Method of Estimation of Laminated Wood Properties

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the possibility of applying computer programs for the evaluation of mechanical properties of wood, aiming at their further use in quantitative methods. The analysis is done of two mechanical properties and to three thicknesses of veneer plywood (4.5, 12, 21 mm). Mechanical properties that have been determined are flexural strength and modulus of elasticity, both parallel and perpendicular to the outer veneer fiber direction. Input parameters for the modeling were material properties with predefined values in the software used, and they were specific for Northern European hardwoods (PC-Bu) and material properties characteristic for Croatian area, which were achieved by experimental methods (EM-Bu). The results obtained were compared to the results of testing veneer plywood by destructive methods (FP-D). The analysis of the results shows that experimentally obtained values of the properties of the material for the definition of the model have a beneficial effect on the accuracy of the results. The differences between mechanical properties, obtained by the computer program and those obtained by testing, decrease with the increase of thickness or number of layers of veneer plywood. It can be concluded that, considering the known limitations and advantages, such computer programs provide wider possibilities in choosing the optimal material for product development.