Abstract
The strength distribution of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) has not been estimated by Mont Carlo simulation, because it is very difficult to characterize the elements of LVL. In this report, we tried to estimate the strength distributions of the elements by a nonlinear least-squares method, supposing the element as a veneer with adhesive and using the strength data of LVL composed of a single veneer. In addition, the suitability of parameters of the strength distribution of elements, calculated as the converged solutions, were confirmed by the results of simulation for LVL strength distributions using those parameters and were verified by K-S test. The suitable statistical distributions could be estimated in the strength of the elements, modulus of elasticity in the horizontal and vertical use direction, tensile strength and compression strength, among normal distribution, lognormal distribution and 2P-Weibull distribution. In bending strength of the elements in the horizontal use direction, the most suitable criteria of LVL bending strength and the suitable statistical distributions under this criteria could be estimated.
