Measurement of rolling shear modulus of Cross Laminated Timber: Exploratory study using downscaled specimens under variable span bending tests
The purpose of this study was to measure the rolling shear modulus of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), which was achieved by conducting 3-point bending tests with variable span using downscaled sandwich specimens. Two types of sandwich specimens were employed: steel-wood-steel (SWS) and wood-wood-wood (WWW). Experimental results from SWS specimens were verified with those predicted from WWW ones through the shear analogy method. Effects of span-to-depth ratio (l/h) and growth ring orientation on rolling shear modulus (GRT) were also examined. It was found that the average deflection of WWW specimens tested at l/h of 6.5 could be well predicted using the shear analogy method based on true elasticity of modulus (Em) and GRT of the cross layer measured using SWS specimens under variable span tests. The results also showed that the cross layer of `in-between' growth ring orientation could gain the higher rolling shear modulus than that of flat sawn or quarter sawn one.
Development of evaluation methodology for rolling shear properties in cross-laminated timber (CLT)
The rolling shear modulus is very low, leading to rolling shear failure in the cross layer of cross-laminated timber (CLT). The overall objective of this thesis work was to develop an appropriate methodology for measuring the rolling shear properties of CL T. This research consists of three article format chapters, which were aimed at: 1) obtaining a better understanding of advantages and disadvantages of using the bending test and twoplate shear test for determining the rolling shear properties of 3-layer CLT, 2) investigating the influence of growth ring orientation and laminates thickness of cross layer on the rolling shear properties, and 3) verifying the feasibility of two-plate shear test method for measuring the rolling shear properties of 3-layer CL T beam. It is recommended that the two-plate shear test be used as a testing method for measuring the rolling shear modulus of a cross layer, which can be used to calculate the deflection of a 3-layer CLT beam using the shear analogy method at a given span-to-depth ratio ranging from 6 to 50. An adjustment factor (a) was proposed to predict the deflection under the centre-point bending test at various span-to-depth ratios. The two-plate shear test method can also be used to measure the rolling shear strength, and can provide a reasonable estimate of the load-carrying capacity of 3-layer CLT beam at a relatively large span-to-depth ratio, but a conservative estimate at a small span-to-depth ratio. In summary, it shall be feasible to adopt the two-plate shear test for determining the rolling shear modulus and strength of cross layer in CLT. ii
A New Vacuum Pressure Infiltration CFRP Method and Preparation Experimental Study of Composite
In order to prepare a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) with ideal microstructure and properties, a new vacuum pressure infiltration CFRP method is proposed based on an analysis of existing CFRP preparation process methods. Research on composite material preparation systems was carried out by using this new method principle. The system mainly includes a fiber pre-forming module, a vacuum heating infiltration module, a hot-press curing molding module, and a data acquisition control module. Under the conditions of natural curing at 0 MPa + 6 h + 25 °C, vacuum heating curing at –0.05 MPa + 30 min + 80 °C, and hot-press curing at 0.7 MPa + 5 min + 50 °C, a two-dimensional (2D) CFRP with excellent microstructure and properties was successfully prepared. Observing the microstructure of the prepared composite material, it can be found that the inside of the composite material was sufficiently and uniformly infiltrated, and common preparation defects such as holes and delamination were effectively controlled. Through the performance test, the bending strength of the material reached 790 MPa.