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Flexural properties of laminated veneer lumber manufactured from ultrasonically rated red maple veneer : a pilot study.

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The study described in this report was conducted to examine the flexural properties of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufactured from red maple veneer. Ultrasonically rated veneer, which was peeled from low value red maple saw-logs, was fabricated into 1/2-in.-(1.3-cm-) and 2-in.-(5-cm-) thick LVL billets. The flexural properties of the billets and of corresponding small specimens cut from the billets were determined through flatwise and edgewise static bending tests. Ultrasonic wave propagation time and corresponding dynamic modulus of elasticity of red maple veneer were found to be well correlated to strength and stiffness of LVL billets. The edgewise bending modulus of elasticity of the 2-in.-(5-cm-) thick LVL showed a positive relationship to the veneer layup pattern in terms of ultrasonic rating of veneer. The results of this preliminary study demonstrate that veneer peeled from low value red maple sawlogs may be used to manufacture high quality LVL products. The structural performance of red maple LVL billets might be improved through ultrasonic rating of individual veneer sheets.

Keywords

Red maple veneer, laminated veneer lumber, flexural properties, ultrasonic rating.

Citation

Wang, Xiping; Ross, Robert J.; Brashaw, Brian K.; Verhey, Steven A.; Forsman, John W.; Erickson, John R. 2003. Flexural properties of laminated veneer lumber manufactured from ultrasonically rated red maple veneer : a pilot study. Res. Note FPL-0288. Madison, WI : United States Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, 2003. 5 pages.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6339