Potential of using trembling aspen to make structural engineered wood products

Abstract

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is abundant in Canada but is widely considered an underutilized species. This study was aimed at evaluating the potential of using aspen lumber to produce cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued-laminated timber (glulam), and wood I-joists. The key mechanical properties of these engineered wood products, which were fabricated using a modified grading criterion, were examined. It was found that 1) The mean effective bending stiffness and characteristic bending moment resistance of 5-layer CLT specimens in the major-strength direction were 5,069×10⁹ N·mm²/m and 97.65×106 N·mm/m; 2) The mean apparent MOE and characteristic modulus of rupture of glulam specimens were 12,315 MPa and 27.00 MPa; and 3) The mean effective stiffness and characteristic bending moment resistance of wood I-joist specimens were 899×106 kN·mm2 and 9,730 kN·mm. It could be concluded that properly sorted aspen lumber could be used in the production of CLT, glulam, and wood I-joists for specific applications.