A feasibility study of using two-component polyurethane adhesive in constructing wooden structures

This investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of using a two-component polyurethane （PUR） adhesive, with special waterproof properties, in constructing wooden structures. We designed and conducted tests to compare the shear strength and adhesion performance of PUR with polyvinyl acetate （PVAc） adhesive on block-shear specimens constructed of oriental beech （Fagus orientalis L.）, fir （Abies alba Mill.）, poplar （Populus deltoides Bartr.）, white oak （Quercus alba L.）, sycamore （Platanus orientalis L.） and white walnut （Juglans cinerea L.）. The values of the percentage of wood failure were also determined in specimens constructed with each adhesive. The highest shear strength values of both adhesives were obtained in specimens constructed of beech, while the lowest shear strength values were obtained in fir and poplar specimens. Average shear strength of the PUR adhesive was 16.5% higher than that of the PVAc adhesive. Specimens constructed of fir, poplar and sycamore were characterised by the highest percentages of wood failure, whereas the lowest average percentages of wood failure were obtained in beech and oak specimens. With the exception of oak specimens, there was no statistically significant difference between percentage of wood failure among the PUR and PVAc adhesives. Generally, the PUR adhesive showed an acceptable adhesion performance on wood materials used in our study.

Effects of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Glulam Exposed to Outdoor Environment

This paper presents an experimental investigation to identify suitable indices to assess durability of glulam when subjected to freeze-thaw cycles in an exposed enviroenment.In this study,two types of glulam specimens were tested for their performance when subjected to different levels of aging due to freezing and thawing.Effect of aging treatment on various parameters including thickness swelling rate,static bending strength,elastic modulus,shear strength,and peeling rate of adhesive layer were studied.Obtained results showed that freeze-thaw aging treatment did not affect the water-resistance of the specimens as measured by thickness swelling rate and had little effect on the dimensional stability of the material.However,the applied aging treatment weakened the bending resistance of the glulam specimens with more pronounced effects on on low-density wood.On the other hand,bond strength of high-density wood was relatively more affected due to the appliedfreeze-thaw cycles.For highdensity wood,it is suggested that the shear strength of the adhesive layer be taken as an important index to determine the durability of freeze-thaw cycles aging.For low-density wood,on the other hand,the static bending strength can be used as an index to determine the durability of glulam under freeze-thaw cycles aging.