Performance of Canadian glulam columns with new laminae E requirements

An experimental program has been conducted to address the impact of relaxing the laminae modulus of elasticity (MOE) requirements on the strength properties of Canadian glulam columns. The database established column capacity versus length information. Furthermore, the test data shows that the MOE of the glulam specimens was slightly higher than the code specified value even though the tested glulam was manufactured with laminate having lower MOE than the code requirements. A framework for reliability analysis of Canadian glulam columns has been formulated. The procedures take into consideration the randomness of the effects of applied loads and the column resistance. Two approaches have been used to model the randomness of the column capacity: (1) calibrated Cubic Rankine Gordon curve (CRG) approach with random representation of σc and E∗ and (2) column capacity distribution fitting. Results show the performance of glulam made with new laminae grading rules exceeds the target reliability for structural wood products in Canada.