Feasibility of using clonal timber of fast growing Eucalyptus urophylla for the production of glulam with castor bean based polyurethane adhesive

ABSTRACT

Glulam is a viable alternative for the rational use of wood, allowing the use of young timber. Also, when engineering the timber, it is possible to use lower quality trunks with a smaller diameter. However, the performance of the product depends on the species used, the thickness and position of the lamellae, the type of adhesive, the bonding performance. This work aimed to study the feasibility of using a fast growing timber for the production of glulam. The selected timber species was Eucalyptus urophylla, clonal COP 1404, which is characterized by its fast growth and lack of studies regarding its application in civil construction. A two-component polyurethane adhesive based on castor oil was used. The experimental program focused on the characterization of fresh timber and the mechanical performance of glulam compared to solid wood, using statistical methods to analyze the resistance of the prototypes. The results indicated that the adhesive was efficient in gluing the timber, so that shearing occurred in the timber, in addition to the flexural verification showing behavior of a single body, with no points of discontinuity due to the glue line.

Keywords:
clone COP 1404; engineered timber; shear; flexion