DAMAGE PROBLEMS IN GLUED LAMINATED TIMBER

On a number of occasions glued laminated timber breaks apart before the end of their service life. Examples in Germany (Frese M., Blass H.J. [2011]) and Denmark (Hansson, Larsen [2005]) show that this problem is real. In order to find the causes of the problem, extensive tests were conducted: 16 buildings with glued laminated timber were examined on the spot, calculations and laboratory work were carried out. These examinations told us that not only did the properties of the wooden material cause the damage, but the problems were also due to the wood used and the method of construction. In the calculations, the external load and residual stresses occurring in the glued laminated timber were included. Residual tensions in this timber were generated by climatic stresses and also due to the method of construction. These stresses also accumulated along with the stresses of the external load. Laboratory work was carried out to measure the delamination. We examined whether these analyses and calculations prove or disprove the results of the on-the-spot examinations.