Plywood made from birch has superior mechanical properties compared with that made from most softwoods, which makes it suitable for structural application. Several previous studies have addressed birch plywood’s structural usage and angle-dependent mechanical properties. To enhance its durability, acetylating each birch veneer before processing veneers into plywood might be a reasonable solution. The product, so-called acetylated birch plywood has been proven to possess equivalent mechanical properties compared with unmodified ones. However, the knowledge of the moisture influence on unmodified and acetylated birch plywood needs to be enhanced for a better design of structural birch plywood elements. Extra concern should be given to the weakest load angle due to the weakest chain theory.
Keywords: birch plywood, acetylation, moisture influence, angle-dependence
Authors
Yue Wang
Building Materials Division, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
Tianxiang Wang
Building Materials Division, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
Roberto Crocetti
Building Materials Division, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
Magnus Wålinder
Building Materials Division, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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