Experimental Study of Bending and Bearing Strength of Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL) from Japanese Larch Veneer Strand

This study examined the structural performance of experimental parallel strand lumber (PSL) from a Larch veneer strand. The prototype of PSL from a Larch veneer strand was manufactured in the experimental laboratory and tested. The bending and dowel bearing strength were determined from the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and dowel bearing strength based on a 5% offset yield load. The test results indicated that the average MOR of PSL was higher than that of 2 × 4 dimension lumber, and the average MOE of PSL was lower than that of 2 × 4 dimension lumber. A linear relationship was observed between the MOR and MOE. The allowable bending stress of PSL was derived as specified in ASTM D2915 and compared with other research. The dowel bearing strength of PSL in parallel to the grain was approximately double that perpendicular to the grain of PSL. A comparison of several theoretical calculations based on each national code for the dowel bearing strength was conducted, and some theoretical equations produced results closer to the experimental results when it was parallel to the grain, but the difference was higher in the case perpendicular to the grain. The test results showed that PSL made with Japanese larch veneer strands appeared to be suitable for a raw material of structural composite lumber (SCL) appeared to be used as a raw material for SCL.