Is Marine ply stronger than structural ply?

Structural plywood usually has thicker face veneers than those used in concrete formwork plywood or marine plywood. Structural plywood transfers load in all directions, however because of the veneer arrangement, most structural plywood has far greater strength and stiffness in the direction of the face grain.

australply.com.au - Characteristics - Austral Plywoods

How big can a wooden structure be without planning permission?

Garden Buildings are considered Permitted Development and do NOT require planning permission as long as: The building is to be placed less than...

Last updated Jun 23, 2018

How do you insulate a shed for winter?

Be sure to do your own research and make the best decision based on how you plan to use the shed. STEP 1: Measure the Space Between the Studs. ......

Last updated Dec 4, 2022

Promotion

Engineered wood products have defined and standardised structural properties. Their strength and stiffness characteristics are therefore totally predictable. The EWPAA/JAS-ANZ product certification brand means that they are also highly reliable.

The engineered wood products that are product certified by the EWPAA are:

Structural plywood

Concrete formwork plywood

Marine plywood

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

LVL/plywood I-Beams.

Interior and exterior plywood are also product certified by the EWPAA, but they are not engineered wood products. They are non-structural panel products.

Veneer Arrangement

Each of the engineered wood products that are product certified by the EWPAA are manufactured with specific veneer arrangements to optimise their in-service performance in their intended application. The manufacturing aspects which differentiate each of the engineered wood products and result in different in-service performance characteristics are:

Density and species of timber used

Quality of veneer used

Thickness and arrangement of individual veneers

Bond type between veneers.

Density and species of timber

The density of plywood and LVL is approximately equivalent to the density of the timber species used to manufacture the product. The density of pine plywood is in the range 500 - 650 kg/m3. Eucalypt hardwood plywood density can exceed 900 kg/m3 depending on the timber species used. Generally, higher density species have higher engineering properties. Species of timber may also be chosen to provide a suitable substrate to achieve a high quality finish.

Veneer Quality

The veneer grade used in plywood or LVL will affect its structural performance. The use of all A or B grade veneers in structural plywood will increase its engineering properties by one stress grade. However, usually only higher quality face veneer grades are specified for aesthetic reasons, rather than structural performance. Marine plywood has high grade face and core veneers to not only allow a high quality finish, but to also increase impact resistance and minimise water penetration through any knots in core veneers. Useful qualities in boat building material! (Note: marine plywood is not waterproof - the final external surface finish provides the waterproof coat).

Veneer arrangement and veneer thickness

The veneer arrangement and thickness of individual veneers within plywood and LVL is critical in determining dimensional stability and the structural performance characteristics of strength and stiffness.

Dimensional stability

Cross lamination of veneer layers restricts the veneer movement across the grain due to moisture and temperature changes. Thus the dimensional stability under moisture content and temperature changes of plywood and LVL products containing cross-laminated veneer will be superior to other wood products. The dimensional stability of LVL containing no cross bands will be similar to the parent timber from which it was manufactured.

Strength and stiffness

What is the lifespan of a wooden door?

If cared for properly, a timber door has an average lifespan of 56-65 years. However, we know of timber doors which are hundreds of years old and...

Last updated Jan 4, 2023

How far can I run electrical wire underground?

As an example, for a 120-volt circuit, you can run up to 50 feet of 14 AWG cable without exceeding 3 percent voltage drop. ... For 120-volt...

Last updated Sep 23, 2021

Promotion

Generally in plywood panels, the outer most veneers have the greatest influence on strength and stiffness. Increasing the thickness of the face veneers will increase the strength and stiffness characteristics in the face grain direction. Thin face veneers with thicker underlying cross band veneers will tend to give the plywood more equal strength and stiffness characteristics in both directions. Structural plywood usually has thicker face veneers than those used in concrete formwork plywood or marine plywood. Structural plywood transfers load in all directions, however because of the veneer arrangement, most structural plywood has far greater strength and stiffness in the direction of the face grain. It is specified that structural plywood be supported such that the face grain is parallel to the span. Supporting plywood with the face grain direction at right angles to the span is not recommended. (Note: the face grain direction of plywood is normally parallel to the length of the plywood sheet). Concrete formwork plywood and marine plywood usually have thinner face veneers over thicker underlying cross veneers and are designed to have similar strength and stiffness properties in both directions; characteristics that are important in concrete formwork and boats. Actual structural properties for concrete formwork plywood both along and across the grain are specified in the EWPAA design manual "Plywood in Concrete Formwork". LVL (and I beams) usually have unidirectional veneers. That is, all veneers are parallel to the beam length and there are no cross veneers. This optimises their performance as a beam, spanning in one direction. NOTE: Generally, different plywood types are not directly substitutable for the same structural application. For example, equivalent stress grade and thickness structural and marine plywoods will not perform the same in a flooring application. The structural plywood will usually be stiffer and stronger when supported with the face grain direction parallel to the span, than will the marine plywood.

Bond Type

The EWPAA certified engineered wood products are bonded with the Type A phenolic adhesive, other than some concrete formwork plywoods which use lower durability bonds. NOTE: The bond durability is a different issue to the veneer durability. Veneers may require preservative treatment depending on the intended application of the plywood.

Resistance to Chemical Agents

Plywood is relatively unaffected by moderately acidic and alkaline conditions between pH2 and pH10 within normal atmospheric temperature ranges.

Extract from the EWPAA Publication "Facts About Plywood", courtesy of the EWPAA.

australply.com.au - Characteristics - Austral Plywoods

How often do you water overwintered plants?

Watering is needed, but not too much or too often. I've found that if these plants are watered every three to four weeks, depending on the...

Last updated Dec 30, 2021

How do you prepare ground for metal building?

How to Prep Your Site for a Metal Building Install Choose the Location. The perfect spot for a metal building should have more space than the...

Last updated Mar 1, 2019

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Will grass grow under a shed?

Some people are afraid that grass will grow under the building, and want to put landscape fabric down underneath the shed. Grass doesn't grow where...

Last updated Mar 10, 2021

Promotion

Will the housing market crash in 2023 or 2024?

Real estate experts, Capital economics expect that home prices and the rise in home prices, in general, will likely see a slowdown in 2023 and into...

Last updated May 21, 2021