Cross-Section Size Effects on Compressive Failure Properties Parallel to Grain of Chinese Larch LVL

Abstract

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL), characterized by its efficient utilization of raw materials, flexible size design, extensive prefabrication, and favorable mechanical properties, is an engineering wood frequently employed in the post and beam construction with shear walls. As one of the predominant fast-growing wood species in China, Chinese larch (Larix gmelinii) emerges as a potentially ideal raw material for producing structural LVL. To explore the viability of utilizing fast-growing Chinese larch as LVL compression members, a series of compression tests was conducted on the fast-growing Chinese larch LVL (CLP-LVL) under various cross-section sizes. Apparent influence of member depth and width on the compressive properties parallel to grain of CLP-LVL was experimentally observed. Based on the cross-section size variables, the prediction methods for the compressive failure load and strength parallel to grain of CLP-LVL were proposed. The cross-section size effects on compressive strength parallel to grain of CLP-LVL were theoretically quantified, and the related size effect parameters were suggested to be comprehensively considered for further compressive property analysis of CLP-LVL compression members. CLP-LVL with a comparable compressive strength parallel to grain could provide favorable compressive properties for compression members in civil engineering. The current research experimentally revealed the feasibility of utilizing fast-growing Chinese larch (Larix gmelinii) to produce structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL), providing LVL manufacturers with more raw material choices of fast-growing woods. The fast-growing Chinese larch LVL (CLP-LVL) has comparable compressive properties, making it a promising choice for applications in civil engineering as compression members. This study identified the compressive failure load and strength parallel to grain of CLP-LVL, and comprehensively investigated the related cross-section size effects. Considering these cross-section size effects, the prediction methods for compressive failure load and strength of CLP-LVL were proposed. The practitioners may use the proposed prediction methods to evaluate the compressive performance of CLP-LVL compression members. Besides, the related cross-section size effect parameters of compressive strength were quantified in this study. The practitioners may use the obtained compressive failure load and strength of CLP-LVL, as well as its related cross-section size effect parameters for further engineering design CLP-LVL compression members. This study aims to provide a critical theoretical support for the application of CLP-LVL in civil engineering.