Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Civil/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering
Darius Bates - Jackson State University
Co-Author(s): Chad Papa, Michigan State University
Deconstruction of abandoned buildings is an alternative strategy proposed to reduce the harmful and wasteful impacts construction demolition places on the economy and the environment. Deconstruction contributes to controlling the amount of waste placed into landfills through a process of recycling and reusing building materials. The reuse of structural lumber has often been a challenge, due to building codes and low intrinsic value of salvaged dimensional lumber. One possible solution is to repurpose such salvaged lumber in a way that increases the material’s value. Cross laminated timber (CLT) is a high-value, emerging structural composite lumber technology that can potentially use salvaged dimensional lumber. CLT is a laminar structure comprised of an odd number of layers of boards, each laid at 90 degree angles to the adjacent layer. The continuous bonding between the single layers, connected by adhesive resins, provides a product that can bear loads in and out of plane. This building material is used to erect commercial and residential buildings. CLT possesses several environmental, economic, and construction benefits over steel and concrete which encourage its use as a natural and sustainable building material. This study examines the mechanical properties of salvaged larch lumber, salvaged from a home built in 1902 and deconstructed in 2016, to determine if this material meets minimum mechanical standards for inclusion in the manufacturing of CLT Panels. Due to deforestation and a limited supply of timber stock across the nation, research regarding the use of salvaged lumber as a building material will help reduce amount of waste going to the landfill, and help preserve forestry. In this study, the hypothesis indicated, salvaged larch lumber, salvaged from a home build in 1902 and deconstructed in 2016, mechanical properties would meet minimum standards for inclusion in the manufacturing of CLT Panels. The Instron Model 4206 instrument was used to measure Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rupture of the sample. According to the results, the sample of salvage larch lumber mechanical properties did not meet minimum standards for inclusion in the manufacturing of CLT Panels. Future work will include increasing the size of the sample and testing of other salvaged lumber species mechanical and physical properties.
Darius Bates ERN 2018 Abstract.docxFunder Acknowledgement(s): Dr. Pascal Nzokou Dan Gilbert Randy Klevickas Paul Bloese Michigan State Forestry Mark Bolle, Bolle Contracting
Faculty Advisor: Dr. George H. Berghorn, gberghorn@gmail.com
Role: I prepared all the samples and performed the mechanical property testing.