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AIR1-CT92-0291
Characterisation, Evaluation and Development of Performance Based Tests for Wood-Based Panels for Structural and Non-Structural Applications |
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Proposal No: | AIR1-CT92-0291 |
| Date Prepared: | November 1999 | |
| Source: | Final Report March 1997 |
Summary
The overall objective of the project was to facilitate the greater use of wood panel products within the EU by developing and verifying test methods and standards that would be incorporated into harmonised European Standards. The project was divided into 3 areas of activity.
Development of performance tests for the determination of moisture resistance The main objective was to develop test methods to assess the real moisture behaviour of particleboard, fibreboard and OSB boards. Apart from material performance tests, additional test methods were required for production control and third party quality inspection to allow a continuous monitoring of the conformity of the products. The research results would form the basis for a new glue-independent test methodology for the determination of moisture resistance of wood panels and thereby for the completion of the relevant EN standards. Within this task, all the test programmes were successfully completed, generating a large volume of data. The work of analysing the data to derive a "glue independent test methodology proved to be a very difficult and time consuming task. The work has shown clear correlations between some of the short-term predictive and the long-term tests intended to show the true performance of the boards. It became clear during the analysis however that in order to obtain good correlations it may be necessary to treat the four material types (particleboard OSB, MDF and hardboard) independently as their behaviour in relation to the various test methods was very different. The decision as to which test procedures are most appropriate has to be taken in consultation with industry, and therefore a paper summarising the results has been presented to CEN TC 112 WG4. This information is now being further disseminated to the other Working Groups of TC 112 for wider discussion.
Development of test methods for creep, shear and other physical properties The main objective was to determine the relationship between different test methods for a range of mechanical and physical properties. This included: the effect of the specimen size difference between test methods used for determining characteristic mechanical properties and those used in quality control; the effect of specimen size upon creep performance and the development of a test method for measuring creep in shear; the relationship between different test methods for shear modulus; the development of test methods for various other physical properties related to the requirements of the Construction Products Directive. The results would be used to support the development of the relevant EN standards for assessing the properties of wood based board materials. Publicly available papers on thermal conductivity, water vapour transmission resistance, re-use of residues and manual handling procedures have all been produced. A paper summarising the results of three partners work in relation to test piece size effects when measuring mechanical properties has been produced by CTBA. A further paper on the size effects in creep testing is also planned by BRE.
Development of performance tests for floors and roofs containing wood panels The main objective was to develop realistic performance test methods for panel products in floors and roofs and to generate authoritative test data for a range of products commonly used in such applications. A joint DTI/TRADA publication on the subject will be introduced into the current Public Enquiry process being conducted on the Draft EN Performance Standards for floors and roofs.
Results
To disseminate the results of the project a number of publicly available documents has been produced and further documents are envisaged. Much of the information produced will be directed towards relevant CEN Committees and will be used to assist in the production of harmonised standards for the wood panels industry. Some of the work is also relevant to subsequent ongoing research projects.
Introduction
The overall objective of the project was to facilitate the greater use of wood-based panel products within the European Union. This was to be achieved by developing and verifying test methods and product standards that could be incorporated into harmonised European Standards (EN). The project was concerned with a number of physical and mechanical performance criteria for which harmonised ENs had not been agreed. The project was divided into three sub-projects, each with defined objectives and work programme, as indicated in the summary.
Objectives
Sub-project 1 The main objective of Sub-project 1 was to develop test methods, with which it would be possible to assess the real related moisture behaviour of particleboard, fibreboard and OSB boards. The strain mechanisms arising in the normal fields of application of these boards (e.g. according to Service Class 2 of Eurocode 5) were to be simulated as closely as possible. The test methods should be independent of the composition of the boards (e.g. type of adhesive.) In addition, the different test methods actually used in the EC member countries in the field of moisture resistant boards were included in order to establish the relationship between the traditional test methods and the new EN methods for assessing moisture resistant wood-based panels. Apart from these material performance tests, additional test methods were required for production control and third party quality inspection which would allow a continuous monitoring of the conformity of the products. The research results would form the basis for a new, glue-independent test methodology for the determination of moisture resistance of wood-based panels and thereby for the completion of the relevant EN standards.
Sub-project 2 The main objective of Sub-project 2 was to determine the relationship between different test methods for a range of mechanical and physical properties not included in Sub-project The results of the activities would be used to support the development of the relevant CEN standards for assessing the properties of wood based board materials. They included:
Sub-project 3 The main objective of Sub-project 3 was to develop realistic performance test methods for uses of panel products in floors and roofs and to generate authoritative test data for a range of products commonly used in such applications. The results would be used to support the development of CEN performance test methods for floors and roofs.
Results
All tasks were successfully completed resulting in very large number of results, the analysis of which has been very time consuming and laborious. The process of dissemination and interpretation of these results is expected to continue beyond the completion of the project for many years, helping in support of the wood-based panels industry and the production of harmonised European standards.
The work has shown some clear correlations between some of the short-term predictive tests and the long-term tests intended to show the true performance of the boards. It became clear during the analysis however that in order to obtain good correlations it may be necessary to treat the four material types (particleboard, OSB, MDF and hardboard) independently, as their behaviour in relation to the various test methods was very different. The decision as to which test procedures are most appropriate for industry use is a partly subjective one and has to be taken in consultation with industry. A paper summarising the results of the extensive test and analysis programme has been presented to CEN TC 112 WG4. That Committee has recommended that the report be sent to the Working Groups responsible for the individual material specifications for further consideration.
Sub-project 2, resulted in publicly available papers on thermal conductivity, water vapour transmission resistance, re-use of residues and manual handling procedures have been produced. Other papers cover test piece size effects when measuring mechanical properties and the size effects in creep testing.
Sub-project 3, provided results introduced into the Public Enquiry process conducted on the Draft EN Performance Standards for floors and roofs.
Conclusions
All the project tasks were successfully completed and considerable effort has gone into the analysis and interpretation of the results. To continue the dissemination actions, a number of publicly available documents has been produced. Much of the information produced will be directed towards relevant CEN Committees and will be used to assist in the production of harmonised standards for the wood-based panels industry. Some of the work is also relevant to subsequent ongoing research projects. It is considered that the overall objective of the project of "facilitating the greater use of wood-based panels" will be achieved as the results are incorporated into the European Standards through the CEN procedures.
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