Comparison of mechanical properties of solid wood and laminated veneer lumber fabricated from Turkish beech, Scotch pine, and Lombardy poplar

Abstract

Selected mechanical properties of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) prepared from Turkish beech (Fagus orientalis L.), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra) veneers bonded with polyvinyl acetate and urea-formaldehyde adhesives and solid wood specimens of the same species were tested to evaluate the effects of species, adhesive type, and veneer grain orientation. The mechanical tests evaluated were compression and tensile strengths parallel to the grain, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, cleavage strength perpendicular to the grain, and block shear. Test results showed that the effects of wood species on all of the mechanical properties were statistically significant. Also, adhesive type was found to have a significant effect on the strength properties of the LVL specimens. But, considering the design flexibility with different forms and sizes and the opportunity to better utilize low-quality wood, LVL can be recommended as an alternative to solid wood. Results also showed that LVL could be utilized instead of solid wood material in different areas such as building and furniture constructions because most strength properties of LVL were at least as good as solid wood of the same species.