Development of cross-laminated timber composite panels from C16 timber

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is a material becoming increasingly popular, typically being manufactured using European supplies of high quality timber, commonly C24. This research investigates the potential of using timber of grade C16 to manufacture cross CLT panels with comparable mechanical properties to those manufactured from C24 timber. The use of locally sourced C16 timber will mean the CLT panels will be more sustainably attractive with reduced transportation costs. The effect of how drying and conditioning of the raw timber affects the panel strength characteristics has been considered. In addition, the study also investigates how the addition of a strengthening material, GRP mesh will affect the panels performance in bending and shear tests. A theoretical model has been created to determine strength characteristics of CLT panels depending on the presence and placement of the additional material and also depending on the panel dimensions.