Compression and energy absorption of wood-based two-dimensional dowel lattice structures

A wood-based two-dimensional dowel lattice structure was studied to optimize wooden structures and improve their mechanical properties. The structure was prepared by insertion and gluing, and an orthogonal experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of the geometrical parameters on the structural performance. The failure modes and mechanical properties of structures were predicted by finite element method (FEM) and theoretical analysis. The structure was divided into two types based on the load-displacement curve after elastic phase, which showed different forms of failure modes. The experimental and theoretical analysis results showed that the length of the core has little influence on the structural performances except for the specific stiffness, and the diameter has little influence on the specific stiffness. Comparison with other similar structures showed the ad-vantages of the wood-based lattice truss sandwich structure concerning energy absorption.