Mechanical properties of beech CLT

The use of relatively new constructions products like Cross laminated timber (CLT) is increasing significantly. It is planned to extend the production of CLT by producing them out of beech or of beech and spruce in combi-nation as hybrid product. The objective is to provide high performing materials which compensate weak points in soft wood products. In order to use and implement the product, the mechanical behaviour of a CLT plate of beech were investigated. The potential of beech is shown in terms of known strength values. Experimental tests for the evaluation of the strength and stiffness values for beech CLT for different situations as well as delamination tests were performed. Failure cases of the mechanical tests are presented and discussed where the rolling shear failure was in major focus for the discussion.