Analysis of the fracture behavior of Radiata Pine timber and Laminated Veneer Lumber

•We investigated the failure behavior of Radiata Pine timber and LVL.•We used different test setups for the fracture mode I, II and mixed mode.•We could determine the material parameters fracture toughness and fracture energy.•The failure behavior of Radiate Pine LVL is more ductile than Radiata Pine timber.

The investigation of the failure mechanism of the fracture mode I and II and the mixed mode of New Zealand Radiata Pine timber and of Radiata Pine Laminated Veneer Lumber is presented. Different test setups were compared and used for the determination of the material parameters fracture toughness and fracture energy. Furthermore, the differences, advantages and disadvantages of Radiata Pine Laminated Veneer Lumber versus solid wood are presented. The investigations show that Radiata Pine Laminated Veneer Lumber is more ductile than Radiata Pine timber.