Engineered Composite Sciences

FS-FPL-4706

Current Research

To conserve wood, alone or in combination with other renewable fiber resources, fundamental relationships between base materials and product performance are defined and then processes are derived to engineer reliable, high-performance composites from wood- and wood-lignocellulosics, including new hybrid composites melding wood and alternative materials.

Justification and Problem Selection

Using a materials science approach to design-in composite performance and maximize the sustainablity of forest resources, we are a premier international source of unbiased information on the materials, process and performance requirements of composites. The performance engineered composites we develop provide improved value, service-life and utility by meeting the needs of US and international consumers. We also provide tools to resource managers that, regardless for resource type or quality, promote sustainability, recyclability and reduce adverse environmental impacts while allowing for the development of engineered composite products that meet the needs of users.

As the problems associated with sustaining and enhancing the world's forest and agricultural resources compete with the needs of a rapidly increasing and affluent population, the management of our land becomes a much more complex and important issue. One of the most important environmental features of wood and other woody-like fibers is that they are renewable and can be sustainably managed. Composite wood and fiber products are beneficial to humans and to the environment in that they serve as environmentally effective alternatives to other non-renewable and/or non- or less-recyclable mineral- or petrochemical-based materials.

To address these issues and accomplish our mission, we have identified three (3) research problem areas:

1. Understand the fundamental relationships between wood-, natural-fiber- and alternative materials and use this knowledge to optimize composite processing and performance.
2. Improve the performance, durability and value of existing composites and define the next generation of hybrid composites made from natural fiber(s) and alternative materials.
3. Develop tools to address resource sustainability, enhance recyclability and minimize the environmental impacts of composite processing.

Composite Wood-based Products Standards and Test Methods

Common Laboratory Tests Performed on Wood-based Composite Products

General Wood Product Tests

• ASTM D2395 (Method A) -- Specific Gravity of Wood and Wood-Base Materials, Method A: Volume by Measurement
• ASTM D2718 -- Structural Panels in Planar Shear (Rolling Shear)
• ASTM D2719 (Method C) -- Structural Panels in Shear Through-the-Thickness, Method C: Two-Rail Shear
• ASTM D3043 (Method C) -- Structural Panels in Flexure, Method C: Pure Moment Test
• ASTM D4442 (Method B) -- Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials, Method B: Secondary Oven-Drying
• ASTM E72 (Sec. 14) -- Strength Tests of Panels for Building Construction: Racking Load
• ASTM E72 (Sec. 15) -- Strength Tests of Panels for Building Construction: Racking Load (Wet)
• ASTM D5764 -- Evaluating Dowel-Bearing Strength of Wood and Wood-Base Products

Structural Composite Lumber, Glulam, I-Joists, Laminated Veneer Lumber

• ASTM D143 (Sec. 14) -- Small Clear Specimens of Timber, Sec. 14: Shear Parallel to Grain
• ASTM D198 (Sec. 4-11) -- Static Tests of Timbers in Structural Sizes, Sec. 4-11: Flexure
• ASTM D198 (Sec. 28-35) -- Static Tests of Timbers in Structural Sizes, Sec. 28-35: Tension Parallel to Grain
• ASTM D1761 (Sec. 1-11) -- Mechanical Fasteners in Wood, Sec. 1-11: Nail, Staple, or Screw Withdrawal
• ASTM D2559 (Shear) -- Adhesives for Structural Laminated Wood Products for Use Under Exterior (Wet Use) Exposure Conditions: Resistance to Shear by Compression Loading
• ASTM D2559 (Delamination) -- (CSA 0112.0-M Series 1977) Adhesives for Structural Laminated Wood Products for Use Under Exterior (Wet Use) Exposure Conditions: Resistance to Delamination During Accelerated Exposure (CSA Standards for Wood Adhesives, Sec. 0112.0-M: Clause 3.3, Delamination Test)
• ASTM D4688 -- Evaluating Structural Adhesives for Fingerjointing Lumbers
• AITC 200 (T107) -- Inspection Manual for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, T107: Shear Test
• AITC 200 (T110) -- Inspection Manual for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, T110: Cyclic Delamination
• AITC 200 (T114) -- Inspection Manual for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, T114: Bending Test for End Joints
• AITC 200 (T116) -- Inspection Manual for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, T116: Modulus of Elasticity of E-Rated Lumber by Static Loading
• AITC 200 (T119) -- Inspection Manual for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, T119: Full Size End Joint Tension
• AITC 200 (T123) -- Inspection Manual for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, T123: Sampling, Testing, and Data Analysis to Determine Tensile Properties of Lumber

Structural Use Panels

• ASTM D3044 -- Shear Modulus of Plywood
• ASTM D3500 (Method B) -- Structural Panels in Tension, Method B: Tensile Strength of Large Specimens
• ASTM D3501 (Method B) -- Plywood in Compression, Method B: Compression Test for Large Specimens
• ASTM E661 -- Performance of Wood and Wood-Based Floor and Roof Sheathing Under Concentrated Static and Impact Loads
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.1) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec 6.4.1: Performance Under Concentrated Static and Impact Loads (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 5.26: Concentrated Static and Impact Loads)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.2) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.2: Performance Under Uniform Loads (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 5.27: Uniformly Distributed Loads)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.4) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.4: Fastener-Holding Performance, Lateral Loads, Direct Withdrawal Loads (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clauses 5.23: Nail Lateral Resistance; 5.24: Nail Withdrawal Resistance)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.7) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.7: Linear Expansion and Thickness Swell Measured from Oven Dry to Vacuum-Pressure Soak (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 5.8: Linear Expansion - Oven Dry to Vacuum Pressure Soak)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.8) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.8: Linear Expansion and Thickness Swell Measured after Wetting on One Side (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clauses 5.10: Linear Expansion.-One Side Wetting; 5.11: Thickness Swell-One Side Wetting)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.9) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.9: Linear and Thickness Expansion Measured by Exposure to Relative Humidity (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 5.9: Linear Expansion - 50 to 90% Relative Humidity)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.17) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.17: Moisture Cycle for Quality Assurance (Single Cycle Test) (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 3.1.7: Single-Cycle Soak)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.18) (CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.18: Moisture Cycle for Delamination and Strength Retention (Six-Cycle Test) (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 3.1.6: Six-Cycle Soak)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.19) (Supplement No.1-92 to CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.19: Bond Durability Associated with Knotholes (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 5.32: Concentrated Static and Impact Loads at Location of Defect)
• PS-2 (Sec. 6.4.20) (Supplement No.1-92 to CAN/CSA-0325.1-88) -- Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Sec. 6.4.20: Radial Probe (Test Methods for Construction Sheathing, Clause 5.31: Radial Probe Test)

Hardwood Plywood

• HP-1 (Sec. 4.3) Interim Voluntary Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, Sec. 4.3: Dry Shear
• HP-1 (Sec. 4.4) Interim Voluntary Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, Sec. 4.4: Cyclic- Boil Shear
• HP-1 (Sec. 4.6) Interim Voluntary Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, Sec. 4.6: Three-Cycle Soak
• ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission of Materials

Particleboard and Medium-Density Fiberboard

• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 21-27) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 21-27: Tensile Strength Parallel to Surface
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 61-67) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 61-67: Direct Screw Withdrawal Test
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 68-73) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 68-73: Hardness
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 81-86) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 81-86: Shear Strength in the Plane of the Board
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 100-106) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 100-106: Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 107-110) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 107-110: Linear Variation with Change in Moisture Content
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 118-124) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 118-124: Accelerated Aging
• ASTM D1037 (Part A, Sec. 126-127) -- Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, Part A, Sec. 126-127: Moisture Content and Specific Gravity
• ANSI/A208.1 (Sec. 3.4.4) Wood Particleboard, Sec. 3.4.4: Concentrated Load
• ASTM E1333 Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products Under DefinedTest Conditions Using a Large Chamber
• ASTM D6007-96 (Formerly FTM - 3) -- Small Scale Method for Determining Formaldehyde Emissions from Wood Products: Two Hour Desiccator
• ASTM D5582 (Formerly FTM - 1) -- Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products Using a Desiccator

Insulating Fiberboard

• ASTM C208-94. Standard specification for cellulosic fiber insulating board.

Hardboard

• ANSI/AHA A194.1-1985 Cellulosic fiberboard
• ANSI/AHA A135.6-1990. Hardboard siding
• ANSI/AHA A135.4-1995. Basic hardboard
• ANSI/AHA A135.5-1995. Prefinished hardboard paneling

Plastic Lumber

• ASTM D6108-97, Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
• ASTM D6109-97, Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber.
• ASTM D6111-97, Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement.
• ASTM D6112-97, Standard Test Method for Compressive and Flexural Creep and Creep Rupture of Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
• ASTM D6117-97, Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Fasteners in Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
• ASTM E108 (Modified), Combustibility of Plastic Lumber in outdoor decking applications

Sandwich Constructions

• ASTM C273 Shear Properties in Flatwise Plane of Flat Sandwich Constructions or Sandwich Cores
• ASTM C297 Tensile Strength of Flat Sandwich Constructions in Flatwise Plane
• ASTM C365 (Method A) Flatwise Compressive Strength of Sandwich Cores, Method A
• ASTM C393 Flexural Properties of Flat Sandwich Constructions
• ASTM C480 Flexure-Creep of Sandwich Constructions
• ASTM C481 Laboratory Aging of Sandwich Constructions
• ASTM D1183 Resistance of Adhesive to Cyclic Laboratory Aging Conditions

Websites of Interest

• AFPA http://www.afandpa.org/Find information about the paper and wood products industry at the American Forest and Paper Association home page. Other links include: technical information on engineered wood products from the American Wood Council.
• TFG http://www.tfguild.org/links.html A tremendous selection of timber related links can be found on the Timber Framers Guild website.
• WWPA http://www.wwpa.org/ There are technical links such as design tables, codes and regulatory issues, business information with outlooks on the lumber industry and more.
• APA http://www.apawood.org/APA - The Engineered Wood Association (formerly the American Plywood Association) dedicated to wood design and construction which includes codes, specifications, and lateral loads.
• CWC http://pbmdf.com/index.asp Website sponsored by Composite Wood Council and the Composite Panel Association contains much information. Buyers and specifier's guide, technical information, and a list of publications.
• WPPC http://www.mcvicker.com/twd/gwdi97/page000.htm Provided by the Wood Products Promotions Council and others. There is an extensive bibliography of information of interest to engineers and technicians.
• AWC http://www.awc.org/ The American Wood Council homepage offers engineers and technicians publications, building code information, wood design software, technical information, and listing of seminars and education programs.
• ANSI http://www.ansi.org/ Check out the library and search features for the American National Standards Institute website. This site has an extensive index of related sites that reference specific standards.
• ASTM http://www.astm.org/ Check out the latest information on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) through technical committees and news and information links.
• BOCA http://www.bocai.org/ Building Officials Code Administrators website contains extensive information concerning BOCA codes, past, present, and future. Areas for code development, evaluation services, and technical services are available.
• UBC http://www.icbo.org/ International Conference of Building Officials homepage offers a product store, code forum and news updates. Also an online version of the Building Standards periodical is offered.