Load-Carrying Capacity of Laminated Veneer Lumber Joists with Notches and Holes

This study aims to assess the effect of notches and holes on the structural performance of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) joists using experimental and numerical methods. A total of 40 samples were manufactured with three different notch depths and without notch and tested under a three-point bending load. Subsequently, detailed numerical models were developed and validated with experimental results. The effect of a notch, hole, and location on the load-carrying capacity, shear and flexural stress, and flexural stiffness of the LVL joist were evaluated through the validated numerical model. Results showed that the hole and notch significantly affect the structural performance of the LVL joist. Further, the notch or hole in the middle of the bending span induces a higher load-carrying capacity reduction (i.e., more than 50%) than that of from shear span. Further, the larger hole (i.e., size beyond 33% of the joist’ depth) located in the shear and bending span reduced the load-carrying capacity by more than 15% and 50%, respectively. A similar reduction was also observed in the flexural and shear stress of the LVL joist. Moreover, this study proposed a response surface-based model to predict the failure load and flexural stiffness of LVL joists with and without holes and notches.