FE analysis of CLT panel subjected to torsion and verified by DIC

The goal of this study was to analyze behavior of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) panel subjected to torsion and develop an efficient procedure for quick verification of numerical model of CLT that subsequently may be used for virtual prototyping of non-standard CLT products. Study used both experiments based on optical measurement using digital image correlation (DIC) and numerical modeling by means of finite element method (FEM). A physical torsion test of the CLT panel was first analyzed in terms of a displacement field that was computed on its surface. The FE simulation of the torsion test followed real boundary conditions and was carried out with use of 2 geometrically different FE models of the CLT. The first FE model did not take into account edge-bonding of the lamellas, the second one demonstrated alternative manufacturing option by considering the lamellas’ edge-bonding. The experiment and FE simulations were mutually compared based on displacement paths created on the panel surface. Results showed that the presented procedure offers relatively easy way of verification of FE analyses of CLT. FE model with edge-bonding of lamellas exhibited higher stiffness and higher relative error to DIC measurement than FE model without edge-bonding. Edge-bonding of lamellas introduces influential factor in FE modeling of CLT and should be omitted for accurate and realistic FE analyses of their behavior. Study also showed that lack of orthotropic properties of Oregon hybrid poplar can be in FEA sufficiently substituted by using cottonwood properties. Combining the DIC measurement and FEM in the analysis of the CLT is favorable since it offers an full-field validation of numerical models, which can be subsequently used for virtual prototyping.