Analysis of finger joints from beech wood

The hardwood stock in European forest increases with primary beech as the main representing species. To use the mechanical potential of hardwood, it is necessary to adopt wood products known for soft wood like glulam or cross laminated timber to provide construction materials and to find new sales markets. Finger joints play a key role for the production line to respect the less available sizes of boards due to the growing and drying characteristics of hardwood. To guarantee high quality products, the production parameters like profiles of finger joints, applicable adhesives and pressing pressure and pressing time are analysed in detail using experimental test series and a numerical model.