Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Adhesive laminating technology is one of the driving forces keeping Canadas wood products producers competitive, and it relies on the production of high-performance and durable engineered wood products (EWPs). The bond quality of a laminated EWP product governs its service performance, which must be accurately evaluated. The requested equipment is a 3D Stereo Microscope Digital Image Correlation System, which is specially designed to meet the applicants research requirements. This system contains one stereo microscope and two digital cameras, accompanied by software for both 3D and 2D image analysis. This system can capture the initiation of a crack(s) along a bond line at a speed of more than 150 frames per second. In addition, this system can be used to measure the deformation and shape of relatively large specimens such as a beam or a wall without mounting a microscope. These outputs form the basis of understanding the bond quality of laminated wood products. The requested system is extremely important for the research programs led by the applicant, in particular for two on-going 5-year projects funded by NSERC and NBIF, and one 2-year project funded by NRC. These projects have a high probability of developing durable, innovative laminated wood products for buildings and timber bridges. The NRC-funded project is industry-oriented, and will immediately result in production after completion. The requested system will be the only one of its kind in New Brunswick once installed, will directly support the Advanced Wood Products research group at the UNB, and will train at least 10 HQPs per year over its lifetime with the flourishing of the applicants strategically-targeted research program. The requested system will also be a big support to the co-applicants research on fiber reinforced concrete.