Reliable timber and innovative wood products for structures - Beam-type structural elements made of LVL beech wood

Abstract

Timber as natural resource is highly complex due to its anisotropic nature and natural inhomo-geneities. The mechanical and physical properties are influenced by duration of load, moisture and temperature. As a consequence, the reliability of structural timber elements is often inadequate and the full potential of timber in the building and construction sector has not been exploited yet. The project aims at developing sustainable innovative and reliable timber structures using laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made of beech wood. Particular attention will be paid to the reliable characterisation of the mechanical and thermo-physical properties of beech LVL, the development of reliable, efficient and economic connections and the development of safe and economic design methods for elements and connections.