
Aspen Bibliography
Assessment of Populus tremuloides (Michx) Mechanical Characteristics for Glulam Production
Document Type
Article
Author ORCID Identifier
Oscar Eric Gabriel Legrais https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9197-9616
Pierre Blanchet https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6348-0289
Clément Boudad https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4450-6233
Antoine Cogulet https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2062-8028
João Vítor Felippe Silva https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8987-354X
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Materials and Structures
Volume
58
Publisher
Springer Dordrecht
First Page
1
Last Page
16
Publication Date
1-27-2025
Abstract
This project aimed to document the mechanical properties, the bonding, and joint performance of trembling aspen to improve its use in Engineered wood products. It also aimed to study the bending characteristic and investigate the failure behavior of full-size beams made of trembling aspen. Non-destructive and destructive tests were conducted on lamellae of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) following the ASTM D198. Full-size beams were manufactured following the manufacturing principles outlined in the CSA-0122, the standard for glulam production in Canada, to evaluate the performance of finger jointing, block-shear and delamination, and to establish the glulam's bending strength. Mechanical tests on trembling aspen assessed a 5th percentile value of 13.8 MPa in tension, and 40.9 MPa in bending with a mean modulus of elasticity of 10,343 MPa. The relationship between dynamic and static modulus of elasticity was analyzed and showed a strong correlation, with low relative error, and its feasibility for machine stress rating. The test conducted on the finger joint shows a characteristic value of bending strength of 31.8 MPa. The block-shear and delamination align with the requirement from the standards CSA-0122. The investigation of the bending performance on the glulam made of trembling aspen achieved a mean strength resistance of 30.3 MPa, once modified to be compared with the values from the standard, is lower than the MOR value required from the standard. In addition to the mean modulus of elasticity determined of 9013 MPa, it is also lower than the value from the standard.
Recommended Citation
Legrais, Oscar Eric Gabriel; Blanchet, Pierre; Boudad, Clément; Cogulet, Antoine; and Silva, João Vítor Felippe, "Assessment of Populus tremuloides (Michx) Mechanical Characteristics for Glulam Production" (2025). Aspen Bibliography. Paper 8082.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/aspen_bib/8082