Evaluation of the mechanical properties of Pinus taeda wood from cross laminated timber plates

Abstract Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) plates are used in the construction industry both due to their high architectural and structural performance and for sustainability reasons. Because it is an orthotropic composite product, knowledge of the mechanical characteristics of its raw material in the directions of use is relevant to the structural design of such plates. This paper analyses the experimental results of samples extracted from industrialised CLT plates. The plates were produced with wood of the species Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.). Compression tests parallel and perpendicular to the grain, as well as bending tests were carried out. The conformity of the results distribution with Gaussian distributions was verified. Johnson’s transformation was used for results not compatible with the normal distribution. In addition, the correlation coefficient, characteristic values and strength classes of CLT layers are presented and discussed. A significant association between the variables and nonlinear behaviour in the force × displacement relationship of one of the samples was identified. The results presented in this study can be used in CLT plate design, considering the difference in materials between layers by analytical, numerical or reliability methods.