Improved fatigue performance for wood-based structural panels using slot and tab construction

This paper presents static and fatigue bending behavior for a wood-based structural panel having a slot and tab (S/T) construction technique. Comparisons were made with similarly fabricated panels without the SIT construction technique. Experimental results showed that both types of panels had similar bending properties in the static tests. However, the panels with S/T construction had better fatigue results. The failure modes were different for the two fabrication techniques. The panels without SIT debonded at the core:face interface. Whereas, the panels with SIT had cracks that propagated within the rib of the core after debonding damage at the core:face interface. The fatigue deflection-life relationship indicated that the S/T construction improved the connection between the faces and core. The S/T construction decreased the deflection growth rate that delayed panel failure. The fatigue stress-life relationship or degradation was better for the panels with SIT construction than the panels without the S/T construction. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.