Shear Properties of Nordic Glulam CE L40c

Abstract

The aims of this report are to investigate whether a new specimen is suitable for shear testing and to investigate the shear properties of Nordic glulam CE L40c. A total number of 56 shear tests were carried out. The specimens were modelled numerically and tested in the laboratory using video extensometry to measure surface strains. Approximately 40 % of all specimens produced a nice shear surface at failure. Practically all specimens formed two vertical cracks along the sides of the shear plane. These cracks had their origin from areas along the cuts where concentrations of tension perpendicular to grain were observed in results from numerical analysis and laboratory testing. The characteristic shear strength of CE L40c, f_(v,g,k), was estimated between 2.6 MPa and 3.6 MPa, depending on specimen size. The average 5-percentile of the stiffness, G_(g,05), was estimated approximately 970 MPa.