Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) with Plywood using Korean Larch

The bending strength of hybrid wooden-core laminated timber (HWLT), a composite material made from existing cross-laminated timber (CLT) and plywood, was analyzed. Using plywood makes it possible to decrease the bending strength of the starting material. Korea Larch (Larix kaempferi Carr.) was used as plywood because of its popularity in Korea. To analyze HWLT's bending properties, each component (lamina, plywood) was tested for bending, compression, and tensile strengths. The results showed that the HWLT's bending strength depended on the plywood's number of plies. With an increased number of plies, plywood's bending strength decreased, and also HWLT's bending strength decreased. Most of the failure showed in-plate shear failure of plywood. This result meant that use of reinforced plywood made it possible to increase HWLT's bending strength for structural material.