ReedStrand passes its first load tests

Four-point bending to EN 310 on 24 specimens returned a characteristic bending strength of 41 MPa and a mean modulus of 5,900 MPa. That places aligned reed strand between softwood OSB and LVL, with a lower coefficient of variation than expected from an annual crop.

Practically, that is enough for 7.2 m clear-span floor cassettes at residential loading, provided the panel edges are sealed against moisture ingress. Wet-cycle specimens lost 18% of strength and recovered 14% on drying — the residual 4% is treated as permanent in design.

The next test series covers long-term creep and fire behaviour under load; until it publishes, ReedStrand should not be specified for spans above 7.2 m or for elements in permanently humid rooms.

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