Experimental investigations on adhesive free laminated oak timber beams and timber-to-timber joints assembled using thermo-mechanically compressed wood dowels

This paper presents an experimental investigation on a novel adhesive free engineered Wood Products (AFEWPs) as an alternative to the conventional glued EWPs which have a high degree of petrochemicals. The research outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of using compressed wood dowels (CWD) as a joint element, to connect timber laminates and members as well as to substitute for adhesives and metallic fasteners. The paper describes the production of thermo-mechanically compressed wood dowels as well as the manufacturing of the dowelled timber specimens. The strength and stiffness properties of CWD are characterized based on three-point bending tests and compared to the values obtained from uncompressed wood specimens. After that, the paper discusses the relative mechanical performances of three-layer dowelled oak beams subjected to four-point bending, in comparison to their conventional glued counterparts. Finally, the paper shows results obtained from double shear push-out tests under both monotonic and cyclic loadings, using two wood species, namely spruce and oak. The obtained results show clearly the potential of thermo-mechanically compressed wood dowel, as a joint fastener, for load bearing capacity.