AN INTEGRATED STUDY OF THE LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OF WOOD-BASED PANELS IN FLOOR AND ROOF CONSTRUCTION

Objective

The project relates specifically to sub-area 1.3.4 (End-use and market
requirements) being concerned with the long-term performance characteristics
of wood-based panel products.

The principal objective of this project is to increase the efficiency in use of wood-based panels without compromising the structural integrity and safety of these environmentally friendly products. The project aims to supply information required to support the implementation of the Construction Products Directive, especially in the area of structural stability and safety.

Within this overall objective there are a number of sub-objectives which relate
to different stages in a chain covering raw material to the market.

These are :

- to examine the effect of new binders on the long-term performance of panels; this
will be studied using laboratory made panels;
- to understand the reasons for the high variability in results using new CEN test
methodology for the measurement of creep. Edge sealing of test pieces, and
various ways of characterising the actual test pieces will be studied as ways of
reducing excessive variability;
- to examine the performance of T&G profiles used in panels for flooring and roofing,
and to develop a small scale indicator test to quantify their performance;
- to study the effect of long-term concentrated loading on the performance of floors
and roofs and to assess whether or not creep in bending or in punching shear can
be used as a predictive tool;
- to improve the integration of test methodology, Eurocode 5 and performance
based design with particular reference to the structural use of wood-based panels.

The information so obtained will be used in the drafting of new European
specifications, or in the revision of existing specifications, within the brief of CEN TC112 : Wood-Based Materials. The test work will be carried out by five institutes : BRE, TTL, DTI, FHR and WKI over a three-year period.

Programme(s)

• FP4-FAIR - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development), 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 1.3.4 - End-use and market requirements

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Building Research Establishment (BRE)

Address

Bucknall's Lane Garston
WD2 7JR Watford
United Kingdom

Participants (3)

DANISH TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE

Denmark

Address

Gregersensvej - P.o. Box 141
2630 Taastrup

FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.

Germany

Address

Bienroder Weg, 54 E
38108 Braunschweig

Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA)

United Kingdom

Address

Stocking Lane Hughenden Valley
HP14 4ND High Wycombe