Application of the SB distribution to the simulation of correlated lumber properties data

Summary With the emergence of probabilistic design procedures, the need for precise knowledge of the entire probability distributions of load effects and material resistance has never been greater. In order to evaluate these distributions, simulation techniques have provided a reliable and cost and time effective alternative to large scale destructive testing. With the use of the Johnson's S_B probability distribution, a closed-form, analytic procedure has been developed to model the inherent variability in strength, given some nondestructively evaluated parameter. This modeling procedure serves as the basis of a verified simulation process to predict a strength distribution, given a probability distribution of the NDE parameter. The approach presented here, represents a closed-form, analytic solution to a problem which has heretofore been treated in a more subjective fashion. This simulation procedure is complemented by a stratified sampling scheme.The author wishes to recognize Engineering Data Management, Inc. for the use of their computer software, STADMAN, and the Mc Intire-Stennis Research Program for the financial support of this study     

Experimental and numerical analysis of semi-destructive device for in situ assessment of wood properties in compression parallel to grain

A reconstruction of historical timber structures requires precise diagnostics of mechanical properties of particular structural members, which would subsequently underlie a reliable plan of the reconstruction. Mechanical properties of wood are determined most exactly using destructive techniques, but often they cannot be used in historical constructions. This calls for using nondestructive or semi-destructive techniques that are still reasonably exact, not too invasive and can be profitably used in situ. This work examines a new nondestructive diagnostic tool that enables to determine strength and stiffness parameters of wood parallel to the grain in situ. The function of the instrument was verified using standard compression tests parallel to the grain that correlated with the instrument well (r = 0.92). Complicated stress state in the drilled hole was examined by contact finite element analysis and revealed high contribution of longitudinal elastic moduli in force measurement (r = 0.96).     

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.     

Application of the wood properties of large-diameter Sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) logs to sorting logs and sawing patterns

The purposes of this study were to accumulate fundamental data on wood properties within large Sugi logs and to take applicable variations in wood properties into consideration for sorting logs and sawing patterns. The characteristics of basic density, moisture content, growth ring width, and microfibril angle (MFA) were measured and the relationship with log and lumber quality was examined. It was considered reasonable to estimate the lumber moisture content based on the moisture content of heartwood rather than that of whole logs, especially when producing large-sized lumber. The MFA reached a constant value before the 15th ring, and within a distance of 10 cm or less from the pith. Since the E _fr of lumber correlated with that of the log affected by MFA, it would be possible to produce lumber with a higher E _fr from the outer position of the log, based on selecting a log above the E _fr . Since the MFA would also affect the lumber warp, a sawing pattern avoiding the area around the pith or enlarging the rough sawn size when a large warp was expected could be effective in improving the lumber quality. To improve the lumber quality, not only one but also multiple wood properties must be applied to the sawing pattern.     

Biodegradable,flame retardant wood-plastic combination via in situ ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers

A wood-plastic combination (WPC) was created via in situ polymerization of the l-lactide monomer (3S)-cis-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione. Commercial poplar boards (Liriodendron tulipifera) were impregnated with the flame retardant chemical resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)(RDP). These samples were then soaked in a solution of the monomer and deionized water with sulfuric acid 5% wt/wood as a catalyst for polymerization. The wood and solution were placed in a vacuum oven for impregnation and polymerization of the monomers. The wood RDP combination was not flame retardant and had an Izod impact strength that was slightly smaller than neat wood sample. Addition of lactide monomer tripled the Izod impact strength relative to wood, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that a polymerized coating had formed which reinforced the porous wood structure. Addition of all three components produced a synergy. The Izod impact strength of the material was nearly 14 times greater and the WPC was flame retardant surpassing the stringent UL-94-V0 requirement.     

Effects of site on fibre, kraft pulp and handsheet properties of Eucalyptus globulus

? Eight-year old trees from two Eucalyptus globulus Labill. clones planted across three different sites in Tasmania, Australia, were sampled for wood and kraft pulp/handsheet properties.

? Site had a significant effect on all measured properties. Compared with the poor site (Parkham) the wood from the good site (West Ridgley) had on average 11 % lower wood density. The poor site had also greater microfibril angles, shorter fibres at lower pulp yields.

? The handsheets produced with pulp from the poor site resulted in comparatively higher bulkiness, lower burst, lower tear and tensile indices, lower zero span tensile strength, but higher opacity, higher light scattering and higher surface roughness. Significant height effects were found with all wood properties, and also with tear index, zero span tensile strength and opacity.

? Discriminant analysis showed that for 76 out of 100 handsheets the raw material source, i.e. growth site, could be predicted correctly using a set of handsheet properties with tear index and bulk index being most prominent.

? This is unique evidence that site conditions are strongly reflected in handsheet properties produced from Eucalyptus pulp.

     

Physical properties of wood in thinned Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) from plantations in northern Spain

? The physical properties of wood and the associated variations within and between trees were evaluated by analysing 770 small specimens of clear wood from 11 Pinus sylvestris L. trees thinned from 3 plantations.

? Within-tree variations in basic density or volumetric shrinkage increased with cambial age and decreased with increasing ring width. The effect of the height in the stem on wood properties was considered indirect and height was not included as an explanatory variable in the mixed models proposed to estimate basic density and volumetric shrinkage.

? The models had random components for the intercept parameter and explained 52.5% of the total variance in basic density and 56% of the total variance in volumetric shrinkage. Linear shrinkage in the direction of the grain was extremely variable.

? Between-tree variation and between-plot variation in the physical properties of wood were high, considering that all trees sampled were growing in similar sites and stands. It would then be desirable to predict physical properties of wood on living trees in order to use the quality of wood as a criterion for timber tree selection in thinnings.

     

Can the impulse propagation speed from cross-section tomography explain the conditioned density of wood?

Tomography is a wave-based technique used to depicture tree cross-sections; specifically, impulse tomography uses data given by the passage of impulse waves, which were primarily influenced by density, modulus of elasticity, and moisture content of wood. The influence of wood characteristics on various kinds of waves has been extensively studied, allowing the establishment of statistical correlations between wave behavior and wood properties. In this context, the relationship between impulse speed from cross-section tomography and conditioned density that was obtained on diametrical sample by X-ray densitometry was analyzed using logs of three tree species with different densities that were air dried to 12 % moisture content. For each species, means from 5 mm length intervals of conditioned density profile graph (ρ _12%) and impulse speed distribution graph (S _12%) on the same diametrical sample are used to fit models. Joining data from all species, the exponential model \( \ln \rho_{12\% } = - 4.32822 + 1.67894 *\ln S_{12\% } \) was obtained with correlation coefficient of 0.85 and highly significant parameters. The results indicate that conditioned density could be explained by impulse speed on the cross-section, but research is necessary to make a useful tool out of it.     

Modeling wood pole failure

Summary In part 1 of this series, a three-dimensional, structural analysis, finite element program has been developed to predict the stress distribution in wood poles with and without spiral grain and variable material properties. This program serves as a basis for a model to predict the strength and failure location in full-size wood poles. Fundamental to this model is the ability to quantify the effects of key material and geometric properties of the pole. This paper deals with the enhancement of the program to quantify the effect of knots and their associated cross grain on the stress distribution of wood poles. The technique is based on the theoretical behavior of laminar fluid flow around an elliptical obstruction. The flow-grain analogy was employed to develop empirical relationships between knot diameter and pertinent variables (grain deviation angle near the knot and area of influence of the knot). Prior to the development of the empirical relationships, a study was conducted to determine the size and distribution of knots in Douglas-fir and western redcedar poles.The validity of the technique to describe knot behavior is reflected in the ability of the finite element model to predict the strength and failure location of wood poles. The results suggested that the flow-grain analogy is a rational mechanism to quantify the fiber orientation near a knot. Furthermore, this technique could have meaningful implication in improving visual grading methods for wood poles.The authors would like to recognize the contributions of Engineering Data Management, Inc. of Ft. Collins, Colorado for their contribution of test materials and facilities for this study.     

Wood specific gravity-mechanical property relationship at species level

Summary Based on the data set of specimen tests on 16 timber species belonging to four distinct wood categories, the specific gravity-mechanical property relationship at species level was examined, and differences in the relationship between species from distinct wood categories were discussed. The linear equation (S =a +bG) was compared with the curvilinear one (S = G) in terms of the goodness at predicting mechanical properties through specific gravity at species level. The specific gravity-mechanical property relationship, to a differing extent, varies with mechanical properties and wood categories. Among three mechanical properties studied, MOR is most closely and almost linearly related to specific gravity, followed by Cmax, whereas MOE is poorly and least linearly related to specific gravity. In general, the relationship between MOE and specific gravity in a species from the ring-porous category is stronger than in a species from the diffuse-porous category. It appears that Cmax in a species from the second softwood category and the ring-porous category is more closely related to specific gravity than in a species from the first softwood category and the diffuse-porous category, respectively. In addition, MOE in a softwood species is generally less related to specific gravity as compared to a hardwood species. Yet, Cmax in a softwood species appears more closely related to specific gravity. Overall, the curvilinear equation is better than the linear one at predicting mechanical properties (especially MOE) in a species.     

Phenomenological kinetics of wood delignification: application of a time-dependent rate constant and a generalized severity parameter to pulping and correlation of pulp properties

Summary Kraft delignification kinetics has been modelled on the basis of a first order decay process with a time-dependent rate constant. A generalized severity parameter derived from this kinetic model, R_oh, has been applied to describe the lignin solubilization during alkaline (soda and Kraft) and bisulphite pulping of different wood species. The model has been succesfuly applied to data sets available from the literature. Our approach has combined the main process variables (temperature, time and chemical load) into a single parameter, R_oh, which is then used as a reaction ordinate to map the changes in chemical composition and physical properties. An extension of the initial formulation of the R_oh parameter has been made to cover the situations where the catalytic system is composed by two active chemical species, as in the Kraft process.Symbols C Lignin concentration - C₀ Lignin concentration at t = 0. - _a Average activation energy (kJ/mol) - f_i Conversion of the reacting substrate (lignin) - F[ ] A function of the conversion - g(E) Distribution of activation energies function - k(t) Time-dependent rate constant - K Severity model constant - R_oh The generalized severity parameter, or reaction ordinate - S _i ⁰ Initial concentration of the reactive substrate (lignin) - t Reaction time (min) - T(t) Reaction temperature (°C),which may vary as a function of time in non isothermal conditions - T_ref Reference temperature (°C), normally choosen in the middle of the experimental conditions used - X(t) Chemical load (g chemical/g o.d. wood), for the first active specie - X_ref Reference chemical load (g chemical/g o.d. wood). - Y(t) Chemical load (g chemical/g o.d. wood), for the second active specie - Y_ref Reference chemical load (g chemical/g o.d. wood) Greek Letters Constant in k(t) (min^-) - Parameter defining the shape of the Kohlrausch function which describes the distribution of activation energies - () Euler's gamma function - Parameter expressing the strength of the first active chemical in the specific reaction considered - Parameter expressing the strength of the second active chemical in the specific reaction considered - ₀ Effective lifetime (min). - /- Average lifetime (min). - Parameter expressing the importance of temperature in the specific reaction considered. For instance a value of 14.75 will indicate that the rate of reaction has doubled ten degrees above the reference temperature, all the other variables remaining constant. Authors are indebted to CICYT (Science and Technology Inter Ministerial Commission, Spanish Government) and Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Regional Government) for financial support, project number QFN92-4317 and grant number AIRE 92/I-22. Contributions of the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Fonds des Chercheurs et Actions de Recherche (FCAR) are gratefully acknowledged.     

Effective sampling method for estimating bending strength distribution of Japanese larch square-sawn timber

Information on the strength distribution of timbers and other wood products seems to have become more important for users and producers after revision of the Japan architectural standard in 1998, which emphasizes the performance requirements of structures. Because there is no way other than expensive destructive tests to collect strength data, many researchers have proposed many inspecting methods for predicting strength by nondestructive evaluation. The most popular method for structural timber is the mechanical grading method based on the relation between Young's modulus (E) and strength () with some linear regression models. On the other hand, it is well known that the proof loading test is superior for obtaining information on the lower tail of distribution. If the E distribution of the objective timbers is known approximately, selecting timbers nearest to the projected E values saves timbers for destructive tests. We examined the alternative sampling method using the reported e- data sets of Japanese larch square-sawn timber. The simulated results showed that the estimated lower tail of the bending strength distribution by the alternative method was a better approximation of the experimental distribution than that derived from the conventional linear regression model.Part of this paper was presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kochi, April 1997     

Recent progress in the chemistry and topochemistry of compression wood

Summary A review of the chemistry and topochemistry of compression wood with 200 references. Compression wood contains on the average 30% cellulose, 35–40% lignin, 10% galactan, 9% galactoglucomannan, 8% xylan, and 2% of a 1,3-glucan (laricinan). The cellulose is less crystalline, and the xylan has fewer arabinose side chains than in normal wood. The lignin is composed of guaiacylpropane and p-hydroxyphenylpropane units. It is more condensed, has a higher proportion of carbon-carbon bonds, and contains fewer arylglycerol--aryl ether structures than a normal conifer lignin. The ray cells and the primary wall of the tracheids have the same chemical composition in normal and compression woods. The galactan is largely located in the outer region of the secondary wall. Only 5–10% of the lignin in compression wood tracheids is extracellular. The middle lamella is less lignified than in normal wood, while the S₁ and inner S₂ layers have a lignin concentration of 30–40% which is twice as high as in normal wood. The lignin content of the S₂ (L) layer is equal to or higher than that of the intercellular region along the wall. The review is concluded with a brief reference to areas where present information is incomplete or lacking.A portion of an Academy Lecture of the International Academy of Wood Science, presented at the International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry (Ekmandagarna 1981), held in Stockholm, Sweden, June 9–12, 1981. Reprints of the unabridged review, published under the title Recent Progress in the Chemistry, Ultrastructure, and Formation of Compression Wood in the preprints of the symposium (SPCI Report 38, Vol. 1, p. 99–147) are available from the author. I wish to express my gratitude to my colleague Professor Robert A. Zabel for generous travel assistance     

Within- and between-stand variation in selected properties of Sitka spruce sawn timber in the UK: implications for segregation and grade recovery

Context

Information on wood properties variation is needed by forest growers and timber processors to best utilise the available forest resource and to guide future management.

Aim

This study aims to quantify the variation in selected properties of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) structural timber.

Methods

Twelve harvest-age stands were selected, ten trees per site were felled and processed into 301 logs. Dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE_dyn) was measured on each tree and log using portable acoustic instruments. Logs were processed into structural timber and its MOE and bending strength was determined.

Results

Overall, the timber satisfied the MOE, bending strength and density requirements for the C16 strength class. Approximately 25 % of the total variation in timber mechanical properties was attributed to between-stand differences, with the remaining 75 % attributed to within-stand differences. A series of equations were developed to predict site, tree and log-level variation in timber properties.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the site and stand factors that are associated with differences in timber properties can assist with segregation of the current resource. Portable acoustic tools can also be used to increase the stiffness of sawn timber by segregating out individual trees and logs that will yield low stiffness timber.     

Studies on opposite wood in conifers part II: Histology and ultrastructure

Summary A study has been made of the histology and ultrastructure of opposite wood in Larix laricina, Picea rubens, and Pinus resinosa. The width of the growth rings varied considerably, in one case from 0.1–1.0 mm, with the wide rings containing a much higher proportion of latewood than the narrow ones. The earlywood tracheids were square in outline and more regularly arranged than in normal wood. In the latewood they were sometimes irregular and distorted. The S₃ layer in the tracheids was 0.2 m thick in the earlywood and 0.4–0.8 m in the latewood, as compared to a thickness in normal wood of 0.1–0.2 m in both zones. The S₃ was often buckled in the latewood and was terminated towards the lumen by a spiral thickening. The cell wall structure of the tracheid pit border was described. Normal coniferous wood might be regarded as an intermediate between opposite wood and compression wood.This paper is dedicated to Dean Edwin C. Jahn in honor of his 70th birthday.     

Relationship between crack propagation and the stress intensity factor in cutting parallel to the grain of hinoki (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>)

The method of digital image correlation (DIC) was applied to the digital image of orthogonal cutting parallel to the grain of hinoki, and the strain distribution near the cutting edge was evaluated. The wood fracture associated with chip generation was considered as mode I fracture, and the stress intensity factor K_I for fracture mode I was calculated from the strain distribution according to the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics for the anisotropic material. The calculated K_I increased prior to crack propagation and decreased just after the crack propagation. The change in K_I before and after crack propagation, ΔK_I, decreased in accordance with the crack propagation length, although the variance in ΔK_I should depend on the relationships between the resolution of DIC method and the dimensions of cellular structure. The calculated K_I in this study was almost on the same order as reported in the literatures. It was also revealed, for the case of chip generation Type 0 or I, the stress intensity factor for fracture mode II could be negligible due to the higher longitudinal elastic properties of wood in the tool feed direction than the one radial ones, and the mode I fracture was dominant.     

Microfibril angle of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] compression wood: comparison of measuring techniques

The structure of cellulose, especially the microfibril angles (MFAs), in compression wood of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] was studied by wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering and polarizing microscopy. On the basis of the X-ray scattering experiments the average MF As of the cell wall layers S₂ and S₁ of the studied sample are 39 and 89, respectively; and the average diameter and length of the cellulose crystallites are 2.9 and 20.0nm, respectively. The average of the whole MFA distribution is shown to agree with the one obtained by polarizing microscopy of macerated fibers.     

Modeling wood pole failure

Summary This is the first of two papers designed to describe the most recent efforts in using contemporary technology to predict strength and failure location in wood poles. In this report, a three-dimensional finite element model is presented which was developed to provide a rational stress analysis tool for wood poles. Due to practical considerations, only critical pole segments were subjected to stress analyses. Twelve-inch (30.5 cm) segments were selected for analysis which contained knots or knot clusters deemed consequential.The linear elastic model assumes small-deflection theory, and exploits linear strain, 15-node wedge and 20-node parallelepiped, isoparametric finite elements. Element geometry was selected to reflect knot size distribution found in full-size wood poles used in North America. Boundary conditions represented both applied loading and support considerations.Model verification studies were conducted on poles with isotropic (steel) and anisotropic (wood) material properties with and without spiral grain and variable longitudinal elastic properties along the pole radius. The results showed excellent agreement between theoretical and numerically-predicted pole stresses. The effect of boundary conditions on predicted stress distribution was defined, and the element geometry was appropriately modified. The developed model proved to be a rational basis for a more enhanced version to predict the mechanical behavior of wood poles with several inherent growth characteristics.     

Using a chain of models to simulate the distribution between quality clusters of a set of boards coming from a sessile oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus petraea</Emphasis> Liebl.) resource. Validation of the simulations

Taking sessile oak as an example, this paper initially presents a method to predict the final production (quantity and quality) coming from a forest resource when two sets of data are available. The data sets are from two models: measured or simulated ring width profiles from pith to bark of the constituent trees as well as a mixed model for the basic wood properties which are used to grade the boards into quality clusters. The second part of the paper contains a validation for the proposed method. Simulations are used to predict two basic wood properties (volumetric swelling coefficient and wood density) in the trees of a forest resource in relation to the ring width profile of each tree. The simulations are used to compute a map of these two basic properties in each plank derived from the trees. A quality index derived from this map of basic wood properties in the boards is then used to allocate the planks to quality clusters. The basic wood properties considered in this paper are modelled with linear mixed models. Since computation of the plank properties or definition of the grading rule can use several properties simultaneously, the models used to simulate the basic properties are joint models. Modelling jointly several properties with a mixed model consists of defining a covariance structure between the random effects of the model. Such a model can be substantial in terms of parameters and computational resources required, thus we compared three kinds of joint models. The simplest one is not quite a joint model but is simply obtained from the juxtaposition of independent models, one for each of the two properties taken into consideration. We also defined a model with a moderate covariance structure between the two properties, and lastly, we used a third model with a full covariance structure. Simulations of volumetric swelling coefficient, wood density and the resulting board grading were carried out with each of these three models. All give results roughly in accordance with the observations, but the two truly joint models give better results than the simplest model.     

Wood-polymer combinations: The chemical modification of wood by alkoxysilane coupling agents

Summary Vinyl polymers in wood-polymer combinations fill cell cavities but do not bond to nor enter cell walls to any noticeable extent. The wood dimensional stability thus remains virtually unchanged. Nonleachable-bulking treatments which react with the cell wall material tend to diminish wood strength properties and do not appear to show promise for providing a link between the cell wall and the polymer. Alkoxysilane coupling agents are widely used to modify the interface between dissimilar materials, such as glass fibers and thermoplastic or thermosetting resins. The coupling agent -methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane was used in this study with trembling aspen, white birch and eastern white pine woods. Antishrink efficiencies comparable to those reported for reactive chemical wood modifiers were obtained. This treatment did not require acidic or basic reaction conditions which could cause wood strength reductions. Its effects upon wood strength and the extent of bonding to the cell wall are presently under investigation.The authors are grateful for financial support by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada