Optimized utilization of raw materials for production of Cross Laminated Timber : Quality of laminations and its effects on mechanical properties of multi-layer panels

Abstract: Cross laminated timber (CLT) is a product increasingly demanded by the market. This has led to an interest among producers to further optimize the use of raw material. The aim of this investigation is therefore to analyze how the material properties in softwood lamellas, when used in different layers of a CLT plate, affect the stiffness and strength for CLT floor elements. This is done by analysis of CLT constructions with different dimensions, constructions and quality of lamellas. For the bending stiffness of CLT plates, the most important lamination property is the longitudinal modulus of elasticity. However, the stiffness to rolling shear of the lamellas has also large influence on the combined bending and shear stiffness of a CLT plate. The properties for the lamellas that has being used in this investigation are valid for Norway spruce (Picea Abies .L). For investigation and analysis of the lamellas and the CLT floors has Finite Element simulations by the software Abaqus (2017) along with hand calculations been used. A total of three different simulations were performed to accomplish the objectives set in this work.