Strength properties of laminated veneer lumber after extended exposure to high temperatures
Abstract
When wood is exposed to elevated temperatures (greater than 37 °C or 100 °F), its strength and stiffness can be degraded. The National Design Specifications for wood construction contain reduction factors for mechanical properties of wood and engineered wood used in these situations. These reduction factors were based on experiments where wood and engineered wood were conditioned at high temperatures. Since these experiments were conducted, adhesive formulations used in structural composite lumber have changed. This work compared strength properties of laminated veneer lumber made with non-phenolic adhesives and exposed to high temperatures against previous literature values. The results suggest that the safety factors in the National Design Specifications for Wood Construction are appropriate even for new adhesive formulations.
Reference
Samuel L. Zelinka; Dwight E. Mcdonald; Marshall Begel; Borjen Yeh. (2026). Strength properties of laminated veneer lumber after extended exposure to high temperatures. USDA Forest Service. https://doi.org/10.2737/fpl-rn-431
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