CELLUWOOD Project Final Workshop

4th September 2014, Lleida (Spain)

AIDIMA
Miguel ngel Abin

WP 8: ASSESSMENT OF CELLUWOOD
MATERIAL

1. MANUFACTURING OF THE BEAMS TO BE TESTED

Previously, in WP7 some lignin, PUR and MUF beams where manufactured at
TECNIFUSTA for interim testing. Those interim tests led to changes in the
formulation of the lignin resin by CHIMAR in order to achieve a satisfactory and
effective final resin.
In 2014, 20 complete beams (nominal dimensions: 120 x 120 x 2200 mm) were
manufactured at TECNIFUSTA in collaboration with CHIMAR and AIDIMA:

10 beams with their lamellae glued by the final lignin resin developed in the
project (CELLUWOOD beams).
10 beams with their lamellae glued by commercial PUR.

All lamellae were made of timber classified as C24.

10 commercial beams (nominal dimensions: 120 x 120 x 2200 mm) made with MUF
resin were used in order to compare strength and behaviour with the other 20 beams.
The commercial beams are classified as GL24h.
All beams were made of Picea abies wood.
3

Measurement of the moisture content of timber

Preparation of the lignin resin for its

application
4

10

11

PUR beams

12

13

14

2. PERFORMANCE OF THE GLUE LINES IN CELLUWOOD

BEAMS (LIGNIN RESIN)
Shear test of glue lines
EN 392 (Glued laminated timber. Shear test of glue lines).

15

Shear strength (fS) of the glue line 1

Shear strength (N/mm2)

10
9
8

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1

10

Shear strength (fS) of the glue line 2

10

According to EN 386, the shear

strength of each glue line shall be
at least 6,0 N/mm2. RIGHT

Shear strength (N/mm2)

9
8
7
6
5

4
3
2
1
0

10

16

Percentage wood failure (PWF) of the glue

line 1
90
80

PWF (%)

70
60

50
40
30
20
10
0
1

10

Percentage wood failure (PWF) of the glue

line 2
100
90
80

According to EN 386 RIGHT

PWF (%)

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1

10

17

Average value

SD

fS (N/mm2)

7.37

0.75

PWF (%)

66.0

16.4

All test pieces fulfilled the requirements of EN 386 (Glued laminated timber. Performance
requirements and minimum production requirements) regarding shear strength and
wood failure percentage (EN 392). These results point out very clearly that gluing Picea
abies lamellae with the lignin resin is very effective.

18

Delamination of glue lines

EN 391 (Glued laminated timber. Delamination of glue lines)
EN 391 is a glulam production standard, which determines if the product is up to
standard. This test method measures the delamination of flue lines after a treatment
consisting of soaking in water followed by fast drying at a high temperature; that is, in
effect, an accelerated ageing test method.
Stresses in the wood perpendicular to the glue line put a strain on the joint, which either
fails in the flue line (causing a delamination), or creates cracks in the wood. If the
delamination value after treatment is low (0% after one cycle, <5% after 2 cycles and
<10% after 3 cycles using Method A, which is the treatment method for glulam in service
class 3 according to EN 386), the bonding is seen as being successful, and the product
can go to the market.

19

After each of the three cycles specified in Method A of EN 391, the total delamination
percentage and the maximum delamination percentage were 0% for all 10 samples.
Therefore, the samples fulfilled the requirements of EN 386 for glue integrity in
structures of service class 3.
Considering this and the results from EN 392, all samples fulfilled the requirements of
EN 386 regarding glue line integrity and strength for structures of service class 3.

Pressure vessel used by AIDIMA for the first two cycles of Method A (EN 391)
20

Two test samples after extracting them from the pressure vessel,
following Method A (EN 391).

Test sample after the final

drying process specified
in Method A (EN 391).
There is no delamination
in the glue lines.

21

3. MOISTURE RESISTANCE OF CELLUWOOD BEAMS

(LIGNIN RESIN)
All 10 beams were conditioned were in normal environment conditions (relative humidity
65 + 5 %; temperature 20 + 2 C) for 7 days. The points used for measuring moisture
content are shown in the following figure.

22

The maximum difference in moisture content between lamellas is <2%, so the dimensional
stability of CELLUWOOD beams is excellent.
23

Volumetric shrinkage
The standards used for determining the volumetric shrinkage of CELLUWOOD beams were a
combination of UNE 56533 (Physical-mechanical characteristics of wood. Determination of
linear and volumetric shrinkage) and ISO 4858 (Wood - Determination of volumetric shrinkage)
standards.
The International Standard specifies two methods for the determination of the volumetric
shrinkage of wood. The method chosen in the project was the mercury volumenometer method,
used for test pieces of any shape.

24

25

Total volumetric shrinkage:

Volumetric shrinkage coefficient:
Total linear shrinkage: SL

Sample

(%)

(%)

SL (parallel to
glue line) (%)

SL (parallel to
glue line) (%)

SL (longitudinal) (%)

10.82

0.25

4.18

5.02

1.16

10.33

0.27

4.01

4.46

1.23

10.76

0.26

3.96

5.14

1.07

10.32

0.30

4.01

4.67

1.03

10.45

0.25

4.11

4.81

1.18

10.34

0.29

4.00

5.08

1.14

9.98

0.24

4.14

4.74

1.01

10.43

0.28

3.95

5.06

1.11

10.64

0.31

4.14

4.91

1.20

10

10.91

0.25

4.19

4.87

1.12

Average

10.50

0.27

4.07

4.88

1.13

Standard
deviation

0.28

0.02

0.09

0.21

0.07

The total volumetric shrinkage (10.5%) and the volumetric shrinkage coefficient (0.27%) are
significantly lower than those corresponding to Norway spruce timber used for the beams
(12.6% and 0.45%, respectively). With respect to shrinkage, CELLUWOOD beams are
appropriate for outdoor use. They have a good dimensional behaviour regarding
shrinkage, compared with standard timber.
26

Volumetric swelling
The standard used for determining the volumetric swelling of the CELLUWOOD beams was
ISO 4860 (Wood - Determination of volumetric swelling). That Internation Standard specifies
two methods for the determination of the volumetric swelling of wood. The method chosen in
the project was the mercury volumenometer method, used for test pieces of any shape.

27

Total volumetric swelling: max

Volumetric swelling: n

Sample

max (%)

n (%)

10.13

2.87

9.91

3.10

10.31

2.93

10.40

3.21

10.28

2.97

10.02

3.01

9.96

2.85

10.38

2.93

10.09

3.11

10

10.21

2.90

Average

10.17

2.99

Standard
deviation

0.17

0.12

The total volumetric volumetric swelling (10.17%) is significantly lower than those
corresponding to Norway spruce timber used for the beams (13.2%). With respect to
swelling, CELLUWOOD beams are appropriate for outdoor use. They have a good
dimensional behaviour regarding swelling, compared with standard timber.

28

3. NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTS (ULTRASOUNDS)

PUR BEAMS

29

Results for PUR beams:

Good quality timber in all lamellae: C24-C40
MOE of lamellae between 10900 and 15700 N/mm2
All glue lines without cracks, holes or discontinuities

30

COMMERCIAL MUF BEAMS

GL24h

31

Results for commercial MUF beams:

Good quality timber in all lamellae: C24-C40
MOE of lamellae between 11551 and 14897 N/mm2
All glue lines without cracks, holes or discontinuities

32

LIGNIN BEAMS

33

Results for lignin beams:

Good quality timber in all lamellae: C20-C40
MOE of lamellae between 10425 and 16534 N/mm2
All glue lines without cracks, holes or discontinuities

34

4. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SMALL SAMPLES FROM

CELLUWOOD BEAMS
The general properties of the Norway spruce (Picea abies) timber used in CELLUWOOD beams
were determined at AIDIMA Laboratories.
STANDARD

RESULT

UNE 56531

498

EN 12183-1

10.4

UNE 56537

80.1

Modulus of Elasticity

UNE 56537

10160

Total volumetric shrinkage (%)

UNE 56533

12.6

Shrinkage coefficient (%)

UNE 56533

0.45

Linear shrinkage. Radial direction (%)

UNE 56533

4.14

Linear shrinkage. Tangential direction (%)

UNE 56533

7.78

UNE 56533

0.26

UNE 56532

0.0025

UNE 56535

476

Compression strength perpendicular to grain.

Radial face (N/mm2)

UNE 56542

97.5

Compression strength perpendicular to grain.

Tangential face (N/mm2)

UNE 56542

95.6

Shear strength (N/mm2)

UNE 56543

73.6

Tension strength perpendicular to grain. Radial

direction (N/mm2)

UNE 56538

11.6

Density

(kg/m3)

Moisture content (%)

Bending strength

(N/mm2)

Linear shrinkage. Longitudinal direction (%)

Higroscopicity (kg/cm3)
Axial compression C12

(kg/cm2)

Each value shown in the table is the average value of 30 samples (3 samples from each beam).

35

According to EN 408:2010, mechanical properties were determined in small samples of

CELLUWOOD beams made of Norway spruce (Picea abies) lamellae glued with the final
lignin resin developed in the project. When possible, the dimensions of the samples
maintained the real geometry of the lamellae of which beams are made.
Bending strength (MOR) and global modulus of elasticity (MOE)
Sample

Bending strength
(N/mm2)

Global modulus of
Elasticity (N/mm2)

71.28

12580

73.12

11623

81.03

12961

4
5

76.25
68.67

12098
11483

78.24

12856

74.91

12755

66.94

12136

72.27

13546

10

78.23

13865

Average

74.09

12590

Standard
deviation

4.48

773

Characteristic value of MOR

for glulam classified as
GL24h: 24 N/mm2

Characteristic value of MOE

for glulam classified as
GL24h: 11600 N/mm2

36

Compression strength parallel to grain

Sample

Compression strength
parallel to grain
(N/mm2)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average
Standard
deviation

42.50
44.12
40.21
44.62
41.37
44.06
42.48
43.81
41.95
44.23
42.94

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL24h: 24 N/mm2

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL36h: 31 N/mm2

1.46

37

Compression strength perpendicular to grain

Sample

Compression strength
perpendicular to grain
(N/mm2)

3.93

4.19

4.23

3.91

4.11

3.85

4.18

3.96

4.12

10

3.88

Average

4.03

Standard
deviation

0.14

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL24h: 2.7 N/mm2

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL36h: 3.6 N/mm2

38

39

Shear strength

Sample

Shear strength
(N/mm2)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average
Standard
deviation

6.60
5.51
5.93
6.07
6.23
5.79
6.01
5.86
6.33
5.98
6.03

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL24h: 2.7 N/mm2

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL36h: 4.3 N/mm2

0.30

40

41

Tension strength parallel to grain

Sample

Tension strength parallel

to grain (N/mm2)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

21.31
20.67
19.48
20.71
21.46
19.92
20.52
19.78
20.07
21.56

Average

20.55

Standard
deviation

0.73

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL24h: 16.5 N/mm2

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL28h: 19.5 N/mm2

42

Tension strength perpendicular to grain

Sample

Tension strength
perpendicular to grain
(N/mm2)

1.92

1.77

1.56

1.89

1.48

1.79

1.84

1.43

1.91

10

1.42

Average

1.70

Standard
deviation

0.21

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL24h: 0.4 N/mm2

Characteristic value of this

property for glulam classified
as GL36h: 0.6 N/mm2

43

44

5. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CELLUWOOD BEAMS

DETERMINED FROM FULL-SIZE SPECIMENS
EN 408:2011+A1:2012 Timber structures Structural timber and glued laminated timber
Determination of some physical and mechanical properties specifies test methods for
determining most of the strength and stiffness properties of structural and glued
laminated timber.
Section 10. Determination of global modulus of elasticity in bending

Section 19. Determination of bending strength

45

46

Breaking of a commercial MUF beam

47

Breaking of a commercial MUF beam

48

Breaking of a PUR beam

49

Breaking of a PUR beam

50

Breaking of a lignin beam (separation of the lamellas)

51

Breaking of a lignin beam (separation of the lamellas)

52

Breaking of a lignin beam (crack)

53

Breaking of a lignin beam (crack)

54

MOE (MPa)
24000

22000

20000

18000

MUF
PUR

16000

LIGNIN

14000

12000

10000

55

Average MOE (MPa)

19000
18027

18000

The
average
MOE for
lignin
beams is
45%
greater
than the
average
MOE for
MUF
beams

17000
16000
15135
15000
14000
13000
12425
12000
11000
10000
MUF

PUR

LIGNIN

56

MOR (MPa)
75

70

65

60

MUF
PUR

55

LIGNIN

50

45

40

57

MOR (MPa)
65
61,0

The
average
MOR for
lignin
beams is
23%
greater
than the
average
MOR for
MUF
beams

60

55
51,2
50

49,6

45

40
MUF

PUR

LIGNIN

58

Thank you very

much for your
attention
Project coordinator at AIDIMA: Miguel ngel Abin