Mechanical characterization of novel Homogeneous Beech and hybrid Beech-Corsican Pine thin Cross-Laminated timber panels

The great Beech forests extension in Europe has recently led to investigate the possible application of this hardwood species for the production of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels. In order to define the goodness of Beech CLT panels for structural applications, an extensive experimental study on novel, three-layered CLT panels made up with short procurement chain, Beech-Corsican Pine timber and melamine based adhesive was performed. The main aim is to define and summarize the mechanical performances of CLT panels both in the homogeneous and hybrid configurations. Major support is derived from bending and shear experimental investigations, both for the in-plane and perpendicular to-plan directions. Moreover, based also on Finite Element (FE) numerical simulations, the local and global mechanical performance of these novel panels is further assessed, towards a widely diffused market product (C24 Spruce CLT panels). The collected experimental and numerical results reveal an overall good behavior of homogeneous hardwood panels, and an excellent performance of hybrid softwood-hardwood configuration, with great opportunity on construction applications.