Mechanical Properties of Laminated and Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Laminated Wood Elements

Abstract

The mechanical performance of laminated panels manufactured from beech (Fagus orientalis) wood was enhanced by reinforcement with aramid fibers. Specimens were organized into three primary groups: (i) a solid (control) group, (ii) laminated groups composed of two and three layers without aramid reinforcement, and (iii) laminated groups incorporating one or two layers of aramid fiber reinforcement. Results of compressive strength tests revealed that both laminated and aramid-reinforced laminated specimens exhibited improved performance compared to the control group. Static bending strength was improved by lamination alone, and inclusion of aramid reinforcement in the lamination interface gave further enhancement. Lamination by itself did not yield a statistically significant improvement in the modulus of elasticity in static bending. A significant increase in the modulus of elasticity was observed only when aramid fibers were embedded in the lamination interface. Moreover, dynamic bending strength was substantially improved by the incorporation of aramid reinforcement into the laminated structure. The enhancement ratios were 63.4% for two-layer laminates with one aramid layer and 123.5% for three-layer laminates with two aramid layers. These findings indicate that aramid fiber reinforcement is an effective strategy for improving the mechanical performance of laminated wood composites.