Wood and plywood as eco-materials for sustainable mobility: A review

Abstract

Wood has always been used by man for his means of transport. It is only since the beginning of the 20th century that it has fallen into disuse due to the industrial production of concrete, steel and plastic materials. However, with global warming becoming undeniable, the societal challenge of decarbonizing transport may bring wood back into the spotlight. In this article, after a brief historical review, arguments about its availability and durability in a bio-economic context are put forward. The main mechanical properties of wood and plywood are then reviewed, along with the main factors influencing both their static and dynamic characteristics, the latter being important for the transport sector. Plywood is extensively detailed in this review paper, as it has been widely used in transport applications in the past, and presents potential optimized mechanical characteristics and eco-friendly resource utilization. Some mechanical models are also presented and put into perspective. A brief panorama of wood associations with natural or technical fibre composites is also proposed. Then, selected recent examples show that wood still has its place in naval, automotive, aeronautical, and even space applications. Finally, some conclusions are drawn and numerous research prospects in this vast and resurgent field are put forward.