Determinación de las propiedades mecánicas de las vigas de madera laminada como elementos estructurales

Abstract

Timber, despite being a material that has been used for construction over the years, has lost some relevance in recent decades due to uncertainty of its mechanical properties. With the technology of laminated elements, the use of wood has re-emerged in the structure processes, since the implementation of beams of any length, shape and section. Based on its lightness and resistance, all the characteristics make it a very versatile material for engineering. It´s study and application in our country is not common due the lack of knowledge and technology. This project focuses on the manufacture and determination of mechanical properties of glue laminated timber beams for structural purposes in 3 different Ecuadorian forest classes. The project´s first objective is the determination and manufacture methods of beams based on current literature. For this, key elements for the fabrication of a single compact element are defined; such as the type of wood, gluing of lamellae and pressing schedule. In the second part, the study focuses on obtaining mechanical properties such as bending and stiffness of the beams made from continuous and finger jointed laminas. In the final stage, the data obtained from the laboratory tests is compared to determine the percentage of strength loss from the finger joint. Finally, these results are analyzed, to consider the use of glue laminated timber beams, with a lower implementation costs, in the constructive processes.