Modified Grain Orientation of Laminated Veneer Lumber Characteristics of Three Fast-Growing Tropical Wood Species

Abstract

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and modified grain orientation of LVL (LVB) are composite products made from veneer that are predicted to replace construction timber. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and mechanical properties of LVL and LVB of mahoni (Swietenia macrophylla), manglid (Manglietia glauca), and gmelina (Gmelina moluccana) and to compare their characteristics. The results showed that the physical and mechanical properties of LVL and LVB generally meet the standards for use in construction. Differences in the properties of LVL and LVB occurred in the properties of hardness and screw tests, while the other properties were similar. The parallel fiber direction was better in terms of adhesive strength, while the compaction density was slightly higher than LVL. The LVL flexural strength was better than LVB in flat and edge test directions. This difference correlates with the adhesive strength in the shear strength test due to the different orientation of the fiber directions.