An experimental investigation on the tensile properties parallel to the grain of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) boards

Abstract

In recent decades, the proportion of hardwoods in European forests has increased, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Strength grading of hardwood is an important procedure to produce high-quality glued laminated timber and cross-laminated timber. The existing dataset lacks predefined thresholds and rules governing strength and stiffness indicators for hardwood. This study analyzes several visual and physical strength and stiffness-related parameters, including knot characteristics, density, and dynamic modulus of elasticity, focusing on their influence on the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity in tension parallel to the grain of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) timber boards. Destructive tensile tests were conducted on boards, and correlations between properties were analyzed. Additionally, the formulas for predicting the tensile strength and stiffness were derived with a coefficient of determination. The research findings can provide valuable insight into the behavior of European hornbeam, contributing to the standardization of strength grading and maximizing its mechanical utilization. Based on the research findings and compared with other tensile properties analysis, European hornbeam boards appear to have potential for use in the production of high-strength glued laminated timber.