Abstract
In this study, we estimated the element strength distribution of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) by the nonlinear least-squares method, supposing an element of veneer with adhesive. However, in order to validate this method, we must compare the element strength distribution estimated by this method with that calculated from experimental data. Then, we extracted specimens of 1ply, 2ply and 3ply with an adhesion layer from the remainders of LVL and carried out the same static tests as the experiments for LVL. Comparing the experimental values of 1ply and the estimated values in the previous report, the latter were larger than the former for Modulus of rapture (MOR) in the horizontal and vertical use directions, and tension and compression strengths. Accordingly, a laminating effect was suggested by those strengths. To ascertain this, the strength distributions of 2ply and 3ply were simulated by the experimental data of 1ply. Also the population distributions for the strengths of 2ply and 3ply were estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Comparing the strength distributions simulated by 1ply with the population distributions, the population distribution was larger for MOR in the vertical use direction, tension strength and compression strength. Therefore, in those strengths, it turned out that the laminating effect existed. On the other hand, we could not determine whether or not the laminating effect existed for MOR in the horizontal use direction.
