Thermal degradation of bending strength of plywood and oriented strand board: a kinetics approach

The construction industry has relied heavily on wood and wood-based composites, such as oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood for timber frame construction. Therefore, it is highly imperative to categorize the response of wood-based composites when exposed to elevated temperatures for a sustained period of time. The essence of fire-resistant structural design is to ensure that structural integrity be maintained during and after the fire, prevent collapse and maintain means of egress. Another aspect is to assess post-fire structural integrity and residual strength of existing structure. The objective of this project was (a) to study the effect of exposure time on bending strength (MOR) of OSB and plywood at elevated temperatures, (b) to interpret any relationships between different temperature and time of exposure using a kinetics model for thermal degradation of strength, and (c) to develop a master curve representing temporal behavior of OSB and plywood at a reference temperature. As much as 1,152 samples were tested in static bending as a function of exposure time and several temperatures. Strength (MOR) of both OSB and plywood decreased as a function of temperature and exposure time. These results were fit to a simple kinetics model, based on the assumption of degradation kinetics following an Arrhenius activation energy model. The apparent activation energies for thermal degradation of strength were 54.1 kJ/mol for OSB and 62.8 kJ/mol for plywood. Furthermore, using the kinetics analysis along with time–temperature superposition, a master curve was generated at a reference temperature of 150°C which predicts degradation of strength with time on exposure at that reference temperature. The master curves show that although plywood has a higher initial strength, OSB performs better in terms of strength degradation after exposure to elevated temperature.     

Thermal degradation modeling of flexural strength of wood after exposure to elevated temperatures

Abstract

Wood is being used heavily in single-family residential dwellings. Therefore, it is important to categorize their response when exposed to elevated temperatures for a sustained period of time. An important aspect of structural fire design is to assess postfire residual strength of existing structures. This study addresses this issue by developing models to predict strength degradation of wood after exposure to elevated temperature. The objectives were to (a) study the effect of exposure time on bending strength [Modulus of Rupture (MOR)] of wood at elevated temperatures, (b) interpret any relationships between different temperature and time of exposure using kinetics and a statistical approach, and (c) compare the two approaches. Two hundred thirty-two samples in total were tested in flexure as a function of exposure time and several temperatures. MOR of wood decreased as a function of temperature and exposure time. Rate of degradation was higher at higher temperatures. These results were fit to a simple kinetics model, based on the assumption of degradation kinetics following an Arrhenius activation energy model with apparent activation energy of 37.4 kJ/mol. A regression-based statistical model was also developed. The kinetics-based model fit the data better with one less parameter and predictions consistently matched the observed values, making the model preferred over the regression approach.     

Lateral strength of nailed timber connections with decay

Loading tests were conducted on nailed connections with decay due to a brown rot fungus. The effect of the decay on the lateral strength of nailed connections was investigated. After loading tests, the sound and decayed regions of a nailed connection were observed in the cross section, which was cut parallel to the grain through the nailed point. The nailed connections with decay showed a low load during initial deformation when the main and side members had a decayed region in the boundary between them. The nailed connections showed low load after yielding when the sound region in the main member decreased. The yield load of nailed connections with decay was calculated based on the yield theory. The model of calculations had sound and decay regions within a member. The yield load of nailed connections obtained by the calculation based on the yield theory agreed with the results obtained by experiments when significant decay in a direction parallel to the grain was observed in the main and side members. This result indicates that the yield theory can estimate the yield load of nailed connections not only with a sound member, but also a member that is partly or wholly decayed.     

胶合木-钢夹板螺栓连接滞回性能试验

【目的】为探明胶合木-钢夹板螺栓连接的动力性能和抗震性能,确保连接件在车辆、机械振动等动力荷载下的可靠性。【方法】针对胶合木-钢夹板螺栓连接的构造特点,考虑胶合木厚度和螺栓直径之比(厚径比)、螺栓顺纹间距、螺栓并列和错列布置方式等参数的影响,设计制作了4类13组共39个胶合木-钢夹板螺栓连接件,在低周反复荷载作用下进行滞回性能试验。【结果】试验结果表明:在单螺栓连接中,连接部位的破坏模式逐渐由"螺栓刚直"向"双铰"转化,胶合木销槽破坏模式逐渐由销槽整体承压破坏向两端部挤压破坏转变,试件滞回曲线基本都呈现饱满的弓形和棱形,具有良好的耗能能力和抗震性能,但其承载能力较低。在多螺栓连接中,螺栓和胶合木的破坏模式分别以"双铰"破坏和销槽端部挤压破坏为主,试件滞回曲线均呈现饱满棱形,该类试件在承载能力、抗震性能和耗能能力上均有大幅提升;随着螺栓顺纹间距的增大,试件的承载能力不断增大,但螺栓顺纹间距在200 mm时,极限荷载增幅趋于平缓,初始刚度增涨大幅放缓,且整体刚度退化与螺栓顺纹间距为250 mm时基本相同;螺栓并列布置滞回曲线饱满程度好于错列布置;螺栓双排布置承载能力比单排布置的承载能力更高,刚度退化更小。【结论】胶合木-钢夹板螺栓连接具有较好的耗能能力、抗震性能及延性性能;螺栓顺纹间距在200 mm时,抗震性能最佳;螺栓错列布置的抗震性能比并列要好,螺栓双排布置的抗震性能更优越。     

云杉胶合木钢板斜螺钉连接的剪切性能研究

为准确评价斜螺钉连接钢 木节点的剪切性能,探明其受力机理,以云杉胶合木、钢板和自攻螺钉作为研究材料,测试不同荷载方向与受力情况下斜螺钉连接节点的承载性能,将试验数据与国外规范中的计算模型进行对比,提高了侧边钢板 胶合木(钢 木)斜螺钉连接节点承载性能的预测能力。结果表明:自攻螺钉与剪切面之间的角度变化对其在钢 木节点承受剪 压复合应力的承载力影响不明显,当偏转为剪 拉复合应力时,节点承载力明显增大,并在30°~45°获得最大值;剪 压复合应力时,现行EC5公式计算剪 压节点的极限承载力非常不安全;EC5的刚度预测结果在剪 压复合应力区和垂直剪切面钉入时,与试验值吻合度很高,但对剪 拉区节点的滑移模量没有预测性;将Tomasi模型应用于斜螺钉连接钢 木节点滑移模量理论计算时,在45°~90°时与试验值吻合度极高。单颗自攻螺钉的抗拔刚度计算节点滑移模量的方法极为有效,具有较高的借鉴意义。     

Estimation of shear strength of dowel-type timber connections with multiple slotted-in steel plates by European yield theory

The shear strength of dowel-type timber connections with multiple slotted-in steel plates was estimated based on European yield theory. The values calculated based on the yield theory were compared with experimentally obtained results. An experiment was performed on dowel-type timber connections with two and three slottedin steel plates under lateral loads parallel to the grain. The yield mode of the dowel-type connection assumed in this study corresponds approximately to the failure mode of the connection obtained from the experiment. The shear strength of the dowel-type connections calculated based on the yield theory showed good agreement with the results for shear strength obtained in the experiment. The yield theory was useful for estimating the shear strength of the doweltype connection with multiple slotted-in steel plates. The shear strength of the dowel-type connection was greatly affected by the spacing of the steel plates, the number of steel plates, and the timber thickness. The values of these parameters that showed the proper shear strength of the dowel-type connection could be estimated based on the yield theory. Part of this paper was presented at the 9th Timber Engineering Forum of the Japan Timber Engineering Society, December 2005     

Method for measuring viscoelastic properties of wood under high temperature and high pressure steam conditions

A method for measuring the viscoelastic properties of wood under high temperature and high pressure steam was developed using a testing machine with a built-in autoclave. A newly developed load cell capable of resisting a steam pressure of 16kgf/cm² and a temperature of 200°C was installed in the autoclave. This load cell could be used to determine precisely the loads while steaming at temperatures from 100°C to 200°C. In addition to load-detection problems, it was necessary to avoid the nonuniform thermal degradation of wood during the measurement process under steaming at high temperatures. This nonuniform degradation could be minimized by shortening the time required for the wood to attain thermal equilibrium using specimens conditioned to the fiber saturation point. According to this method, a stress relaxation curve for sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood being compressed while steaming at 180°C was obtained. The stress was seen to decrease rapidly with time, reaching almost zero at 3000s.     

Investigation of the structural performance of glulam beam connections using self-tapping screws

The characteristic strength properties of structural glulam connections assembled with self-tapping screws were examined following the ASTM testing procedure in the study. Four screw types with various numbers were designated at each connection of the beam–girder structure with different nailing schedules. The results indicated that the maximum load capacity and dissipated energy of a connection fastened with 10-mm self-tapping screws were higher than those with 8-mm screws. And, the screws with both double-threaded sections and fully threaded shanks were higher than those of single-threaded screws. An improvement on the initial stiffness of a connection was found when the number of self-tapping screws increased. The connections assembled with the toe-nailing approach from the beam’s bottom surface provided higher maximum loading capacity, medium initial stiffness, and a larger ductility factor, resulting in higher dissipated energy with less fragile failure. The derived allowable loading values for a beam–girder connection fastened with self-tapping screws using the face-nailing approach were close to the code values for bolted and pinned connections. And, a toe-nailing approach provided higher allowable loads for connections than using a face-nail approach.     

三种连接方式结构保温板(SIPs)传热性能研究

SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)在实际工程中常用的连接方式有三种,连接部位是墙体的热桥部位,影响墙体的整体传热性能。笔者采用一维稳态热箱法对三种连接方式进行测试,分别对比覆面板为杉木指接材SIP墙体三种不同连接方式的热流密度、传热均匀性、温差分布等热工性能,结果显示使用小尺寸SIP作为墙体间连接具有较低的传热系数和较稳定的传热性能,综合传热性能较好。     

Fracture analysis of perpendicular to grain loaded dowel-type connections using a 3D cohesive zone model

The strength and fracture behavior of dowel-type connections with stiff dowels loaded perpendicular to grain was studied by nonlinear 3D finite element (FE)-analysis. A cohesive zone model was used to model the perpendicular to grain fracture of the wood, i.e., failure by wood splitting along the grain. The influence of load eccentricity and dowel-to-loaded-edge distance was studied for a plate type of geometry loaded in tension and for a simply supported beam loaded in bending. The strength found from the FE-analysis is compared to strength from experimental tests with centric loading, showing overall good agreement. Numerical results for centric loading are further compared to strength predictions according to the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM)-based design criterion present in Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1:2004). The comparison showed good agreement regarding the relative influence of connection geometry, but the design criterion appears, however, to yield unconservative strength predictions. The results of the FE-analyses regarding dowel load eccentricity showed that such loading conditions may yield significantly lower strengths compared to centric loading. An approximate engineering method to account for the strength reduction due to load eccentricity is, furthermore, presented.     

Numerical analysis of furniture constructions

Summary Trying to rationalize principles of furniture design and construction whose objective function is minimization of material use and maximization of the strength of elements and construction nodes, a research project was undertaken with the objective to work out, write and test the effectiveness of a program designed for rigidity-strength analysis of furniture side frames constructions. The program provides results of computation of values of cross section forces, node translocations and dimensions of connectors (dowels or tenons) in selected places of connection of component elements. It was found that tenon connections in constructions of chair side frames ensure sufficient strength and rigidity of the system and maintain optimal dimensions of cross sections of component elements. Dowel connections can replace tenon joints reaching the same strength, but the areas of cross sections of the elements to be joined will have to increase from 18 to 45%. The strength of connections and their dimensions do not constitute the function of the position of the connecting member in the chair and the rigidity of the chair side frame depends directly on the position of the connecting member and increases as the position of this element is lowered. The developed computer program allows accurate, rapid and multiple rigidity-strength analysis of furniture frame constructions made of wood.     

Using master curves based on time–temperature superposition principle to predict creep strains of wood–plastic composites

To verify master curves obtained based on time–temperature superposition principle for wood–plastic composites (WPCs), a 220-day long-term creep test was conducted under an unconditioned environment. In this study, WPCs were made by extrusion with various formulations; using mountain pine beetle-attacked lodgepole pine flour and high-density polyethylene as raw materials, as well as maleated polypropylene as coupling agent. The results showed that the effect of naturally elevated temperature during the summer months caused additional increases in creep strain. The information obtained from the conventional creep study method may be insufficient to reflect the practical application. Comparisons between long-term data and the master curves showed that the master curves tended to overestimate the real creep strain of large specimens and that the deviation increased with time. The prediction of the master curve agreed more reasonably with the long-term data for coupled WPC products, whereas the master curves showed considerable overestimation for the uncoupled ones. In general, the master curves cannot precisely predict the long-term creep strain, but merely provide conservative estimations.     

杨木水热预处理过程中水解反应动力学研究

探讨了预处理温度和预处理时间对杨木水热预处理液中各组分含量的影响,同时采用改良的Saeman双相动力学模型建立了预处理液中木糖和葡萄糖的反应动力学方程,通过非线性拟合确定了不同条件下木糖和葡萄糖生成及分解的反应速率常数,由阿伦尼乌斯公式线性拟合得出木质纤维原料水解反应活化能.杨木预处理过程中木聚糖易降解部分活化能(Ef...     

High-temperature mechanical properties and thermal recovery of balsa wood

This article presents an experimental study into thermal softening and thermal recovery of the compression strength properties of structural balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale). Balsa is a core material used in sandwich composite structures for applications where fire is an ever-present risk, such as ships and buildings. This article investigates the thermal softening response of balsa with increasing temperature, and the thermal recovery behavior when softened balsa is cooled following heating. Exposure to elevated temperatures was limited to a short time (15 min), representative of a fire or postfire scenario. The compression strength of balsa decreased progressively with increasing temperature from 20° to 250°C. The degradation rates in the strength properties over this temperature range were similar in the axial and radial directions of the balsa grains. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed only small mass losses (<2%) in this temperature range. Environmental scanning electron microscopy showed minor physical changes to the wood grain structure from 190° to 250°C, with holes beginning to form in the cell wall at 250°C. The reduction in compression properties is attributed mostly to thermal viscous softening of the hemicellulose and lignin in the cell walls. Post-heating tests revealed that thermal softening up to 250°C is fully reversible when balsa is cooled to room temperature. When balsa is heated to 250°C or higher, the post-heating strength properties are reduced significantly by decomposition processes of all wood constituents, which irreversibly degrade the wood microstructure. This study revealed that the balsa core in sandwich composite structures must remain below 200°–250°C when exposed to fire to avoid permanent heat damage.     

Strength performance of mortise and loose-tenon furniture joints under uniaxial bending moment

We determined the effects of adhesive type and loose tenon dimensions （length and thickness） on bending strength of T-shaped mor- tise and loose-tenon joints. Polyvinyl acetate （PVAc） and two-component polyurethane （PU） adhesives were used to construct joint specimens. The bending moment capacity of joints increased significantly with increased length and thickness of the loose tenon. Bending moment capacity of joints constructed with PU adhesive was approximately 13% higher than for joints constructed with PVAc adhesive. We developed a predictive equation as a function of adhesive type and loose tenon dimensions to estimate the strength of the joints constructed of oriental beech （Fagus orientalis L.） under uniaxial bending load.     

Time-Temperature Superposition in Chinese Fir Dynamic Viscoelastic Behavior Response

Time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP) was used to examine dynamic viscoelastic properties of Chinese Fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata) wood at an extremely low moisture content(0.6%).Storage modulus and loss factor data were obtained at different constant temperatures ranging from 25℃to 150℃in frequency multiplexing experiments(0.1 -20 Hz).All viscoelastic curves at other temperatures were shifted along the log-frequency axis to superimpose them on a reference temperature(i.e.135℃in this study) curve.The extended storage modulus and loss factor isothermal master curves were over a wide range of frequency.The shift factors were determined to be a function of temperature and fitted into the Arrhenius equation with the least squares method.The results showed that the storage modulus data were excellently fitted into the Arrhenius model,indicating the validity of the model to characterize the dynamic stiffness behavior of dry wood in the range of 25-150℃using the TTSP. However,the time-temperature equivalence was not able to predict the damping properties.     

Nonlinear superposition model for the behavior of bolted joints

Summary A nonlinear superposition model was developed to assess the load-slip behavior of bolted joints consisting of a single bolt subjected to lateral loading at angles of load to grain. This model characterizes the bolted joint as a pair of orthogonal nonlinear springs aligned parallel and perpendicular to the grain of the wood members. The spring stiffnesses are quantified by a logarithmic or exponential function depending upon whether the connection softens or stiffens with increasing slip. The spring deformations are superimposed to determine the movement of each component of the connection. Deformations of connected members are added vectorially to determine their relative displacement. Spring constant were determined experimentally using metal-to-wood connections. Thick steel side plates were employed to limit the system deformation to the wood component. Wood members were evaluated at angles of load to grain ranging from zero to ninety degrees. Once the spring constants had been determined, the model was executed to predict the load-slip behavior of wood-to-wood connections. These predictions were compared to experimentally obtained load-slip values. The results indicate that the nonlinear superposition concept is a valid approach to predict joint deformation at angles of load to grain.The authors express their gratitude to the Fulbright-Hays Foundation and the Colorado State Agricultural Experiment Station for their financial support of this study     

Withdrawal capacity of washers in bolted timber connections

Abstract

The European yield model (EYM) has been accepted to determine the load-carrying capacity of structural timber connections. However, experiments of bolted connections are still not in agreement with the EYM unless the additional bearing capacity offered by the washers is taken into account. This bearing capacity is depending on the compressive strength perpendicular to grain of the structural timber. Tests results carried out with M16 and M24 washers on solid and glued laminated timber are used to verify the reliability of three strength capacity predicting models, one of which is an analytical model while the other two are empirical. It was concluded that the analytical model is the superior one. This model should be incorporated in all new structural timber design code revisions.     

Canopy position and needle age affect photosynthetic response in field-grown Pinus radiata after five years of exposure to elevated carbon dioxide partial pressure

Photosynthesis of tree seedlings is generally enhanced during short-term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2 partial pressure, but longer-term studies often indicate some degree of photosynthetic adjustment. We present physiological and biochemical evidence to explain observed long-term photosynthetic responses to elevated CO2 partial pressure as influenced by needle age and canopy position. We grew Pinus radiata D. Don. trees in open-top chambers for 5 years in sandy soil at ambient (36 Pa) and elevated (65 Pa) CO2 partial pressures. The trees were well watered and exposed to natural light and ambient temperature. In the fourth year of CO2 exposure (fall 1997), when foliage growth had ceased for the year, photosynthetic down-regulation was observed in 1-year-old needles, but not in current-year needles, suggesting a reduction in carbohydrate sink strength as a result of increasing needle age (Turnbull et al. 1998). In 5-year-old trees (spring 1997), when foliage expansion was occurring, photosynthetic down-regulation was not observed, reflecting significantly large sinks for carbohydrates throughout the tree. Net photosynthesis was stimulated by 79% in trees growing in elevated CO2 partial pressure, but there was no significant effect on photosynthetic capacity or Rubisco activity and concentration. Current-year needles were more responsive to elevated CO2 partial pressure than 1-year-old needles, exhibiting larger relative increases in net photosynthesis to elevated CO2 partial pressure (98 versus 64%). Lower canopy and upper canopy leaves exhibited similar relative responses to growth in elevated CO2 partial pressure. However, needles in the upper canopy exhibited higher net photosynthesis, photosynthetic capacity, and Rubisco activity and concentration than needles in the lower canopy. Given that the ratio of mature to juvenile foliage mass in the canopy will increase as trees mature, we suggest that trees may become less responsive to elevated CO2 partial pressure with increasing age. We conclude that tree response to elevated CO2 partial pressure is based primarily on sink strength and not on the duration of exposure.