Stressed-Skin Panels of Mixed Construction—Creep Behavior

Abstract

The long-term laboratory tests on wood-based stressed-skin panels (SSP) of mixed construction were conducted in a controlled climate [20°C, 65% relative humidity (RH)] under a constant load. The purpose was to compare the measured results with theoretical predictions and to illustrate the principle of different degrees of creep in component parts and joints involving partial composite action. The elastic solution for a panel with partial composite action was adapted to creep conditions by using an effective modulus of elasticity for all the component parts and joints. The elastic modulus was reduced for each specific time to obtain the effective modulus of elasticity by using a simple creep model, namely a “power function.” The predictions of the long-term behavior using this simple method appeared to be very good. After being verified with the measured results, the model was then used for analyses of the sensitivity of creep in various component parts and joints in an entire SSP.