Summary
Plywood, in the form of a system of orthogonally oriented plies, is analyzed using strain energy considerations in order to define its elastic properties in terms of a homogeneous ‘equivalent material’. Because of the alignment of the plies these properties are orthotropic. The results obtained are either more general or more soundly based than those previously available. For a range of timbers, complete sets of nine orthotropic elastic constants are tabulated for both a three ply system and a system consisting of an even number of plies. The Poisson's ratios applicable within the plane of the plywood are significantly lower than those given by one previously available method.
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References
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Gerrand, C. The equivalent orthotropic elastic properties of plywood. Wood Sci. Technol. 21, 335–348 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380201
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380201