Performance of Densified Wood Glulam as Building Bio-Material

In this research, some practical aspects of densified wood glulam were investigated. For this aim, poplar wood specimens were densified by hygro-thermo-mechanical technique. Glulam specimens were produced by finger joint technique and polyurethane glue was used as resin. Physical and mechanical properties of glulams were investigated according to ASTM D 143 09, ASTM D 905-03 and ISO 8375 standards. Based on obtained results, using this process (steam and pressurize compaction) resulted in improvement of physical and mechanical properties of glulam specimens. Optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) pictures were proved structural changes on wood material during of applied technique. Generally, the increase of wood density and hygrothermal treatment has a positive role on the glulam properties especially its dimensional stability. This technique showed a significant effect on water absorption; the steaming temperature and holding time significantly decreased water absorption but densification process increased this parameter. Also, delamination of specimens was decreased by hygrothermal treatment while densification showed negative effect on delamination. Moreover modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, shear strength and compression strength parallel to grain were decreased by this technique but it is depend to treatment temperature and holding time. Higher temperature and holding time cause to higher decrease in the glulam mechanical strength.