COMPARISON OF FLEXURAL AND SHEAR PROPERTIES OF SOUTHERN PINE LVL AND LUMBER FROM YOUNG PLANTATION AND NATURAL STANDS

Edgewise flexural strength and stiffness values are reported of southe rn yellow pine (5.08 x 10.16 cm(2)) (2 x 4'') laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made from veneers of 20-year-old plantation trees, veneer of 28- and 40-year-old trees of natural stands, and LVL composites made by m ixing veneers of 20- and 40-year-old trees. The obtained flexural prop erties of LVL were correlated to veneer thickness and grade as well as to tree age. Flexural and shear properties of LVL are compared to pro perties of solid lumber obtained from the same groups and quality of t rees. The distribution of allowable design flexural strength 'Fb' and stiffness 'E' corresponding to SPIB-91 lumber grades of various LVL gr oups determined.