Variation in wood properties among five full-sib families of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Genetic- and environmental variation and correlation patterns were characterized for modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and related wood traits: latewood proportion, wood density, spiral grain, microfibril angle and lignin content in five full-sib families of Norway spruce. The families were evaluated on the basis of clearwood specimens from the juvenile -mature wood transition zone of 93 sampled trees at age 30 year from seed. Family-means varied significantly (p < 0.05) for all wood traits studied except lignin content. MOE varied between 7.9–14.1 GPa among trees and 9.4–11.0 GPa among families. MOR varied between 47–87 MPa among trees and 61–71 MPa among families. Families remained significantly different in an analysis of specific MOE (MOE/density) and MOR (MOR/density). Hence, solely relying on wood density as a wood quality trait in tree breeding would not fully yield the potential genetic gain for MOE and MOR. Correlations between wood structural traits and specific MOE and MOR are presented and discussed.     

Radial and between-family variations of the microfibril angle and the relationships with bending properties in Picea jezoensis families

With emphasis on tree breeding for wood quality in Picea jezoensis, we aimed to evaluate radial and between-family variations in the microfibril angle (MFA) of the S₂ layer in the latewood tracheids in 10 open-pollinated families of 43-year-old P. jezoensis trees. In addition, the relationships between MFA/wood density with the modulus of elasticity (MOE) or modulus of rupture (MOR) were investigated. Significant differences in MFA between families were found from the pith toward the bark. MFA showed higher values around the pith area, although some families showed relatively lower values than others around this area. In addition, due to a larger coefficient of variations of MFA near the pith, the potential for juvenile wood MFA improvement may be greater compared with mature wood. MOE was correlated with MFA in juvenile wood and with wood density in mature wood, whereas MOR was mainly correlated with wood density at radial positions in both woods. Therefore, to improve the MOE and MOR of P. jezoensis wood, both MFA and wood density would be factors to consider in both juvenile and mature woods. On the other hand, there are indications that, only wood density would be an important criterion for improving mature wood properties.     

Prediction of wood stiffness, strength, and shrinkage in juvenile wood of radiata pine

Development of optimal ways to predict juvenile wood stiffness, strength, and stability using wood properties that can be measured with relative ease and low cost is a priority for tree breeding and silviculture. Wood static modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), radial, tangential, and longitudinal shrinkage (RS, TS, LS), wood density (DEN), sound wave velocity (SWV), spiral grain (SLG), and microfibril angle (MFA) were measured on juvenile wood samples from lower stem sections in two radiata pine test plantations. Variation between inner (rings 1–2 from pith) and outer (rings 3–6 from pith) rings was generally larger than that among trees. MOE and MOR were lower (50%) in inner-rings than in outer-rings. RS and TS were higher (30–50%) for outer-rings than inner-rings, but LS decreased rapidly (>200%) from inner-rings to outer-rings. DEN had a higher correlation with MOR than with MOE, while MFA had a higher correlation with dry wood MOE than with MOR. SLG had higher significant correlation with MOE than with MOR. DEN and MOE had a weak, significant linear relationship with RS and TS, while MOE had a strong negative non-linear relationship with LS. Multiple regressions had a good potential as a method for predicting billet stiffness (R ² > 0.42), but had only a weak potential to predict wood strength and shrinkage (R ² < 0.22). For wood stiffness acoustic velocity measurements seemed to be the most practical, and for wood strength and stability acoustic velocity plus core density seemed to be the most practical measurements for predicting lower stem average in young trees.     

Static bending properties of Finnish birch wood

The purpose of this study was to determine the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the modulus of rupture (MOR) in the radial bending test for small, clear specimens of Finnish birch (Betula pendula Roth and B. pubescens Ehrh) wood originating from mature trees. The dependency of MOE and MOR on the specific gravity of birch wood was studied, and the relationship between MOE and MOR was modelled at the different heights and at the different distances from the pith of the tree. For B. pendula, the mean values for MOE and MOR were 14.5 GPa and 114 MPa, whereas B. pubescens had means of 13.2 GPa and 104 MPa, respectively. At the corresponding specific gravity, the bending stiffness and strength values did not differ between the two species. The results indicated a linear relationship between the MOE and MOR, irrespective of the birch species or the within-stem location. Both MOE and MOR increased clearly from the pith towards the surface of the tree and decreased slightly from the base to the top of the tree. It seems that if products with as high stiffness and bending strength as possible are wanted, sorting of raw materials into different grades according to their within-tree origin can be of value.     

Performance of samama (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) LVL based on veneer thickness,juvenile proportion and lay-up

ABSTRACT

A study to determine the quality of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from samama wood (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) was carried out. Samama is a fast-growing endemic wood in eastern Indonesia. Factorial of three factors in RAL design was used to investigate the influence of veneer thickness, juvenile proportion and veneer lay-up to the quality of the resulted samama LVL. The veneer thicknesses were 1.5 and 3.0?mm. Juvenile proportions were arranged in five levels, which were 100% of juvenile veneer, 100% of mature veneer and combination of both juvenile and mature with juvenile proportion of 14%, 43% and 71%. Two veneer lay-up used in this study were loose side met loose side and tight side met loose side. The result of the study showed various specific gravity of LVL by different proportions of juvenile. This factor also affected the other physical traits. Shear strength of the LVL was equal to the solid wood, yet MOE and MOR were affected by juvenile proportion and veneer lay-up. LVL developed from 100% of mature veneer exhibited the highest MOE and MOR, yet no significant difference was noted in MOE and MOR between LVL 100% of juvenile and other tested juvenile proportions.     

Genetic variation in wood stiffness and strength properties of hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi)

Genetic parameters for wood stiffness and strength properties were estimated in a 29-year-old hybrid larch stand (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × Larix kaempferi). The study included 19 full-sib larch families from Hokkaido, northern Japan. Implications of these genetic parameters in wood quality improvement are subsequently discussed. Traits included in the analyses were the dynamic modulus of elasticity of green logs (E _log), the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the modulus of rupture (MOR), compression strength parallel to the grain (CS) in small clear specimens, wood density (DEN), and diameter at breast height (DBH). DEN had the lowest coefficients of variation and MOE the highest. The narrow-sense heritability estimates of E _log, MOE, MOR, and CS were 0.61, 0.44, 0.60, and 0.43, respectively, and those of DEN and all mechanical properties increased from an inner to outer position within the stem. E _log and DEN had high positive phenotypic (0.52–0.83) and genetic (0.70–0.92) correlations with MOE, MOR, and CS. The mechanical properties of the inner position of the stem had rather high phenotypic and genetic correlations with those of the outer position and overall mean. The predicted gains in wood stiffness (E _log and MOE) were higher than those of the strength properties (MOR and CS). The predicted correlated responses in MOE, MOR, and CS when selecting for E _log and DEN were 72.6%–97.8% of a gain achievable from direct selection of these traits. DBH showed an insignificant correlation with all mechanical properties, although selection of this trait had a slightly negative effect on the mechanical properties.     

Mechanical properties assessment of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation wood with three acoustic-based nondestructive methods

The objectives of this study were to establish the method of evaluating wood mechanical properties by acoustic nondestructive testing at standing trees and at logs of a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantation, and to compare three acoustic nondestructive methods for evaluating the static bending modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and compressive strength parallel-to-grain (σ_c) of plantation wood as well. Fifteen Chinese fir plantation trees at 36 years of age were selected. Each tree was cut into four logs, for which three values of dynamic modulus of elasticity, i.e., E _sw, of the north and south face based on stress waves to assume the measuring state of the standing tree, E _fr, longitudinal vibration, and E _us, ultrasonic wave, were measured in the green condition. After log measurements, small specimens were cut and air-dried to 12% moisture content (MC). Static bending tests were then performed to determine the bending MOE and MOR, and compressive tests parallel-to-grain were made to determine σ_c. The bending MOE of small clear specimens was about 7.1% and 15.4% less than E _sw and E _us, respectively, and 11.3% greater than E _fr. The differences between the bending MOE and dynamic MOE of logs as determined by the three acoustic methods were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Good correlation (R = 0.77, 0.57, and 0.45) between E _sw, E _fr, and E _us and static MOE, respectively, were obtained (P < 0.001). It can be concluded that longitudinal vibration may be the most precise and reliable technique to evaluate the mechanical properties of logs among these three acoustic nondestructive methods. Moreover, the results indicate that stress wave technology would be effective to evaluate wood mechanical properties both from logs and from the standing tree.     

红松幼龄材与成熟材力学性质的差异

本文研究了人工林和天然林红松幼龄材与成熟材力学性质的差异.结果显示,成熟材的所有力学性质均高于幼龄材.幼龄材与成熟材的抗弯弹性模量差异在人工林红松中达0.01水平显著,天然林红松也达到0.01水平显著;人工林红松抗弯强度和弦向横纹抗压强度差异达0.05水平显著.抗弯强度、顺纹抗压强度、横切面硬度和弦向横纹抗压强度4项指标的差异达0.05水平显著.     

Optimization of processing variables during heat treatment of oak (Quercus mongolica) wood

The properties of oak heat treated at temperatures of 160–220 °C, oxygen concentrations of 2–10 %, steam pressures of 0.1–0.4 MPa and treatment time of 2–4 h were investigated. Although modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of the heat-treated wood (HTW) were reduced, the value of $ \Updelta E^{*} $ was increased, and the dimensional stability [anti-swelling efficiency in radial (ASE-R), anti-humidity efficiency (AHE)] was improved considerably. Six regression equations (temperature, oxygen concentration, steam pressure and time as functions of MOE, MOR, ASE-R, AHE, EMC and $ \Updelta E^{*} $ ) were developed for the estimation and a nonlinear programming model was derived with operation research theory to obtain the most desirable HTW properties under some production constraints.     

Relation of chemical and mechanical properties of Eucalyptus nitens wood thermally modified in open and closed systems

ABSTRACT

In the present work, Eucalyptus nitens was thermally modified in an open (atmospheric pressure) and a closed (under pressure) reactor system. The effect of the changes of the chemical composition on the mechanical properties was investigated. Hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin, extractives, acetic acid, formic acid, total phenols and the cellulose degree of polymerization (DP) as well as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured for each modification. The results indicated that the closed system modification, particularly at high pressure, presented stronger variations on the chemical structure of the modified wood than the modifications in the open system. In both modifications, MOR showed a better correlation with the chemical changes than the MOE, especially xylose, cellulose DP, lignin and total phenols. These correlations suggest a tendency of a more brittle wood in the closed system modification at high pressure than in the modifications in the open system. Results can be used as a reference for future applications of thermally modified E. nitens wood.     

Within-stem variations in mechanical properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis> planted in northern Vietnam

Within-stem variations in the mechanical properties of 17–19-year-old Melia azedarach planted in two sites in northern Vietnam were examined by destructive and nondestructive methods. Wood samples were collected from 10, 50, and 90% of the radial length from pith on both sides (North and South) at 0.3, 1.3, 3.3, 5.3, and 7.3 m heights above the ground. The mean values in whole trees of wood density (WD), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and dynamic modulus of elasticity (E_d) at 12% moisture content were 0.51 g/cm³, 78.58 MPa, 9.26 GPa, and 10.93 GPa, respectively. Within the stem, the radial position was a highly (p?<?0.001) significant source of variation in mechanical properties. MOR, MOE, and E_d increased from pith to bark. WD had a strong positive linear relationship with both MOR (r?=?0.85, p?<?0.001) and MOE (r?=?0.73, p?<?0.001). This suggests that it is potentially possible to improve mechanical properties through controlling WD. MOR had also a strong linear relationship with E_d (r?=?0.84, p?<?0.001). This indicates that E_d is a good indicator to predicting the strength of wood if the density of measured element is known. Besides, the stress wave method used in this study provides relatively accurate information for determining the stiffness of Melia azedarach planted in northern Vietnam.     

Characterisation of juvenile wood in teak

Juvenile wood properties are studied in a ring-porous tropical hardwood – teak (Tectona grandis L. F), to assess the utilisation potential of short rotation timber. Compared to mature wood, it is characterised by wide rings, short fibres, small diameter, low vessel percentage, high cell wall, wide microfibrillar angle and relatively low or almost similar mechanical properties. While the average modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture in juvenile wood are 85% and 82% respectively of the mature wood value, the longitudinal compression strength is similar. With relatively small fibrillar angle of 15° and the scope for genetic selection of individual trees, teak juvenile wood has potential for desired dimensional stability. The segmented regression models and visual interpretation of radial patterns of variation in anatomical properties reveal that juvenility in plantation grown teak extends up to 15, 20–25 years depending on the property, growth rate and individual tree and plantation site. The fitted regression models, to explain the age-related variations in juvenile wood properties range from simple, linear to exponential, reciprocal and quadratic equations. Fibre length, microfibrillar angle, vessel diameter/percentage and ring width appear to be the best anatomical indicators of age demarcation between juvenile and mature wood, although maturation age often varies among the properties. The projected figures for proportion of juvenile wood in plantation grown teak at breast height are 80–100% and 25% at ages 20 and 60 years respectively. Received 3 November 1998     

An investigation of the influence of selected factors on the properties of spruce wood

Thirty Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) from the forest district of the ETH Zurich were tested for bending MOR, static MOE of bending and dynamic MOE (calculated from eigenfrequency and sound velocity). The specimens were clear and were sampled from the whole of the stem. Their correlations to density, annual ring width, height in the tree, distribution over the stem diameter and the percentage of compression wood were statistically analysed. All three elasticity modules and the maximal stress can be very well predicted from a linear function of the sample density with a common gradient across the compression wood values but with different intercepts that decrease with increasing compression wood content. The other variables have highly significant impacts on the response variables too, however, this is largely irrelevant for the goodness of fit. Further, a clear increase of density, of MOE and of bending MOR was measured from pith to bark and similarly with decreasing annual ring width. Concerning the height of the stem, no distinct trend for the mechanical properties could be found.     

Bearing properties of engineered wood products I: effects of dowel diameter and loading direction

The embedment tests of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) with two moduli of elasticity (MOE; 7.8 GPa and 9.8GPa), parallel strand lumber (PSL), and laminated strand lumber (LSL) were conducted in accordance with ASTM-D 5764. The load-embedment relation for each of these engineered wood products (EWPs) was established. The directional characteristics of bearing strength (_e), initial stiffness (k _e), and effective elastic foundation depth were obtained from the tested results. The effective elastic foundation depth (=E/k _e,E = MOE), based on the theory of a beam on elastic foundation, was obtained from thek _e and MOE. An of 90° (perpendicular to the grain) was calculated by dividingE ₉₀ [MOE of 90° from the compression test, but MOE of 0° (E ₀), parallel to the grain, obtained from the bending test] byk _e90, the initial stiffness of 90°. This study aimed to obtain the bearing characteristics of each EWP, taking into consideration their anisotropic structures, for estimating the fastening strength of a dowel-type fastener. The relations between the bearing coefficients ( _e,k _e,) on the loading direction and dowel diameter were established from the load-embedment curves. Based on the results of the embedment test, tested EWPs showed different tendencies in all directions from wood and glued laminated timber.Part of this study was presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Dynamic modulus of elasticity and bending properties of large beams of Taiwan-grown Japanese cedar from different plantation spacing sites

The effect of plantation spacings (types A-E) on the bending strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of 41-year-old Taiwan-grown cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) was investigated. The results indicate that the highest values for the static bending modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and dynamic modulus of elasticity (E_D, E _Dt) occurred in trees obtained from those most densely planted (type A); there was a significant difference between type A and the other four spacing types (B, C, D, and E), but there were no significant differences among those four types. Interrelations among MOE, MOR, E _D, and E _Dt could be represented by positive linear regression formulas, which revealed highly significant differences. The relations among the square value of stress-wave transmission velocity (V_t ² and V_t ²⁾ and MOE, MOR, E _Dl, and E _Dt, respectively, could be represented by positive linear regression formulas. The differences were highly significant.Part of this report was presented at the International Wood Engineering Conference '96, New Orleans, LA, USA, October 1996     

慈竹竹帘胶合板力学性能研究

采用慈竹为原料制造竹帘胶合板,以三种不同的方式进行组坯,研究组坯方式对慈竹竹帘胶合板纵横方向静曲强度、弹性模量、压缩强度与水平剪切强度的影响。结果表明:组坯方式对胶合板的弹性模量与静曲强度影响较为显著。Ⅲ型板纵向各项力学性能最优,Ⅲ型板横向各项力学性能最弱。Ⅰ型板和Ⅱ型板的静曲强度和弹性模量均达到了汽车车厢用竹篾胶合板的A类标准。三种方式组坯板件的主要力学性能均达到了结构用竹木复合板国家A级标准与混凝土模板用胶合板主要物理力学性能指标。     

Physical and mechanical properties of particleboard from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) stalks and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) wood particles

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of particleboard manufactured from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) stalks and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) wood. The manufacturing parameters were various roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) ratios in the mixture (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and press time (3, 5 and 7 min). Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bonding (IB) strength values and thickness swelling (TS) after 24-hour water soaking of the panels were determined according to the procedure of European Union (EN) Standard. The results of the study demonstrate that roselle stalks can be an alternative raw material source for particleboard industry. With an increase of roselle particles from 0% to 100%, the TS was reduced, and the IB, MOR and MOE were increased. The highest MOE, MOR, IB strength and TS values of the samples were found as 2754.18, 16.81, 0.89 N/mm² and 15.26% for the panels made using 100% roselle with a 7-min press time, respectively.     

Differences in wood properties between juvenile wood and mature wood in 10 species grown in China

 This study examined the intrinsic differences in various wood properties between juvenile wood and mature wood in 10 major reforestation species in China. Comparisons between juvenile wood and mature wood were made in both plantation- and naturally-grown trees. Considerable differences in most wood properties were found both between plantation-grown juvenile wood and mature wood, and between naturally-grown juvenile wood and mature wood. This suggests that wood properties of plantation-grown trees, to a large extent, depends on their juvenile wood contents, and can thus be manipulated effectively through rotation age. In general, the longer the rotation age, the lower the juvenile wood content, and the stronger the mechanical properties of the plantation-grown woods. However, the differences between juvenile wood and mature wood vary with wood properties and species. In general, juvenile wood and mature wood have less difference in chemical composition than in anatomical and physico-mechanical properties. Compared to the softwoods studied, the hardwoods appear to have less difference between juvenile wood and mature wood. Received 25 June 1999     

Changes in the mechanical properties of wood during a period of moisture conditioning

Changes in the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and stress relaxation in the radial direction of wood (hinoki:Chamaecyparis obtusa) moisture-conditioned by the adsorption process from a dry state and by the desorption process from a moisture content slightly below the fiber saturation point were investigated. The MOE and MOR of wood conditioned by the adsorption process showed significant increases during the later stages of conditioning when the moisture content scarcely changed. However, with the desorption process they did not increase as much during later stages of conditioning, though they increased during early stages of conditioning when the moisture content greatly decreased. The stress relaxation of wood decreased with an increase in the conditioning period with both the adsorption and desorption processes. These results suggest that wood in an unstable state, caused by the existing state of moisture differed from that in a true equilibrium state shows lower elasticity and strength and higher fluidity than wood in a true equilibrium state. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that the unstable states of wood induced during the course of drying, desorption, and possibly adsorption of moisture are slowly modified as wood approaches a true equilibrium state.     

Influence of temperature and steam environment on set recovery of compressive deformation of wood

Low-density hybrid poplar wood (Populus deltoides?×?Populus trichocarpa) was densified by mechanical compression under saturated steam, superheated steam, and transient conditions at temperature levels of 150, 160, and 170°C. Furthermore, compression of wood under saturated steam conditions at 170°C, followed by post-heat-treatment at 200°C for 1, 2, and 3?min, was performed. To determine the influence of compression treatment on the set recovery, specimens were subjected to five cycles of water soaking and drying. Modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of specimens compressed under saturated steam conditions at 170°C and post-heat-treated at 200°C were determined in the dry condition and after five soak/dry cycles. Higher temperature of the compression treatment resulted in lower equilibrium moisture content, while the steam conditions during the treatment and the post-heat-treatment did not have significant effect. Furthermore, the highest degree of densification was obtained in specimens compressed under saturated steam conditions at 170°C and post-heat-treated at 200°C. The steam condition and temperature influenced the set recovery of compressive deformation. Reduced hygroscopicity does not necessarily imply reduced set recovery. The results established that considerable fixation of compressive deformation can be obtained by compressing the wood in a saturated steam environment and by post-heat-treatment at 200°C. The short heat-treatment had no influence on MOR or MOE, but soaking/drying treatments caused a decrease in the MOR and MOE.