Experimental Investigation on Bending Behavior of Innovative Poplar LVL Floor Diaphragms

Poplar laminated veneer lumber (poplar LVL) is made of fast-growing poplar and structural adhesive, which owns the advantages sustainability stable quality. Here an innovative LVL floor diaphragm presented, mainly up orthogonal rib beams fitted together using L-shape steel connectors. The paper deals with experimental study on bending behavior under transverse uniform load. Full-scale testing eight 3.6 m × 4.8 specimens shows that damage phenomena exhibited as separation between pulling out from beam for tapping screw. Though some local appeared before preset maximum loading level, load-deflection curves basically kept linear most specimens. Under service load level 2.5 kN/m2, distribution deflection strain full-length substantially characteristic a two-way slab. In contrast, segmented beam, situation was much more complex. Due to parametric design specimens, results illustrated height played important role in stiffness. Next sheathing panel, while spacing relatively unremarkable. At last, revised pseudo-plate method proposed evaluate novel floor, considered composite action by rigidity factors.