Researchers to develop structural composite lumber models

Sep 12, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are to develop computer models capable of quickly predicting the strength of structural composite lumber (SCL), Timber Industry Magazine reported. SCL is a broad term used to describe engineered wood products made by layering dried and graded wood veneers with waterproof adhesives into billets, such as laminated veneer lumber, laminated strand lumber and OSB. Peggi Clouston, associate professor of wood mechanics, and Sanjay Arwade, assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, have received a $300 thousand grant from the National Science Foundation to carry out the research, which is hoped will enhance the use of SCL throughout the US construction industry. Ms Clouston said the development of new SCL products was time-consuming and costly as each had to be laboratory tested to determine its strength, but that this could be mitigated with the development of predictive computer models. “By making the predictive capability widely available, his project makes a first step in advancing the practice of wood design to a state comparable to that of steel ad concrete,” said Ms Clouston. “Building products manufacturers and engineers will have a great interest in this.” Ms Clouston and Mr Arwade said the research into SCL would help establish a “scientific foundation” on which to investigate other wood products such as glulam and plywood.