Thermal degradation of bending properties of structural wood and wood-based composites

Wood and wood-based composites are being used extensively in single-family residential dwellings. Therefore, it is important to categorize their response when exposed to elevated temperatures for a sustained period of time. In fire-resistant design for wood structures, the main goal is to ensure that enough structural integrity is maintained, during and after a fire, to prevent collapse and to maintain means of egress. Another goal is an ability to assess post-fire structural integrity and residual strength of an existing structure. The objectives of this study are: (a) to study the effect of temperature and exposure time on bending strength (MOR) and stiffness (MOE) of solid sawn lumber (SSL), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood; and (b) to develop predictive relations between different temperatures and times of exposure and the thermal degradation of strength. A total of 1080 samples were tested in static bending under various heat treatments. The results indicated that exposure to elevated temperature caused significant degradation of bending strength and stiffness. A statistical regression-based model and a kinetics-based model were developed and evaluated for predicting the strength loss of wood and wood-based composites as a function of thermal exposure temperature and exposure time. The kinetics-based model fit the data better and predictions consistently matched the observed values, making the model preferred over the regression approach.