Characterization and Probabilistic Modeling of the Mesostructure of Parallel Strand Lumber

Abstract

Parallel strand lumber (PSL) is a composite made of oriented wood strands that have been glued and compressed together. Its market share in the residential construction industry is considerable, being used primarily as main load bearing members such as beams and columns. Unlike the fast-paced market growth of these products, computational development has been slow. The highly heterogeneous mesostructure of this material must be known and quantified in order to develop advanced computational tools for limit state analysis of PSL. Void heterogeneities play an important role in determining the failure modes and strength of PSL, in addition to material phase aberrations such as grain angle variations and defects. In this study, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) void characteristics were investigated. An experimental program along with a statistical survey was conducted to quantify the following 2D and 3D void characteristics in two