Differences of tensile strength distribution between mechanically high-grade and low-grade Japanese larch lumber 11: Effect of knots on tensile strength distribution

The tensile strength (TS) test results of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi, Carriere) lumber of varying length have shown that the length effects on TS were different between high-grade (H) and low-grade (L) lumber. In this paper, we examined the effect of knots on the TS distribution by measuring the number of knots and the knot area ratio of each specimen. There were more knots in L than in H; and the knot area ratio in L distinctly increased as the length increased compared to that in H. The correlation coefficients between physical properties and TS indicated that knots were the most influencial factor for TS among several physical properties: annual ring width, distance from pith, density, dynamic Young's modulus, and knots. We attempted to estimate the length effect parameters by introducing the concept of assumed knot strength. We thought that the length effect parameters for 50th percentiles of TS could be estimated well with fitted 3P-Weibull, and that the parameters for 5th-percentiles could be estimated well with 2P-Weibull fitted to lower-tail 10% data by the likelihood method. The differences of length effect on TS between H and L should be governed by the presence of knots. The independent model based on the concept of assumed knot strength may express the TS of structural lumber of various lengths.     

Differences of tensile strength distributions between mechanically high-grade and low-grade Japanese larch lumber III: effect of knot restriction on the strength of lumber

It is well known that the presence of knots in structural lumber is one of the most important strengthreducing factors. For practical purposes, visual grading including knot restriction is an effective method for nondestructive evaluation of strength. Edge knot restriction for not only visually graded lumbers but also mechanically graded lumbers is specified in the Japanese agricultural standards for glued laminated lumber. We conducted experimental studies on differences of tensile strength distributions between mechanically high-grade and low-grade Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi, carriere) lumbers daily used for manufacturing glued laminated timbers in Nagano, Japan. We then examined the additional visual grading of mechanically graded lumbers for nondestructive evaluation. We visually graded the prepared mechanically graded lumber by focusing on the knots' area ratio of grouped knots. We confirmed that the higher visual grade related to the stronger tensile strength, similar to our present knowledge; but the effects of knot restriction were reduced when the length of the lumber increased in view of nonparametric 5th percentiles of tensile strength. The differences in the strength/elasticity ratio between mechanically high-grade and low-grade lumber were negligible. It was clear that the length effect on the ratio in visually graded high-grade lumber was smaller than that of visually graded low-grade lumber. It was thus concluded that knot restriction should have little effect on the tensile strength of mechanically graded lumber.     

Methods to estimate the length effect on tensile strength parallel to the grain in Japanese larch

To find a desirable method for estimating the length effect on tensile strength ( _t), we used three methods to analyze the _t data from a Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) small, clear specimen. These methods included a nonparametric method, the projection method of Hayashi, and a proposed method. The estimated length effect parameters (g) by the nonparametric method were 0.0237 and 0.0626 for 50th and 5th percentile _t distributions, respectively. The projection method requires a standardE _f level (E ^*: dynamic Young's modulus), arbitrarily chosen for calculating theg value. Theg values from the projection method were 0.1122 for lowE ^*, 0.0898 for averageE ^*, and 0.0759 for highE ^*. The estimatedg values by the proposed method using selected _t data were 0.1020 and 0.1838 for the 50th and 5th percentiles, respectively. Among the three methods, the nonparametric method did not consider the different distribution of Young's modulus among specimens, and the estimated length effect parameters (g) by this method were small. The projection method reduced the influence of Young's modulus, but the length effect parameters varied with theE ^* level. The proposed method minimized the dependence onE _f distributions among specimens. we believe the latter method is desirable for estimating the length effect on tensile strength.     

Variation of tensile strength with annual rings for lumber from the Japanese larch

To examine the effectiveness of long rotation forestry and the potential of complete utilization of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Carriere), we designed a tensile test using the lumber from six 87-year-old sample trees. Results showed that strength properties of lumber varied greatly in the radial direction within trees, but all sample trees showed a similar trend. There was little difference in dynamic Young's modulus but a large difference in tensile strength (TS) between the lumber and small clear specimens from undestroyed parts of the lumber. These differences decreased with an increase in ring number and became constant after 30 years. The presence and distribution of knots markedly affected the TS; and among the knot indices, the knot number (Kn) and knot area ratio of a maximum single knot (Km) proved to be effective for explaining the effect of knots. The distribution of Kn and Km in the radial direction agreed with the variation of TS in the radial direction. By investigating the variation patterns of lumber and small clear specimens in the radial direction, it was found that the strength properties of both required a long time, about 30 years, to reach a relatively constant state.Part of this report was presented at the 49th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Effect of size on the bending strength of laminated veneer lumber

Summary The effect of size on bending strength has been experimentally determined for laminated veneer lumber. Width was found to have no effect on bending strength. The effect of depth times length on bending strength obtained by the slope method was about 0.075, which is in good agreement with the results obtained by the shape parameter method. The effect of length is somewhat more severe than the effect of depth. Size was found to have no effect on modulus of elasticity or modulus of rigidity.In addition, the relationships between bending strength, modulus of elasticity and density of laminated veneer lumber were experimentally modelled.The author is pleased to acknowledge Research and Development Manager Matti Kairi, who represents the Kerto laminated veneer lumber manufacturer of Finnforest Oy, for fruitful co-operation over several years. The patience of senior research scientist Markku Kortesmaa, who calculated and several times explained the details of Appendix A for the author, is also acknowledged     

Variation of tensile strength along the length of lumber

Summary A model has been developed for the within member variation of tensile strengths parallel to grain in nominal 38 × 89 mm No. 2 Spruce-Pine-Fir lumber. Tensile strength data from two modulus of elasticity matched groups were considered. Model parameters obtained from data group 1 were used to generate tensile strength profiles of lumber 6.10 m long. Within member tensile strength cumulative probability distributions of the simulated data were evaluated by window analyses. The spatial correlation of the simulated data were evaluated by semivariogram and regression analyses. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and test results of both groups.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canadian Forest Service and the technical assistance of Mr. H. Sue, Mr. B. Deacon and Dr. J. Cook for this study. The research was performed while the principal author was working at Forintek Canada Corp.     

Variation of tensile strength along the length of lumber

Summary The within member variation of tensile strength parallel to grain in nominal 38×89 mm No. 2 Spruce-Pine-Fir lumber has been experimentally evaluated. Window analyses yielded the within member tensile strength cumulative probability distributions of lumber segments with various lengths. Semivariogram and regression analyses have been performed to characterize the spatial correlation of the tensile strength of lumber. The results indicate that the tensile strength values within a piece of lumber separated by a distance greater than 1.83 m can be considered statistically independent.The Authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Forestry Canada and the technical assistance of Mr. H. Sue, Mr. B. Deacon and Dr. J. Cook for this study. The research was performed while the principal author was working at Forintek Canada Corp.     

Effects of atropellis canker and stalactiform blister rust on the bending strength and stiffness of lodgepole pine lumber

Summary This study investigated the effect of Atropellis canker,Atropellis piniphila (Weir) Lohman and Cash, and stalactiform blister rust,Cronartium coleosporioides Arth., on the bending strength and stiffness of lumber from lodgepole pine,Pinus contorta Dougl. var.latifolia Engelm. The modulus of rupture, was unaffected by either disease. However, the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of lumber from infected trees, as determined by the Cook Bolinders and static bending tests, was significantly reduced from those of healthy trees. This impact should affect the use of lumber from infected trees when serviceability criteria govern the design of a structure. Should MOE-based, machine stress-rating of lumber become standard in the future, there may be an adverse, stress-related impact of these diseases on lumber value.We thank Mr. D. Hutcheson, B.C. Forest Service, Kamloops Region for advice and assistance, Messers, T. Jeanes, B. Geiselmann and D. Crabtree, Balco Forest Products Ltd., for advice, assistance, and particularly for harvesting and manufacture of the test material; Mr. L. Olsen, Forintek Canada Ltd. for assistance, and Dr. A. Harestad, Simon Fraser University for critical review. The research was supported in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada, Operating Grant No. A3881     

Estimation of the internal shear strength distribution of the element for laminated veneer lumber by nonlinear least-squares method

Until now we developed an estimation method for strength distributions of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) element by nonlinear least-squares method (NLM). Estimated strengths by this method were modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) in the horizontal use direction and the vertical use direction, tensile strength and compression strength. But to use LVL for structural members, shear strength was also needed. Therefore, we tried to estimate the shear strength distribution of LVL element by NLM same as MOE and MOR in the horizontal use direction and the vertical use direction, the tensile strength of LVL and the compression strength of LVL in the previous reports. We conducted shear strength test for LVL and estimated element shear strength distribution by LVL strength data in the horizontal and vertical use direction. Next, we simulated LVL shear strength distribution using element shear strength distribution and compared with experimental ones in each use direction. They were overlapped in both use direction. Therefore, we could validate NLM for estimating element shear strength distribution.     

Characterization of the correlation structure of lumber strength properties

Spatially averaged data from the literature for along-the-length correlation of lumber flatwise bending modulus of elasticity and tensile strength was analyzed to determine the correlation of the base process for each property. The cross correlation between the two properties was also examined. The exponential correlation function, equivalent to a first-order auto-regressive process, was the best model for both correlation and cross correlation, based on the sum of squared errors between the correlations from the test data and the fitted model. The fitted functions can be used to generate correlation and cross correlation information for spatially averaged processes averaged over lengths different from the lengths used to obtain the test data.     

Tensile strength of thermally modified laminated strand lumber and laminated veneer lumber

Laminated strand lumber (LSL) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) were thermally modified as a post-treatment at 140°C, 150°C, 160°C, 170°C, and 180°C. The tension modulus of elasticity (MOE) of LSL was not significantly impacted by the treatments, with the 180°C treatment group exhibiting the highest tension MOE (11.8?GPa). The LVL also experienced minimal impacts, with the 150°C treatment group having the highest tension MOE (19.4?GPa) and the 160°C treatment group exhibiting the lowest (17.1?GPa). The maximum tensile strength (MTS) of the LSL and LVL significantly decreased with increasing temperatures, with the control and 180°C treatment groups experiencing the highest and lowest MTS, respectively. The lowest MTS for LSL was 10.8?MPa (180°C treatment), which was 70% lower than the controls. The lowest MTS of the LVL was 24.4?MPa (also at the 180°C treatment), which was a 49% decrease compared to the controls. These results suggest that thermal-modification post-treatments minimally impact tension MOE, but can significantly reduce MTS at higher treatment temperatures. Combined with previous work improving the moisture properties and equilibrium moisture content of thermally modified LSL and LVL, it may be possible to optimize the treatment technique(s) to yield products with desirable properties.     

Impact of precommercial thinning on tree growth,lumber recovery and lumber quality in Abies balsamea

Abstract

Precommercial thinning (PCT) is often used to improve stand growth and value. While PCT may accelerate tree growth and reduce mortality, it may also have a negative effect on product quality. This study examined the effect of moderate and heavy thinning on tree growth, lumber recovery and quality in a natural balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] PCT trial 35 years after thinning. Compared with the control, the heavy thinning increased merchantable tree diameter, stem volume per tree and lumber volume recovery per tree by 41.1%, 100.9% and 92.7%, respectively, reduced the Select Structural grade (the best grade) recovery by 33.7%. Thinning did not affect the no. 2 and better grade yield. There was a 12.2% and 15.0% difference, respectively, in the lumber bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) between the control and heavy thinning. Moderate thinning had little impact on the visual grade recovery, lumber bending MOE and MOR. Heavy thinning is recommended if the goal is to get sizeable sawlogs in the shortest time, whereas moderate thinning is preferable if the intention is to minimize the negative effects on lumber quality while retaining modest tree growth and lumber recovery. Overall, PCT of very dense young balsam fir stands appears to be an effective and viable silvicultural treatment.     

Feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy for online multiple trait assessment of sawn lumber

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis was applied to estimate multiple traits of sawn lumber. The effects of the lumber conveying speed (LCS) and measurement resolution of spectra (MRS) on the calibrations were examined. NIR spectra ranging from 1300 to 2300 nm were acquired at LCSs of 10, 20, and 30 m/min and at MRSs of 2, 4, and 16 nm. Prediction models of bending strength (F _b), modulus of elasticity in bending tests (E _b), dynamic modulus of elasticity (E _fr), and wood density (DEN) were developed using partial least-squares (PLS) analysis. LCS and MRS did not significantly influence the calibration performance for any wood property. The regression coefficients also showed no clear differences for any of the conditions. This indicates that the important explanatory variables included in the models are not greatly influenced by these measurement conditions. PLS2 analysis results, when presented graphically, allowed easy interpretation of the relationships between wood mechanical properties and chemical components, e.g., bending strength and stiffness were mainly related to polysaccharides cellulose and hemicellulose. NIR spectroscopy has considerable potential for online grading of sawn lumber, despite the harsh measurement conditions.     

Relationship between apparent modulus of elasticity,gage length,and tensile strength of lumber

The percent explained variation (r²) of tensile strength (T) of dimension lumber can be accounted for primarily by apparent modulus of elasticity (E_a).Tensile strength ratio, a good index of T of structural lumber, and E_a are both dependent on relative knot size, making T a function of E_a. This theoretical relationship helps to increase r² when T is regressed on E_a and gives the cause and effect for some multiple regression analyses. An independent variable was identified on the basis of this theory.Shortening the gage length enhances ability to predict T when flatwise bending E_a or tension E_a is used as an independent variable, but not when edgewise bending E_a is used.Two single variables not previously reported, E_a measured in flatwise bending on 16-inch gage length (EF 16) and E_a measured in tension on 6-inch gage length (ET 6) (based solely on deformation measurements), are individually able to explain approximately as much variation of T (r²=0.75) as the combination of E_a measured flatwise on 48-inch gage length (span length for the existing American grading machines), and ASTM bending strength ratio. The combination of EF 16 and ET6 can explain 85% of the variation of T. The highest r² (0.87) was obtained when a modified bending strength ratio was added to these new variables.This research was done in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., May 1971.     

The potential of young,green finger-jointed Eucalyptus grandis lumber for roof truss manufacturing

South Africa is a timber-scarce country that will most probably experience a shortage of structural softwood lumber in the near future. In this study the concept of using young, green finger-jointed Eucalyptus grandis lumber was evaluated for possible application in roof truss structures while the timber is still in the green, unseasoned state. Drying will occur naturally while the lumber is fixed within the roof truss structure. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the strength and stiffness variation of the finger-jointed E. grandis product in both the green and dry state for different age and dimension lumber, (2) to investigate the variation in density, warp and checking in the lumber when dried in a simulated roof-space environment and (3) to evaluate the potential of this finger-jointed product as a component in roof truss structures. Green finger-jointed E. grandis lumber of ages 5, 11 and 18 years and dimensions 48×73?mm and 36×111?mm from Limpopo province were evaluated. The study showed that the young finger-jointed E. grandis timber had very good flexural, tensile parallel to grain, and shear properties in both the green and dry state. The mean and characteristic modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture values of the finger-jointed E. grandis product were higher and the variation lower in comparison to currently used South African pine sources. The tensile perpendicular to grain and compression perpendicular to grain strength did not conform to SANS requirements for the lowest structural grade (S5). Both tree age and product dimension were sources for variation in the physical and strength properties. Based on the results from this study the concept of producing roof trusses from green, finger-jointed young E. grandis timber has potential.     

Probabilistic evaluation of the final moisture content of kiln-dried lumber using the bootstrap method

This paper presents a probabilistic method of evaluating the final moisture content (MC) of lumber obtained at the end of the kiln-drying process. The final MC data of three different drying tests conducted in past studies were analyzed using the bootstrap method. Target MC was tentatively set below 20 % in the analysis. Two characteristic parameters representing the final MC were estimated with bootstrap confidence intervals. These parameters were the standard deviation (SD) and the percentage of the population that met the MC requirement of less than 20 % (P ₂₀). The histograms of the final MC and the subsequent goodness-of-fit tests revealed that the final MC data of two drying tests did not follow any classical probability distributions, including Normal, Log-Normal, Weibull, and Gamma distributions, thus indicating the need for nonparametric statistics. The uncertainty of the final MC could be evaluated with the estimated SD and P ₂₀. After deriving the relationships between P ₂₀ and the corresponding probability that P ₂₀ is not achieved, we demonstrated how such relationships could provide a kiln operator with information to facilitate better decision-making in optimizing a drying schedule.     

Goodness-of-fit analysis for lumber data

Summary Four different probability distributions were studied to evaluate their relative goodness-of-fit in describing the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of populations of dimension lumber. The distributions under consideration were the normal, lognormal, Weibull and Johnson's S_B. The populations of lumber consisted of 96 data sets of various species groups, mechanical properties, sizes, structural grades and growth regions. The goodness-of-fit criteria selected in this study were the log likelihood, Kimball and Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) tests. The K-S statistic was also calculated at the value of the random variable associated with the lower five percent exclusion limit of the empirical cumulative distribution. This value indicated the degree of goodness-of-fit at the lower tail of the distribution. The results indicated that the S_B distribution generally provided the best fit to the data. The maximum likelihood test overwhelmingly recommended the S_B distribution. The Kimball and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests gave milder endorsements of the S_B distribution. No distribution proved to be superior to the others in modeling the lower five percent exclusion limit of the populations.The author would like to thank the Engineering Data Management (EDM) Inc. of Fort Collins, Colorado, for the use of their parameter evaluation software, STAtistical Data MANager     

Effect of speed on the accuracy of stress-grading machines for lumber

Summary A computer simulation model is developed for predicting modulus of elasticity (E) of uniform lumber measured at high speed by stress-grading machines of the constant-deflection type. Simulations carried out with the model showed that speed had no significant effect on the average E measured along the lumber but largely affected E values measured at individual locations. Tests conducted at 15, 150 and 315 m/min with two machines employing different supports conditions confirmed model predictions. Ability of the grading machines to identify local E values at high speed could be improved by proper filtering of the load signal recorded by the machine.Experimental data analysed in this paper were collected when the author was a Research Scientist at Forintek Canada Corp., 6620 N.W. Marine Dr., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1X2. The author is grateful to H. Fraser and L. S. Olson from Forintek for their assistance in perfoming the experiments. Financial support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is gratefully achnowledged.     

Modeling lumber strength spatial variation using trend removal and kriging analyses

Summary The techniques of kriging and trend removal analysis for modeling the strength properties of lumber have been discussed. Using these techniques, the within member compressive strengths of 38 mm × 89 mm 2100f-1.8E and the within member tensile strengths of 38 mm × 89 mm No. 2 spruce-pine-fir lumber have been modeled. The suitability of these techniques to model the strength properties of lumber has been evaluated by comparing the kriged compressive and tensile strength data to baseline experimentally collected compressive strength data and simulated tensile strength data, respectively. Comparisons of the results of statistical analyses of the baseline data and the kriged data show good agreement. The use of kriging and trend removal techniques to generate strength values in simulation studies for finite element analyses of wood structures is judged to be effective.     

Increased planting density as a means for improving Pinus elliottii lumber stiffness

Faster growth and reduced harvesting ages are causing a reduction in the stiffness of lumber from South African grown pine plantations. The objective of this study was to determine whether increased planting densities of Pinus elliottii would result in improved stiffness of its sawn lumber and whether it would affect other relevant lumber properties. Four planting density treatments (403, 1 097, 1 808, and 2 981 stems ha^?1) of a 12-year-old experimental spacing trial were processed into lumber. The static modulus of elasticity (MOE_stat), modulus of rupture (MOR), warp, knot properties and density of the lumber were measured for 172 boards. Results showed that the planting density had a significant effect on the MOE_stat of the lumber. The higher mean MOE_stat (up to 27% increases) of lumber from densely planted trees seems to be the result of the higher slenderness and the slower diameter growth of these trees. Planting density also had a significant effect on the twist, knot area ratio and the number of knots per board. The magnitude of the effect on each of these properties, however, was relatively low.