This book highlights the charring rate performance of LVL made from tropical hardwood according to EN 13381-7 and BS 476 standards. Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is produced by bonding layers of wood veneers using adhesives, heat, and pressure, resulting in products that are typically stronger, more dimensionally stable, and more resistant to environmental factors than solid timber. This makes LVL highly versatile for use in structural components of buildings. However, there remains limited knowledge about how LVL, particularly those made from tropical hardwood, performs under fire exposure. Understanding the charring process, where the outer wood layers degrade and form a protective char layer insulating the core helps engineers estimate the load-bearing capacity of LVL during a fire. Experimental studies and predictive models are discussed to provide insights into charring behavior under different conditions. The findings contribute to enhancing fire safety design in timber construction, ensuring compliance with international standards and improving the resilience of timber buildings during fire scenarios.
Engineered Wood Products as Construction Material.- Fundamentals of Fire
and Combustion.- Fire Resistance.- One-Dimensional Charring Rate for
Laminated Veneer Lumber from Malaysian Tropical Timber.- Two-Dimensional
Charring Rate for Laminated Veneer Lumber from Malaysian Tropical Timber.
Ts. Dr. Zulhazmee Bakri is Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology (FEST) at Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL). He specializes in structural engineering, with a particular focus on fire performance in timber products. He obtained his Ph.D. in civil engineering and has contributed extensively to research on sustainable construction materials and their applications in modern engineering. He is passionate about advancing construction safety and sustainability through innovative material solutions.
Dr. Zakiah Ahmad is Professor of School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Mara. Her research interests are in engineered timber composite, lignocellulose nano-polymer composites, and bamboo. She is Recipient of Top Research Scientist Malaysia, Standard Malaysia Award, and Distinguished Scholar Award.
