Structural lumber laminated from 1/4-inch rotary-peeled southern pine veneer

Abstract

By the lamination process evaluated, 60 percent of total log volume ended as kiln-dry, end-trimmed, sized, salable 2 by 4's - approximately 50 percent more than that acheived by conventional bandsawing of matched logs. Moreover, modulus of elasticity of the laminated 2 by 4's (adjusted to 12 percent moisture content) averaged 1,950,000 psi compared to 1,790,000 for the sawn 2 by 4's. Allowable fiber stress in edgewise bending was 2,660 psi for the laminated 2 by 4's, more than twice the value obtained (1,270 psi) for the sawn 2 by 4's. A manufacturing procedure for 6-ply lumber is described that calls for no major innovation in equipment. When the price per MBF of structural lumber is 50 percent greater than the price per M sq. ft. of 1/2-inch sheathing plywood, it should be more profitable to manufacture laminated lumber than plywood.

Citation

Koch, Peter. 1972. Structural lumber laminated from 1/4-inch rotary-peeled southern pine veneer. Forest Products Journal, Vol. 23(7): 17-25