This study addresses the challenges associated with conventional plywood shear testing by introducing a novel miniaturized shear test method. This approach utilizes a controlled router toolpath for precise sample fabrication, enabling efficient material use and data acquisition. Miniaturized samples, designed with double shear zones, were tested for τ_xy, τ_xz, and τ_yz configurations using a universal testing machine. Results revealed a mean ultimate shear strength ranging from 5.6 MPa to 7.3 MPa and a mean shear modulus ranging from 0.039 GPa to 0.095 GPa, confirming the orthotropic nature of plywood. The resulting shear behavior was determined with stress–strain curves correlated with failure patterns. The miniaturized tests effectively captured the material’s heterogeneous behavior, particularly at smaller scales, and demonstrated consistent load-bearing capacity even after substantial stress reduction, suggesting suitability for bracing applications. This method allows for increased sample sizes, facilitating robust data collection for developing and validating finite element models. Future work will focus on evaluating the scalability of the observed orthotropic behavior and data scatter at larger scales and assessing the potential for this method to replace conventional full-scale plywood shear testing.

The construction sector’s environmental footprint is driving the adoption of sustainable modular timber systems. The WikiHouse Skylark is a promising open-source model whose structural reliability depends on the performance of its critical plywood TIE joints. This study presents an experimental investigation of full-scale TIE joints fabricated from 18 mm Pinus radiata plywood in three variants: Standard (STD), Weather-Resistant (HR), and Fire-Resistant (FR). Monotonic tensile and shear tests were conducted to evaluate load–displacement behavior and failure modes. While the mean ultimate strengths varied between panel types, with HR highest in tension (7.7 kN) and FR highest in shear (8.2 kN), the most critical finding was the effect of the treatments on failure mode. The FR treatment induced a brittle fracture with significantly reduced ductility, in contrast to the more ductile tearing observed in STD and HR panels. This highlights a clear strength–ductility trade-off introduced by the fire-retardant treatment, a key consideration for structural design in modular timber construction. This dataset provides an essential empirical foundation for the numerical modeling and design guidelines of WikiHouse TIE joints, advancing the development of resilient and sustainable prefabricated housing.

This study introduces and validates a miniaturized testing methodology for the complete orthotropic characterization of structural plywood, including out-of-plane directions that are typically difficult to access. Novel small-scale geometries were developed for tension and shear configurations, with compliance corrections applied to ensure accurate stress–strain responses. The method proved reliable and sensitive to mechanical differences arising from veneer architecture, adhesive type, and interfacial bonding. Two sets of 18 mm structural plywood panels—manufactured with distinct adhesive systems, one bio-based (F1) and one phenol-formaldehyde (F2)—were systematically tested under tensile, compressive, and shear loading in ten orthogonal configurations (T_x, T_y, T_z, C_x, C_y, C_z, τ_xy, τ_yx, τ_xz, τ_yz), following standards NCh 3617, EN 789, and ASTM B831. Tensile moduli were approximately twice the corresponding compressive values, while out-of-plane moduli reached only 6–11% of in-plane values. F1 exhibited higher stiffness in both tension and compression, particularly in transverse directions, due to thicker perpendicular veneers enhancing bending restraint and shear coupling. In contrast, F2 achieved greater peak shear strength owing to its more uniform veneer structure, which improved stress distribution and delayed interlaminar failure. Observed asymmetry between tension and compression reflected microstructural mechanisms such as fiber alignment and cell-wall buckling. The miniature-specimen data provide reliable input for constitutive calibration and finite-element modeling, while revealing clear links between veneer-thickness distribution, shear-transfer efficiency, and macroscopic performance. The proposed framework enables efficient, reproducible orthotropic characterization for optimized, lightweight, and carbon-efficient timber systems.

A single-vehicle crash involving an SUV led to the study of the failure of the anti-sway bar linkage and tire pressure and their relative effects on the handling characteristics of the vehicle. The SUV, having been involved in a rollover, was found with the anti-sway bar drop link disconnected from the suspension lower A-arm assembly. Also, after the crash, the tire pressure in the front tires on the subject vehicle was measured to be above the value specified by the SUV manufacturer; however, the pressure for one of the rear tires was measured to be roughly half of the SUV manufacturer’s recommended pressure. The other rear tire was deflated. The testing described herein addresses the question of what effects the anti-sway bar drop link disconnection or reduced rear axle tire pressure would have on the SUV’s pre-accident handling and driveability. A procedure for evaluating vehicle understeer and oversteer characteristics as specified by SAE J266 was employed to evaluate the yaw and roll plane characteristics of an exemplar vehicle. Testing was designed to include an exemplar SUV in a constant radius, increasing speed maneuver, as well as, single and double lane changes. Additionally, the characteristics of the handling of the SUV was also evaluated relative to low tire pressure for the rear axle tires. Thus, the exemplar SUV was tested with the recommended pressure on both the front and rear axle tires with the anti-sway bar connected and then disconnected; moreover, these tests were repeated with the front tires at the recommended tire pressure and the rear tires at approximately half of the recommend tire pressure according to the SUV manufacturer. From the results of these studies, conclusions regarding the relative effects of a disconnected anti-sway bar and reduced rear axle tire pressure on the stability of the subject SUV could be determined.

This study explores how integrating design processes into the native timber industry of southern Chile, specifically in the Araucanía and Los Ríos regions, can improve the value chain and promote sustainability. Chile’s native wood sector is constrained by fragmented value chains, underutilised small-diameter logs and limited market confidence. These challenges jeopardise forest sustainability and rural livelihoods, underscoring the imperative to find innovative solutions to reinvigorate the sector. A market gap analysis revealed critical limitations in the current industry, including low supply, limited demand, and weak technological development, especially in producing value-added wood products. The research identified over 417,000 hectares of second-growth roble (Nothofagus obliqua)-raulí (Nothofagus alpina)-coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi) forests suitable for sustainable management. Interviews with woodworking SMEs showed that 66% already use native timber, yet 46% of the projected volume remains underutilised due to the prevalence of short and thin logs. In response to these challenges, the study developed innovative prototypes such as interior claddings and lattices made from smaller, underutilised logs. These designs were evaluated and validated for use in residential and public buildings, demonstrating their potential to meet new market demands while promoting resource efficiency. The results show that, whilst there is a clear need for better infrastructure, workforce training, and commercial planning to support product adoption, design-driven innovation offers a promising path forward enhancing the industry’s competitiveness. Demonstrating how design-led integration can transform under-used native timber into high-value products, simultaneously driving sustainable forest stewardship and local economic growth.

Integral CNC-machined timber connections provide an efficient fastening-free solution for digitally fabricated modular construction systems. Their response under repeated loading is governed by the interaction between joint geometry, plywood architecture, contact, and progressive material damage. This study experimentally investigates the quasi-static cyclic response of full-scale TIE joints used in the WikiHouse Skylark system and manufactured from 18 mm Pinus radiata D. Don plywood. Three plywood configurations were evaluated: standard structural plywood (STD), weather-resistant plywood (HR), and fire-resistant plywood (FR), with the central TIE element oriented either parallel (//) or perpendicular (⊥) to the applied load. A displacement-controlled cyclic protocol adapted from ISO 16670 was applied. The exploratory cyclic program used one full-scale specimen per tested configuration ($n=1$), comprising six tensile configurations and three shear configurations. Tensile joints were subjected to one-sided loading–unloading cycles, whereas shear joints were subjected to reversed cyclic displacement. Under cyclic tension, maximum forces ranged from 6.082 to 9.794 kN at displacements between 6.6 and 10.3 mm, with the highest measured force obtained for the HR ⊥ configuration. Reversed cyclic shear tests produced maximum forces between 8.212 and 8.976 kN at displacements between 4.7 and 7.0 mm. Across all tested configurations, the apparent initial stiffness ($K_e$) ranged from 1.202 to 1.641 kN/mm, while the cumulative dissipated energy ($E_d$) ranged from 105.02 to 425.81 J. Damage consistently localized within or adjacent to the reduced central TIE region and involved combinations of tensile cracking, shear fracture, local crushing, fiber separation, and fiber rearrangement. The results show that the integral TIE geometry maintains a well-defined load-transfer and failure region under progressively increasing cyclic displacement. The experimental evidence provides a component-level basis for subsequent replicated testing and the development of nonlinear models of digitally fabricated plywood connections.