A five-ply panel of Eastern white pine from Wisconsin being formed into cross-laminated timber in a press at Michigan Technological University. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Alex Anderson, DNR Forest Products Specialist, Tomahawk
Alexander.Anderson@wisconsin.gov
As part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products Services mandate to explore new markets for species considered underutilized in the state, a research project was proposed to evaluate the viability of Eastern white pine (EWP) in cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels.
CLT has become increasingly popular in the U.S. during the last decade-plus, after the product was determined to be an effective alternative to traditional concrete and steel construction for multi-story construction in Europe. It is created by pressing dimension lumber (2x4s and 2x6s, typically) into large panels where each layer runs perpendicular to those above or below it, similar to plywood. This construction method allows for large structural panels to be created entirely from wood.
Various panels of cross-laminated timber, made from Eastern white pine grown in Wisconsin by Michigan Technological University, awaits a return trip to Madison, Wisconsin, for testing at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
This spring, several bundles of rough-sawn 8/4 (2” thick) EWP were delivered from Krueger Lumber in Valders, Wisconsin, to the campus of Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton, MI. Once there, the kiln-dried lumber was graded and surfaced to prepare for glue-up. Using their hydraulic press, researchers at MTU glued up multiple panels for further testing.
The panels were then shipped to the USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, for further testing.
Once complete, the hope is to demonstrate the viability of EWP in CLT panels. As mass timber, generally, and CLT, specifically, grow in popularity in the United States, this is a unique opportunity to create another market that will allow Wisconsin to better utilize EWP harvested from public and private forests.
More information on this project will be published in upcoming newsletters as results become available.
A five-ply panel of cross-laminated timber, made of Eastern white pine from Wisconsin, is made in a press at Michigan Technological University. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR