Kinji Taki

Bondability of tropical fast-growing tree species I : Indonesian wood species

To estimate the potential bonding performance of bonded wood products from tropical fast-growing tree species, a study on the bondability of Paraserianthes falcataria L. Nielsen, Pinus merkusii Jungh et. De. Vriese, and Acacia mangium Willd from Indonesia was conducted. Two-ply laminations were produced using polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVAc), urea formaldehyde (UF), resorcinol formaldehyde (RF), and water-based polymer isocyanate (API) adhesives. In order to determine the bonding performance, the block-shear test was applied according to the Japanese Agricultural Standard for structural glued laminated timber under normal conditions and after accelerated-aging treatments. To support this study, the wettability of each wood species was also investigated through contact-angle measurement. The results showed that the bonding performance of low-density P. falcataria was better than that of medium-density P. merkusii and medium-density A. mangium, while the bonding performance of medium-density P. merkusii was better than that of medium-density A. mangium. Furthermore, compared with A. mangium, the small contact angle and good wettability in P. falcataria and P. merkusii result in better adhesion and more intimate contact between the wood surfaces and adhesive.

Bondability of tropical fast-growing tree species III : curing behavior of resorcinol formaldehyde resin adhesive at room temperature and effects of extractives of Acacia mangium wood on bonding

The effects of curing time at room temperature and methanol extracts from Acacia mangium on the curing behavior of resorcinol formaldehyde (RF) adhesive were examined by using the thermomechanical analysis spring method. For a specimen that was cured for 3 months at room temperature, the relative elasticity (Er) curve did not change to a hard glass state from room temperature to 200°C and the adhesive had cured completely. The initial temperature of the reactive zone for chemical and mechanical changes was 15° and 25°C higher than that for the control when 10 and 15 parts by weight methanol extract was added to the liquid adhesive, respectively. It appears that the extractives of A. mangium in RF adhesive interferes with the chemical cure of the adhesive. It is suggested that a combination of curing time and sweeping by methanol on the laminae surface can improve the bonding performance of A. mangium laminates bonded with RF at room temperature.

Development of LVL frame structures using glued metal plate joints II: strength properties and failure behavior under lateral loading

In past years high priority was given to developing a seismic design for wood structures, including research on the response of wood structures to earthquakes. In this study a new type of portal frame with relatively large span was developed for the traditional Japanese wooden houses with large openings at the front to strengthen the structure. Stainless steel plates coated with zinc and glued with epoxy adhesives on laminated veneer lumber (LVL) members, composed of Douglas fir veneer and bonded with phenolformaldehyde resin, were used. The connection between the frames beam and columns and between the columns and groundsills was mechanical, with bolts. The subject of this research was to analyze strength properties and failure behavior of glued LVL metal joints used as structural components and to evaluate the response of LVL portal frames under cyclic lateral loading. The results show that portal frames using glued LVL metal plates have a good multiplier for the shear walls and may be applied to traditional Japanese structures. The equivalent viscous damping provided good energy dissipation in the frames. The joints displayed good mechanical behavior during tests; moreover, the structures demonstrated high strength, stiffness, and ductility, which are necessary for a seismic design.

Development of LVL frame structures using glued metal plate joints I: bond quality and joint performance of LVL-metal joints using epoxy resins

Bond quality and joint performance between laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and metal plates were investigated. Commercially fabricated LVL made of Douglas fir veneer and bonded with phenol-formaldehyde resin as well as three types of epoxy adhesives were used. Various surface preparations and treatments were applied to ordinary steel, stainless steel, and aluminum plates to remove the weak boundary layer that is incompatible with the resin and form a stable adherend layer that is chemically and mechanically compatible with the resin. Small specimens were tested in shear to search the most suitable metal surface for bonding with LVL. Generally, shear strength obtained for the specimens bonded with aluminum plates was lower than those bonded with ordinary steel plates. Among them chemically treated (ChT) and roughened (R) surfaces have demonstrated superior performance. To investigate strength performance and bond quality, LVL beams jointed with metal plates were tested while bending. The best results were obtained for specimens bonded with zinccoated metal plates, though good results were obtained also for ChT and R plates. However, the fracture proved to be fragile when no drift pins were used, even for high-performance surface treatments. The usage of drift pins was necessary to add toughness and avoid the brittle status of the fracture.