Grading of maritime pine from Sardinia (Italy) for use in cross-laminated timber

In Italy, timber- and wood-based products are being increasingly used in construction due to their outstanding physical and mechanical properties. This paper presents the preliminary results of an experimental programme that aims to explore the possible use of Sardinian timber as structural material. For this purpose, locally grown maritime pine boards were visually graded and tested to destruction. Their physical (density, knots, grain deviation, annual ring width, moisture content, etc.) and mechanical (modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, ultrasonic velocity) properties were measured and are reported in this paper. Four-point bending tests were also carried out on cross-laminated timber panels made of the previously graded wood. The results demonstrate that it is possible to use maritime pine grown in Sardinia to produce cross-laminated timber panels for use in construction.