Structural reclaimed wood – reuse, re-reuse, and repurposing
Open accessAbstract
Wood is a common construction material that has a long tradition, resulting in many existing wood-framed and wood-joist buildings. When a building is removed at the end of use the wood is often in good condition. However, reused wood is rarely considered suitable for use within new structural systems. Typically, wood from building removal is downcycled or landfilled. This is a waste of valuable materials and leads to the release of stored carbon as wood decomposes. This paper investigates three approaches for the structural reuse of reclaimed wood: enabling wood components to be reused structurally in new configurations; enabling wood connections to be dismantled and reassembled for further re-reuse of structural elements; and enabling low environmental impact and reversible methods of aggregating small-dimension reclaimed components into larger-dimension structural elements. Together, these approaches facilitate the use of reclaimed wood in design and construction to reduce future wood extraction and waste.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This paper uses three sequential case-study projects with reclaimed wood from the Catherine Commons Deconstruction Project to test structural reuse in new configurations, re-reuse through dismantled and reassembled screw connections, and repurposing by non-adhesive lamination of small components. It finds comparable screw-connection performance after re-installation and that interlocking GrooveLam surfaces can approach glue-laminated stiffness, while reclaimed-wood design-value assessment methods vary widely.
Key findings
- For reclaimed-wood design values, specific-gravity formulas produced higher MOR than static bending (+34% to +58%) and species ID (+86% to +131%); for MOE they were higher than static bending (+30% to +48%) and species ID (+20% to +27%). Static bending was considered most representative but time-consuming.
- In nine T-stub screw-connection tests, there was no significant difference in strength or stiffness among new install, re-install, and re-position methods; specific-gravity correlation was strong for new install (R²=0.99 strength, R²=0.95 stiffness) and weak for re-position (R²=0.07 and R²=0.33).
- In 40 laminated-beam bending tests, glue lamination had 31% higher mean MOR than fastened interlocking interfaces and 62% higher than flat interfaces; glue lamination mean MOE was 19% higher than the mean of three interlocking methods, and 159% higher than flat interfaces.
- Context numbers: an estimated 310,000 residential housing units are demolished annually in the USA; at least 37 Mt of wood is disposed of annually, about 22% of construction and demolition debris; 65–85% of a building’s embodied carbon is emitted during LCA production phases A1–A4.
Methods
- The paper follows three case-study projects using reclaimed wood from the Catherine Commons Deconstruction Project: Circulating Matters (method A: reuse), Circulating Matters 2 (method B: re-reuse), and GrooveLam (method C: remanufacture).
- Method A compared three procedures for determining reclaimed-wood design values: wood species identification (4 samples), specific gravity measurements (17 samples), and static bending tests (same 17 samples), with MOR and MOE compared against assumed design values.
- Method B fabricated nine T-stub beam-column connections using reclaimed wood and three screw installation methods, then loaded them to measure rotational stiffness and maximum rotational moment. Method C tested 40 laminated beams in bending per ASTM D198-15 with a 1257 mm span, using five beams per combination of four fastener types and two interface treatments.
Limitations
- Stated: static bending was most representative but time-consuming, required specialist facilities and knowledge, and may be impractical commercially; unless additional tests are done, other mechanical properties such as shear or compression/tension must be indirectly estimated. Species identification is specialist and can be inconclusive, and the specific-gravity method produced higher values and needs further development/calibration, especially for MOE.
- Stated: design codes do not explicitly prohibit reuse of fasteners or fastener holes but discourage it, and no studies are available quantifying the impact of removing and reinstalling wood screws on dowel-action connections.
- Evident from the text: the tests use small sample sizes and a single reclaimed-wood population/case-study context, and the structural testing is limited to bending and connection metrics rather than a full range of mechanical properties or multi-layer elements, so generalization is uncertain.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 2 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
For the tested laminated beams, the mean and median MOR results for interlocking interface surfaces were all larger than the mean and median MOR results for non-adhesive flat interface surfaces.
“The mean and median MOR results for the interlocking interface surfaces are all larger than the mean and median MOR results for the non-adhesive flat interface surface results.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The successful construction of Circulating Matters 2 confirmed the practical feasibility and suitability of removing fasteners and reusing them a second time.
“the successful construction of Circulating Matters 2 also confirmed the practical feasibility and suitability of removing fasteners and reusing them a second time.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Reuse of reclaimed materials is seen among the most impactful strategies for achieving the carbon emission reductions needed in the built environment.
“yet reuse of reclaimed materials is seen among the most impactful strategies (Heisel et al., 2022).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Heisel et al., 2022 source
- Interpretationown data
The interlocking interface surface is crucial in generating sufficient shear transfer between laminations for stiff beams.
“This suggests that the interlocking interface surface is crucial in generating sufficient shear transfer between the laminations for stiff beams.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The large variation in specific gravity of the reclaimed wood elements used in the tests had more impact on the strength and stiffness of the connection than the installation method.
“it can be concluded that the large variation in specific gravity in the reclaimed wood elements used in the tests has more impact on the strength and stiffness of the connection than the installation method.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Interpretationown data
The specific gravity method may require further development to calibrate its functions for reclaimed material design values, particularly with regard to MOE.
“This suggests that the method may require further development for both new and reclaimed material design values.”
- Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
“however further development is necessary to calibrate the functions for reclaimed material design values, particularly with regards to MOE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
- Interpretationown data
The results of the static bending method are the most representative of the actual design values of this reclaimed wood population.
“The results of the static bending method are considered the most representative of the actual design values of this reclaimed wood population.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The use of permanent adhesives leads to increased health and embodied carbon impacts associated with the adhesive resins currently used commercially.
“the use of permanent adhesives leads to increased health and embodied carbon impacts associated with the adhesive resins currently used commercially (Bushi et al., 2022).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bushi et al., 2022
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
Using empirical functions that relate mechanical properties to specific gravity is the method most suitable for commercial structural design of reclaimed wood.
“Using empirical functions that relate mechanical properties to specific gravity was considered the method most suitable to commercial structural design”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Determining specific gravity provides design information for connection design, which can often be the critical design factor in a wood structure.
- Interpretationown data
For beams controlled by stiffness rather than strength, interlocking interface surfaces with non-adhesive fasteners between laminations could provide structural performance similar to glue laminated beams.
“for beams which are controlled by stiffness instead of strength, the use of interlocking interface surfaces with non-adhesive fasteners between laminations could provide a similar structural performance as compared to glue laminated beams.”
- Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
“comparable levels of beam stiffness can be achieved through the use of GrooveLam -an interlocking toothed longitudinal shear surface between wood lamella.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
- May combine two claims. 14
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 6
- The quote only partly states this claim. 1
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe correlation between specific gravity and connection strength and stiffness was strong for new-install connections (R2=0.99 and R2=0.95) and weak for re-positioned connections (R2=0.07 and R2=0.33).
“the correlation between specific gravity and strength and stiffness was strong for connections installed with '1 -New install' (R2=0.99 and R2=0.95 respectively) and weak for '3 -Re-position' (R2=0.07 and R2=0.33 respectively).”
- Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
“For new installed and re-installed connections, the connection performance was closely related to the specific gravity of the receiving wood, while for re-positioned connections this correlation was less clear.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe mean MOE of the traditional glue lamination method was 19% higher than the mean of all three interlocking interface methods and 159% higher than the mean of the flat interface surfaces.
“The performance of the traditional glue lamination method has a mean MOE 19% higher than the mean of all three interlocking interface methods.”
- Also stated in: § 4 REMANUFACTURE (METHOD C) · plain
“the glue lamination method is markedly better than the other fastener types for flat interface surfaces, showing a 159% increase compared to the mean value of the flat interface surfaces.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Also stated in: § 4 REMANUFACTURE (METHOD C) · plain
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataIn the Circulating Matters reclaimed-wood population, design values for modulus of rupture derived from formulas relating specific gravity to MOR were 34% to 58% higher than those from the static bending test method and 86% to 131% higher than those from the species identification method.
“The use of formulas relating specific gravity to MOR produced significantly higher values than the static bending test method (+34% to +58%) and the species ID method (+86% to +131%).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataIn the Circulating Matters reclaimed-wood population, design values for modulus of elasticity derived from formulas relating specific gravity to MOE were 30% to 48% higher than those from the static bending test method and 20% to 27% higher than those from the species identification method, and the static bending method gave the lowest MOE of the three methods.
“The use of formulas relating specific gravity to MOE produced higher values than the static bending test method (+30% to +48%) and the species ID method (+20% to +27%).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe mean MOR of the traditional glue lamination method was 31% higher than the mean of the fastened interlocking interface surfaces and 62% higher than the mean of the flat interface surfaces.
“showing a 31% increase compared to the mean value of the fastened interlocking interface surfaces, and a 62% increase compared to the mean value of the flat interface surfaces.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe mean moment capacity and rotational stiffness of the new-install connections were not higher than those of the re-installed connections.
“Counter-intuitively, the mean moment capacity and rotational stiffness results for '1 -New install' were not higher than the alternative re-installed connections.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S4 (based). The quote only partly states this claim.
Findingown dataFor the tested laminated beams, the mean and median MOE results for interlocking interface surfaces were all significantly larger than those for non-adhesive flat interface surfaces.
“The mean and median MOE results for the interlocking interface surfaces are all significantly larger than the mean and median MOR results for the non-adhesive flat interface surface results.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThere was no significant difference in strength or stiffness of the tested screwed T-stub connections related to the installation method (new install, re-install, or re-position), with large overlapping result ranges for all three methods on both measures.
“There is no significant difference in strength or stiffness of the connections related to the installation method, with large overlapping result ranges for all three methods for both measures.”
- Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
“The overall connection strength and stiffness of screwed connections was similar whether the screws were new installed, re-installed, or re-positioned.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Also stated in: § 5 CONCLUSIONS · plain
May combine two claims.
PremisereasoningNon-adhesive lamination methods that use nails, dowels and straps to connect elements reduce the toxic and environmental impacts of engineered wood products and allow for potential future reuse of the wood feedstock.
“Non-adhesive lamination methods that use nails, dowels, and straps to connect elements are considered alternatives that reduce toxic and environmental impacts of engineered wood products and allow for potential future reuse of the wood feedstock.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Premisenone givenDesign codes do not explicitly prohibit the reuse of fasteners or of fastener holes, although such reuse is discouraged in practice.
“Design codes do not explicitly prohibit the reuse of fasteners or the reuse of fastener holes, although this is discouraged in practice.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Premisenone givenThe use of reclaimed wood elements is not currently addressed in the United States regulatory framework.
“In contrast, the use of reclaimed wood elements is not currently addressed in the United States.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Premisenone givenReusing dimensional lumber in new construction instead of new virgin lumber allows for embodied carbon reductions in the product stages and continues to sequester carbon in the structural element for multiple life cycles, reducing end-of-life emissions.
“reusing dimensional lumber in new construction as opposed to new virgin lumber allows for embodied carbon reductions in the product stages, and continues to sequester carbon in the structural element for multiple life cycles, reducing the emissions associated with the end-of-life stage of a project lifecycle.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataThe three methods for determining wood design values were in this instance sufficient to provide a safe structural design for Circulating Matters, but likely led to underutilization of the reclaimed structural members.
“The three methods for determining wood design values for Circulating Matters were in this instance sufficient in providing a safe structural design, however likely led to the underutilization of the reclaimed structural members.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataRemoving and reinstalling screws leads to less reliable structural behaviour with respect to the specific gravity of the members, even though overall strength and stiffness of the three installation methods was similar.
“the act of removing and reinstalling screws leads to less reliable structural behavior in respect to the primary design factor for wood connection design, specific gravity of the members.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenThe specific gravity method's sample preparation, volume and moisture-content measurement and weighing can be completed with inexpensive, readily available equipment, which makes the process accessible to a wider range of parties and suitable for commercial application.
“The preparation, measuring of volume, measuring of moisture content, and weighing of samples to determine specific gravity can be completed with inexpensive and readily available equipment.This makes the process accessible to a wider range of parties, and suitable for commercial application.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Premisenone givenNo studies are available that quantify the impact of removing and reinstalling wood screws on dowel-action wood screw connections.
“No studies are available that quantify the impact of removing and reinstalling wood screws on dowel-action wood screw connections.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningTogether, the three methods form a suite of strategies that facilitate the use of reclaimed wood in design and construction, promoting structural element reuse and re-reuse and the repurposing of elements to reduce future wood extraction and waste.
“Together, the methods present a suite of strategies to facilitate the use of reclaimed wood in design and construction that promote structural element reuse and re-reuse, and the repurposing of elements to reduce both future wood extraction and waste.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenThe Circulating Matters installation, though small in dimensions, required a full building permit and structural analysis for the City of Ithaca, NY.
“While small in dimensions, the installation required a full building permit and structural analysis for the City of Ithaca, NY.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
Determining specific gravity provides design information for connection design, which can often be the critical design factor in a wood structure.
“It should be noted that determining information on specific gravity does provide design information for connection design, which can often be the critical design factor in a wood structure.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The available length of reclaimed elements is often reduced by trimming of component ends during deconstruction and by removal of damaged portions, so there is a demand for ways to reuse wood of shorter lengths.
“Often the available length of elements is reduced due to trimming of component ends during the deconstruction process, or the subsequent removal of damaged portions of elements.Therefore, there is a demand for finding alternate ways to reuse wood with shorter lengths.”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Conflicting statements about code restrictions on screw reuse
MinorThe paper first states that current design codes do not allow the same screws to be reused at the same connection location. Later, it states that design codes do not explicitly prohibit reusing fasteners or fastener holes.
“current engineering design codes do not allow for the direct reuse of the same screw connectors at the same connection location within the same structural system”
“Design codes do not explicitly prohibit the reuse of fasteners or the reuse of fastener holes, although this is discouraged in practice.”
Cites
Rose, C. M., Bergsagel, D., Dufresne, T., Unubreme, E., Lyu, T., Duffour, P., & Stegemann, J. A. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10114118 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationHeisel, F., & Hebel, D. E. (2022) · doi:10.1515/9783035626353 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationHeisel, F., McGranahan, J., Lucas, A., Cohen, D., & Stone, G. (2023) · Journal of Physics Conference Series · doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2600/19/192003 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Huber, J. A. J., Svilans, T., Kauniste, M., Vonk, N. H., Broman, O., Tuhkanen, E., Wuyts, W., Just, A., Tamke, M., & Thomsen, M. R. (2026) · European Journal of Wood and Wood Products · doi:10.1007/s00107-026-02433-1 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Heisel, F., & Bergsagel, D.
- Affiliations
- Cornell University (US)
- Venue
- Structures and Architecture
- Publisher
- CRC Press
- Published
- 2025-06-30
- Pages
- 19-26
- OpenAlex
- W4411832114
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 4.08
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- CRC Press eBooks (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future , Cornell University
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Wood Treatment and Properties
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Sustainable Design and Development
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Sustainable Building Design and Assessment
- Keywords
- reclaimed wood, structural reuse, repurposing, wood waste, building demolition, timber connections, carbon storage, timber-framed buildings
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