Fixed–fixed flexural vibration testing method of actual-size bars for timber guardrails

Resonance frequencies of bars with various types of end supports were examined in terms of flexural vibration. Sugi (Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) was used for the specimens. Small rectangular bars with dimensions of 25?mm (R)?×?5?mm (T)?×?300?mm (L), small round bars of 25?mm in diameter and 250?mm in length, actual-size rectangular bars with the dimensions of 45?mm (R)?×?95?mm (T)?×?1500?mm (L) and actual-size round bars of 180?mm in diameter and 2000?mm in length were made. Varying compression stress was applied to the parts around both ends of test specimen, whereupon flexural vibration tests were performed. The measured resonance frequency rose rapidly early in the increasing compression load process and was nearly stable for the larger compression load. The significant increases in the resonance frequency for round bars are thought to be derived from the wide area between the round bar and jig. It is necessary to compare the resonance frequency of a bar tightly fixed to a post with that of the same bar loosely fixed to the post.     

Behavior of center-bored round timber beams in center-point bending test

Due to the lack of large cross-section wood, the concern regarding the utilization of small-diameter logs from forest thinning has increased as a worldwide issue recently. Round shape is advantageous to efficient use of small-diameter logs, there is a difficulty of drying and preservative treatment. It is necessary to apply a new technique. In this study, center-boring technology was applied to improve the efficiency of manufacturing. The effect of a hole was not expected to make a significant effect on the flexural performance because the hole is located at the centroid of beam under bending moment. Unlike a round timber beam, the failure of center-bored round timber beam starts with a crack and is followed by a longitudinal split. When designing center-bored round timber as guardrail beam, additional strength reduction by flattening should be considered.     

Fixed-fixed flexural vibration testing method of beams for timber guardrails

Resonance frequencies of beams with various types of end supports were examined for flexural vibration. Rectangular beams with dimensions of 300 (L) × 25 (R) × 5 or 10mm (T) were used as the test specimens. Various compressing stresses were applied to the parts around both ends of a test beam and flexural vibration tests were conducted. The measured resonance frequency started to increase from the resonance frequency of a beam with simply supported ends and was stable around the resonance frequency of a beam with fixed ends as the compressing stress increased. The stable resonance frequency was lower than the theoretical value because perfect fixation of a beam to a post was difficult. From these results, the temporal change in resonance frequency itself, rather than the stable resonance frequency, is effective to examine whether a beam has enough strength as a guardrail.     

Practical techniques for the vibration method with additional mass: bending vibration generated by tapping cross section

This work examines the effect of a method for generating bending vibration on the accuracy of a nondestructive and simple estimation of weight, density, and Young’s modulus through a vibration test without measuring specimen weight. The resonance frequencies with and without the concentrated mass generated by tapping the RT (radial tangential)-plane under the free-free condition were compared with those generated by the normal free-free bending vibration. The air-dried specimens and wet specimens in a drying process at 20 °C and 65% relative humidity were used and then their weight, density, and Young’s modulus were estimated by the vibration test. The appropriate resonance frequency of the bending vibration could be obtained by tapping the RT-plane. Generating bending vibration by tapping the RT-plane is effective for the application of the vibration method with additional mass to a drying process.     

Acoustic resonance of xylophone bars: experimental and analytic approaches of frequency shift phenomenon during the tuning operation of xylophone bars

The xylophone is a percussion instrument made of vibrating wooden bars, the free ends of which can be struck by a mallet. The cross section of xylophone bars is not uniform for tuning purposes. The aim of this study is to impart a better understanding of the frequency shift phenomenon in acoustic resonance of xylophone bars during their tuning operation. A new analytic approach is, therefore, proposed based on the presence of one or several defects (weak elements) in a bar considered as a one-dimensional system in free–free longitudinal and transversal vibration. A weak element mechanically represents one or several real structural irregularities in the wood; this element corresponds to a mechanical behaviour analogy. This weak element is physically characterized by two positional parameters and by its Young’s modulus. Dynamic tests and numerical computations by the finite elements method give results in good accordance with those of the weak element method. It is shown that when the element weakens, the natural frequencies decrease. Furthermore, the frequency shift depends on the weak element position along the bar. It is also reported that longitudinal and transverse dynamic behaviours are similar regarding the presence of a weak element in a bar.     

Strength properties and effect of moisture content on the bending and compressive strength parallel to the grain of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) round timber

Static bending tests and compressive test parallel to the grain of sugi (Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica) green round timber were conducted to confirm whether its strength would satisfy the referenced strength determined by the Construction Ministry. The strength of green round timber and air-dried round timber were compared for bending and compression parallel to the grain. The strength change ratio in response to a 1 % change in the moisture content of round timber was compared with that of small clear specimens and timber. The results revealed that a 5 % parametric tolerance limit of bending and compressive strength parallel to the grain satisfied the referenced strength, even when using green round timber. The average strength of air-dried round timber was higher than that of green round timber, in both bending and compression parallel to the grain, with significant differences indicated at a 5 % significance level. The relation between the cross-section area that includes round timber, timber and the small clear specimens, and the strength change ratio in response to a 1 % change in moisture content change was fitted to a logarithm curve. Thus, the size of the specimen was considered to affect the strength change ratio.     

云杉属木材纵向和径向声振动特性参数关系的研究

采集7种我国具有代表性的云杉属木材及1种作对比用的美国产西加云杉试件,通过纵、横向木材试件在高次振动模式下的试验,测量木材各项声振动参数.研究发现:纵向材与径向材振动参数比之间存在着一定的相关性,据此可以选择各向异性适中,韧性好,纵向、径向振动受剪切影响小的木材制作乐器的音板.     

Practical techniques for the vibration method with additional mass: effect of crossers’ position in longitudinal vibration

The effect of the crosser’s position used for piled lumber on longitudinal vibration was investigated. As a model case, specimens with and without a concentrated mass were compressed in their thickness direction at nodal and antinodal positions of longitudinal vibration, following which, longitudinal vibration tests were conducted. Density and Young’s modulus were unaffected by compression of the specimen at the nodal position but was affected by compression at the antinodal position. By placing crossers at the nodal positions, accurate density and Young’s modulus values can be determined using the vibration method with additional mass without the influence of weight of the upper lumber.     

Application of modal-based damage-detection method to locate and evaluate damage in timber beams

Modal-based damage-detection algorithms were used to identify the location of defects commonly found in timber and to estimate their severities. In this study, the authors propose modifications to an existing damage-detection algorithm for locating and evaluating damage by comparing the modal strain energy before and after damage using the first two flexural modes of vibration. Experimental verification was performed on pin-pin supported timber beams by employing the algorithms with extracted modal parameters using experimental modal analysis. Single and multiple cases of damage used to simulate pocket(s) of rot with various severities were inflicted by removing sections of timber beam specimens. The proposed damage indicator, computed from the first two flexural modes, was capable of detecting all damage locations. It was also able to estimate, with reasonable accuracy, the severity of damage in term of loss of sectional moment of inertia. The modified damage index method is generally reliable in detecting the location and estimating the severity of simulated defects in timber beams.     

Influence of moisture content on estimating Young’s modulus of full-scale timber using stress wave velocity

The effect of moisture content on the stress wave propagation velocity was investigated in order to estimate the Young’s modulus of full-scale timbers in an air-drying state using the measurement of stress wave propagation velocity above the fiber saturation point. Using Japanese cedar lumber, the velocity and the density under high-moisture condition and air-drying states were measured respectively; after measuring the modulus of elasticity in an air-drying state, the moisture content of each condition was measured. By performing numerical analysis on these data, the relationship between the moisture content and the rate of change of velocity of full-scale timbers was derived. This relationship was used to estimate the Young’s modulus of the timber in the air-drying state from the velocity in high-moisture condition. First, the velocity and the Young’s modulus in an air-drying state were estimated accurately from its density, moisture content and velocity under high-moisture condition. In cases where the density could not be measured, using the database of mechanical properties with the Monte Carlo simulation method, the Young’s modulus of the full-scale timber in an air-drying state might be estimated within 20% accuracy from its moisture content and velocity under high-moisture condition.     

Quality of timber products from Norway spruce

Summary In a previous paper in this series it was concluded that the warp (twist, crook and bow) of structural timber products is of utmost importance for end-user satisfaction. In this paper, a study of the spatial variation of warp of fast-grown Norway spruce is presented. The material, 372 studs (45 × 70 × 2900 mm²), was cut from different radial and longitudinal positions in trees from two stands.The results indicated that twist and crook were at maximum near the pith. However, twist decreased much more rapidly with the distance from pith compared with crook. Crook associated with core studs was larger in the butt log than in the top log, while twist and bow in core studs appeared not to vary longitudinally. Heartwood formation in the butt log juvenile core did not diminish warp propensity. Twist was rather well correlated to the distance between pith and centroid of cross section. The ratio of grain angle to pith distance was the best parameter to predict twist. Presence of compression wood increased bow and crook significantly, while ring width, density and knot area ratio did not substantially contribute to explain warp variation.A moisture content change from 18% to 12% decreased the overall acceptability, expressed by stud grade yield, from 76% to 43%. Thus, timber products should be delivered at a moisture level close to the one expected in the finalized building in order to avoid excessive warp after delivery.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from EEC Forest programme, Contract No MA2B-0024, from NUTEK project No 9100554 and from Södra Timber AB     

新型嵌入式钢筋增强竹梁力学性能试验研究

为了提高竹结构在建筑结构领域的使用性能,提出一种新型嵌入式钢筋增强竹梁,利用嵌入式技术将钢筋嵌入竹梁的受拉区进行竹梁增强,通过4根钢筋增强竹梁及4根对比竹梁的试验研究发现,竹梁增强后其刚度得以改善,但设计荷载仍然是由其截面刚度控制,钢筋的配置分担了受拉区竹材的拉应力,嵌入式钢筋增强竹梁其最大优势在于绿色、低碳、节能、减排,为其大规模推广应用成为可能。     

Practical techniques for the vibration method with additional mass: effect of specimen moisture content

This work examines the effect of moisture content on the accuracy of nondestructively and simply estimating weight, density, and Young’s modulus by a vibration test without measuring specimen weight. The resonance frequencies with and without concentrated mass were measured by longitudinal vibration and bending vibration tests. The wet specimens whose initial moisture contents were 93–134% were dried at 20 °C and 65% relative humidity, and their weight, density, and Young’s modulus were estimated. The accuracy of the estimation was affected by the increase in the resonance frequency, caused by the drying process, during the vibration tests. The resonance frequency without the concentrated mass should, therefore, be measured after obtaining the resonance frequency with the concentrated mass. The accuracy of the estimation in the bending vibration test was higher than that in the longitudinal vibration test. This tendency can be explained by the error in the measurement of resonance frequencies with and without the concentrated mass.     

An experimental approach to determine pull-out strength of single and multiple axially loaded steel rods bonded in glulam parallel to the grain

ABSTRACT

A glued-in rods' connection is generally constituted by a group of steel bars bonded by an adhesive into timber elements. In the past, most of the research focused on single-rod connections, in order to exploit the maximum resistance of the connection without accounting for interaction among bars or splitting failure in the timber member due to close edge distances or spacing between bars. Such interaction problems arise when dealing with multiple rods, thus requiring specific investigation to fully understand the behavior of the connection as a whole and to determine its capacity. In both cases, existing test procedures determine bond strength in specific geometrical configuration. The paper aims to determine the pull-out strength of single and multiple axially loaded steel rods bonded in glulam parallel to the grain differentiating the adhesive failure from the other failure modes. After an initial review of typical applications and existing design procedures, test results on single rod with confined or unconfined test setup on single rod at different embedment depths are presented and discussed, indicating that the confinement has a negligible influence on the pull-out capacity. Subsequently, interaction between bars is investigated by a specific unconfined configuration. The accounted parameters are the embedment depth of the bars, the dimensions of the timber section, and the spacing between bars. Results are discussed and compared with three-dimensional numerical simulations. Both experimental and numerical results suggest that the critical value at which the transition from pull-out to timber-related failure is observed depends on the mechanical properties of the timber and on the properties of the adhesive, such that a single value of spacing should not be provided in design standard if the full capacity of the adhesive is to be exploited.     

Effect of lamellas annual-ring orientation on cracking of glulam beams investigated with computer tomography and image processing

Abstract

Cracks in glulam beams can reduce their strength, depending on the crack's depth, length, and location and can also be a passage for the accumulation of water and dirt. To avoid cracks, the relationship between cracks (area of cracks, mm²) and annual-ring orientation in glulam beams of spruce (Picea abies), and pine (Pinus sylvestris) with different dimensions and surface treatments was investigated using RGB images of the surface and tomography images of the cross-sections. Image processing was used to measure characteristics visible in the photos such as crack area and lamella position in the beam. Combination of lamellas in lay up was measured from computer tomography images. Four types of combinations were defined; type 1 (pith side facing outward), types 2 and 3 (pith to the same side), and type 4 (pith sides meet pith side). It was found that the area close to the glue line in the lamellas in combination type 4 is the most subject to cracking, whereas combinations of type 1 show the highest resistance to cracking. This means that type 4 should not be used in glulam beams, because the lamellas shrink apart from each other causing stresses and resulting cracks.     

Relationships between longitudinal and radial Picea genera sound vibration parameters

Longitudinal sawn wood are usually selected as samples in the study of sound properties of a musical instrument board. But in real production, radial sawn timber are cut and are also widely used as vibration component. Therefore, it is very important to evaluate the vibration properties of the board in the round, especially for the sound radiation characteristic of radial sawn timber and its relationship to longitudinal sawn timber. However, for the national and international experts, researches on radial sawn timber and its role and function in sound emission have not yet been developed. This paper describes a study of seven important spruces that grow up in the Sichuan and Heilongjiang provinces of China, and one Picea sitchensis specimen from North America. Under the high bending vibration mode, resonance frequency and other parameters of longitudinal and radial wood were tested. Analysis result disclosed the relationship between longitudinal and radial wood vibration property. An important conclusion of wood for musical instruments with proper anisotropy, fine toughness, and weak shear of longitudinal and radial vibration was inducted. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(3): 21–24 [译自: 林业科学, 2006, 42(3): 21–24]     

三峡地区高山乡土造林树种选择研究

自上世纪70年代以来,大老岭林场开展了北亚热带三峡地区高山造林树种生态调查[1]。依据调查结果:1981年选择玉兰、银鹊、鹅掌秋、鄂枫杨、漆树、大叶杨、山桐子、桦榛、白辛、檫木、珙桐、香椿、亮叶桦、水曲柳等阔叶乡土树种和油松、华山松、落叶松、柳杉等针叶乡土树种开展栽培试验研究。通过各树种成活率、保存率及生长量26 a(2004)调查表明:26 a(2004)生现实遗传增益银鹊比11个阔叶树种材积提高26.8%,比其它10个阔叶树种材积提高32.0%;日本柳杉比4个针叶树种材积提高36.5%,比其它3个针叶树种材积提高48.8%。银鹊,日本柳杉最适宜三峡山区生长,营造银鹊、日本柳杉工业用材林,可大力提高新造林分生产力,现实遗传增益15%以上,取得较好的经济、社会和生态效益。     

硬杂小径木材干燥技术初探

我国森林资源中小径材的蓄积量占有相当大的比重,其中以硬杂树种数量最多。小径材具有带髓心、弯曲度大、节疤多等自然生长特征及干燥易裂开等问题,给干燥技术和后续加工增添了很大难度。通过对柞木、桦木等树种小径材的实验室及工业试验,认为:硬杂小径材在干燥过程中不宜采用高温介质处理,以采用较缓和的水分蒸发强度和中、低温介质为宜,应保持锯材厚度方向较平稳的温度梯度。     

A statistical algorithm for comparing mode shapes of vibration testing before and after damage in timbers

Instances of local damage in timber such as knots, decay, and cracks can be translated into a reduction of service life due to mechanical and environmental loadings. In wood construction, it is very important to evaluate the weakest location and to detect damage at the earliest possible stage to avoid future catastrophic failure. In this study, modal testing was used on wood beams to generate the first two mode shapes. A novel statistical algorithm was proposed to extract a damage indicator by computing mode shapes of vibration testing before and after damage in timbers. The different damage severities, damage locations, and damage counts were simulated by removing mass from intact beams to verify the algorithm. The results showed that the proposed statistical algorithm is effective and suitable for the designed damage scenarios. It is reliable for the detection and location of local damage of different severities, location, and number. The peak values of the damage indicators computed from the first two mode shapes were sensitive to different damage severities and locations. They were also reliable for the detection of multiple cases of damage.     

Effect of pretreatment with high temperature and low humidity on drying time and prevention of checking during radio-frequency/vacuum drying of Japanese cedar pillar

This study investigated the effect of pretreatment with high temperature and low humidity (HT-LH) on characteristics of radio-frequency/vacuum (RF/V) drying of boxed heart timber of Japanese cedar (150 × 150 mm in cross section, 3600 mm long). From green to approximately 15% moisture content, the drying times including HT-LH treatment were 170 h for the nonkerfed control, 190 h for the kerfed control, and 150 h for both the kerfed and nonkerfed HT-LH specimens. Surface checks were effectively prevented by the HT-LH treatment while the kerfed HT-LH specimens were free from surface checks. In order to prevent the formation of internal checking during RF/V drying, it is suggested that HT-LH treatment should finish around the fiber saturation point.