Bolt-Bearing Yield Strength of Three-Layered Cross-Laminated Timber Treated with Phenol Formaldehyde Resin

Abstract

The effect of impregnation treatment of low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (MWPF) resin on the bolt-bearing yield strength (BBYS) of a three-layered cross-laminated timber (CLT) composed of two face layers of southern pine (Pinus taeda) and one core layer of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was investigated together with two additional factors of material type and loading direction. Experimental results indicated that the amount of low MWPF resins penetrating into sweetgum was more than the ones into southern pine. Sweetgum had more uniform distribution of low MWPF resins penetrating longitudinally than southern pine. Impregnation treatment using a low MWPF resin at a concentration of 20% can enhance the BBYS of three-layered CLTs with a 60% increase. The BBYS of a core layer material in three-layered CLTs can significantly alter the overall BBYS of the three-layered CLTs.