Bending and energy absorption performance of novel openwork wooden panels

In many scientific studies, beams reinforced with synthetic fiber ribbons are modeled, wood composites and materials are designed, and structures made with hollow core boards are developed. However, no research was conducted on increasing the width of the flat wooden panels by modeling an openwork structure and obtaining them from solid panels of smaller width. The research aimed to determine the impact of wood species and inclination angle of the side walls on the stiffness, strength, and ability to absorb the energy of the new openwork panel made of curvilinear wooden slats. Three-point bending tests were performed numerically and verified experimentally. It has been shown that the stiffness of the openwork panels was lower compared to solid panels. No cracks in the glue line were observed. Walnut openwork panels demonstrated the best energy absorption capacity. Therefore, it is recommended that the openwork panels be made out of walnut and beech wood, rather than ash and oak. It is also more advantageous for the panel’s construction to use the 11° inclination angle of the side walls.