Flexural Properties of Three-Ply Bolt-Laminated Pine Mats

Abstract

In the current study, three-ply bolt-laminated southern pine (Pinus sp.) 244 by 427 cm (8 by 14 ft) mats were evaluated. Mats were destructively tested in ⅓-point bending on a universal testing machine according to ASTM International standards. Twenty-eight unique specimens were destructively tested, and mean modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were calculated. According to the results both MOR and MOE values for the specimens were highly uniform. The mean MOR was 11.74 MPa (1,704 psi) and the mean MOE was 1,144 MPa (0.166 × 106 psi). Additionally, the values of parametric and nonparametric Fb (design fiber stress in bending values ) were reported as 4.05 MPa and 4.54 MPa (588 psi and 659 psi), respectively. The mechanical properties of these three-ply pine mats were also compared with other studies of mats from other species groups and design architectures.