulam beams ranged from 7540 to 10,432 MPa without an obvious influence of the method of lamella aging or their location in the beams. Linear correlations between the MOR or MOE of glulam beams and the shear strength (σ) of glued joints, if both composite types consisted of similarly aged lamellas, were only slightly significant or insignificant.