Development of cross-laminated timber composite panels from C16 timber

This research investigates the potential of using timber of grade C16 to manufacture cross laminated timber (CLT) panels with comparable mechanical properties to those manufactured from C24 timber. The use of locally sourced C16 timber will mean the CLT panels will be more sustainably attractive with reduced transportation costs. The effect of how drying and conditioning of the raw timber affects the panel strength characteristics has been considered. The study also investigates how the addition of a strengthening material, GRP mesh will affect the panels performance in bending and shear tests. A theoretical model has been created to determine strength characteristics of CLT panels with and without the additional material.