Compression tests parallel to grains were made on short column glulams composed of mechanically-graded sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) laminae. The effect of grade of laminae on the compression strength was studied. In addition, relations among tensile, bending and compression strength properties of the glulams were discussed.
The compression strength of the short column glulam was the same as the average compression strength of each lamina. The distribution of the compression strength was represented as a normal distribution function and the coefficient of variation was considerably lower than those of bending or tensile strength.
The presence of knots in the laminae did not much affect the compression strength. The coefficient of correlation between the compression strength and specific gravity of the specimens was considerably high. These two results were in contrast to those observed in bending or tensile strength tests for glulams.