The Effect of Clamping Pressure and Orthotropic Wood Structure on Strength of Glued Bonds

Reference values for compression strength perpendicular to the grain were determined for radial and tangential sections of samples of sugar maple and ponderosa pine. Samples to be glued were matched according to specific gravity and orthotropic structure and bonded along the grain in tangential or radial sections. Magnitude of clamp pressure was controlled throughout a range of pressures commonly applied in industry, up to about 80% of the compression strength of the wood sample. Tests were conducted on the bonded samples to determine glueline shear strength and percent of wood failure at the bonded surfaces. Results were subjected to regression analysis to ascertain relationships. It was determined that clamping pressure had a different effect on both shear strength and percent of wood failure depending on species and orthotropic section. It is possible to maximize joint strength by applying proper clamping pressure. Results similar in direction but differing in magnitude were obtained with both PVAc and U-F adhesives. A generalized measure of clamping pressure was defined as the ratio of applied clamping pressure to the compression strength (CP/CS) of the wood section to be glued. Using this concept, the optimum clamping pressure for sugar maple was found to be 0.3 times compression strength using U-F glue and 0.5 times using PVAc glue. This approach to determining reliable clamping pressure data can lead to improved gluing practice and more precise testing procedures

Antitrust class proceedings – Then and now

In class action antitrust litigation, the standards for acceptable economic analysis at class certification have continued to evolve. The most recent event in this evolution is the United States Supreme Court's decision in Comcast Corp. v. Behrend, 133 S. Ct. 1435 (2013). The evolution of pre-Comcast law on this topic is presented, the Comcast decision is thoroughly assessed, as are the standards for developing reliable economic analysis. This article explains how economic evidence of both antitrust liability and damages ought to be developed in light of the teachings of Comcast, and how liability evidence can be used by economists to support a finding of common impact for certification purposes. In addition, the article addresses how statistical techniques such as averaging, price-dispersion analysis, and multiple regressions have and should be employed to establish common proof of damages. Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited