EFFECT OF METAL PLATE CONNECTED JOINTS ON STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF RUBBERWOOD LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER

摘要

The effect of metal plate connected joints on strength properties of rubberwood (heveA braziliensis) laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is presented to study on the possible use of rubberwood LVL for structural purposes in the context of its strength performance. The making of the rubberwood LVL was carefully designed, selected and monitored in order to produce good quality LVL. Defect-free solid rubberwood was tested as control. Comparison is also made with studies carried out by Gupta in evaluating test results from various sources. Results of different tests on strength properties and joints with metal plate connected rubberwood LVL are presented, including direct comparisons with similar experimental results on selected solid rubberwood. Preliminary studies indicated that the teeth of the metal plate connector causes a certain degree of damage to the outer layer of the LVL and weaken the strength properties. However, it is concluded that this research has merit and requires further investigation on the surface lamination of the LVL and the teeth configuration of the metal plate connector.