Orthotropic refers to a material that has different mechanical properties in three mutually perpendicular directions. In the context of timber, it means that wood behaves differently depending on the direction of the load relative to its grain—longitudinal (along the grain), radial (from the center of the tree outward), and tangential (along the growth rings).
Relevance in Timber Engineering:
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels are orthotropic panels made from an orthotropic material—timber. This dual orthotropic nature is crucial for accurate Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. Understanding how CLT panels behave differently in each direction helps engineers design efficient, safe, and structurally sound timber buildings. The way CLT distributes loads across its layers is directly influenced by timber’s orthotropic behavior, making it a key factor in advanced structural analysis.
At Ergodomus Timber Engineering, we have the expertise and experience to master these orthotropic aspects in our FEM models, ensuring that every structure is optimized for strength and performance based on how timber behaves in each direction.