ADHESIVE TYPE INFLUENCE ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF BEECH LVL REINFORCED WITH CARBON FIBER FABRIC

In this research, nine-layer reinforced laminated veneer lumber (RLVL) was produced using beech veneer by inserting woven carbon fibers between the veneer sheets. Panels were made in industrial conditions with two types of adhesives - phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and polyurethane adhesive (PUR). The research aims to determine the influence of adhesives on the compressive strength in two directions of beech LVL reinforced with woven carbon fibers and its potential for use in load-bearing building structures. The experimental data was verified by the ANOVA model. Reinforced LVL produced using PF adhesive was stronger than those produced using PUR adhesive by 17.88% in longitudinal direction and by 31.89% in transverse direction. This research is part of an effort to encourage the implementation of hardwoods, especially beech, as renewable and ecologically sustainable material with long term use in load-bearing building structures.