Property relationships between spruce logs and structural timber

This paper summarises the comparison between log properties and resulting structural timber properties. The establishment of these relationships is a first step to place the grading as early as possible in the production process, if possible directly on the log. To find out what should be detected on the log, the modulus of elasticity (MOE) based on longitudinal frequency, the number of resin pockets and the value for spiral grain were detected. Relationships are established to the corresponding properties on the structural timber produced out of it and to visual log grades commonly used in Austria. This paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of these properties on 85 spruce logs. The MOE based on longitudinal frequency showed high potential whereas the number of resin pockets and the value of spiral grain only helped to identify timber unsuitable for construction.     

Estimating Strength of Finger-jointed Dimension Lumber by Nondestructive Methods

Structural finger-jointed (FJ) lumber was used mainly in structural applications including glue-laminated beams and wooden I-joists and more recently in parallel chord wood trusses. The paper evaluated strength properties of structural FJ lumber by three nondestructive methods (edge-wise bending, longitudinal and transversal vibration) in order to find an alternative to traditional evaluation methods. Lumber was sawn from the logs following a pattern typically used in China to maximize the volume of recover...     

落叶松规格材机械应力分等方法的研究

对东北人工林落叶松规格材机械分等方法及其特征值进行了研究.结果表明,抗弯弹性模量与抗弯强度相关性较好,纵向振动法可作为落叶松规格材机械分等的有效方法.按照我国GB 50005-2003<木结构设计规范>的规定,落叶松规格材可归类为M14～M35之间的等级;通过机械分等,大大提高了落叶松规格材的强度设计值.     

Comparing Grade Classification Criteria for Automatic Sorting of Norway Spruce Saw Logs

Grades of centre and side boards from 277 Norway spruce logs were combined to form binary response variables, here denoted as sorting criteria. Four different grading systems were tested. The log geometry variables unevenness, butt taper and top taper were used in logistic regression models. The classification accuracy ranged from 58 to 83%. The accuracy was higher for visual stress grade criteria than for more complex criteria such as the Nordic timber grading rules. The number of tested criteria and thus possible comparisons limited the ability to establish significant differences. The low associations between board grades within logs and between graders, highlight key issues when developing and improving automatic log sorting systems.     

Acoustic measurements on trees and logs: a review and analysis

Acoustic technologies have been well established as material evaluation tools in the past several decades, and their use has become widely accepted in the forest products industry for online quality control and products grading. Recent research developments on acoustic sensing technology offer further opportunities to evaluate standing trees and logs for general wood quality and intrinsic wood properties. Although the concept of using acoustic velocity as an effective measure of stiffness applies to both standing trees and felled logs, the method typically used to measure acoustic velocity in trees is different from that used in logs. Consequently, there is a significant difference in measured velocity values between trees and logs. Other factors affecting tree–log velocity relationships include tree diameter, stand age, operating temperature, and wood moisture content. This paper presents the fundamentals of acoustic wave propagation in trees and logs and discusses two different mechanisms of acoustic velocity measurement, time-of-flight for standing trees and resonance for logs. Experimental data from previous studies are reviewed and analyzed to examine the strength of the tree–log velocity relationships and discuss the factors that influence tree velocity deviation.     

Stiffness gradients in radiata pine trees

A mill study of 62 trees, in which boards were reassembled into their original logs, permitted the construction of wood quality maps. In this instance stiffness profiles were obtained from butt to upper-top logs, based on machine stress grading of all boards and then averaging values from the 62 trees. Traditionally the butt log has been perceived to be the most valuable log in a tree, because it is bigger and gives a higher recovery of lumber. However, it is shown to contain a wide cone of very low stiffness wood that is confined to the first 2.4–2.7 m above ground level. Above this point stiffness gradients become cylindrical with no noticeable decrease in stiffness up the tree stem. Stiffness in all logs increased radially from pith to cambium with the greatest change being associated with the wood nearest the pith. The low stiffness at the base of the tree suggests that an alternative log bucking strategy should be considered, namely cutting a short 2.4–2.7 m butt log for plywood/LVL or for bolter sawing and only cutting standard length logs above this point.The least stiff logs (lowest 20%) yielded lumber that had an average stiffness that was over 1 GPa less than the average for the population. A case can be made for separating these logs and processing them differently.     

北美规格材机械分等综述

规格材的机械分等方法是北美一种很重要的分等体系, 即采用机械应力测定设备对木材进行非破坏性试验, 按测定的木材弯曲强度和弹性模量确定木材的材质等级。用于机械分等规格材的分选参数可以因不同工厂机械的具体情况而进行调整, 较目测分等更能适应现代化木材工业的发展要求。文中从分等方法的诞生、机械分等与目测分等相互关系、机械分等方法和标准、分等机构设置等方面介绍了北美规格材机械分等, 在此基础上分析了中国规格材分等的现状并对中国规格材分等提出了参考建议。     

北美规格材目测分等概述

目测分等方法是北美一种很重要的锯材分等体系, 即依据目测分等规则通过肉眼观测方式测定木材的缺陷状况进而确定规格材的材质等级。因此, 对木材缺陷与材质等级之间关系的正确把握以及对分等规则的正确应用, 是对规格材进行科学、正确分等的基本要求。合理地依据目测分等规则划分规格材等级, 不仅可以使规格材生产厂家的经济效益最大化, 而且有利于规格材产品使用性能的充分、合理发挥。经过目测分等的规格材具有客观的力学性质以及外观质量等级, 可以为其作为结构用材使用时提供科学的依据。直到今天, 目测分等方法依然是北美进行规格材分等的主要分等方法和基础。文中介绍了北美目测分等方法的发展、原理、意义以及世界上其他一些国家和地区的目测分等标准, 并对中国目测分等标准与北美目测分等规则进行了比较, 希望对完善我国的目测分等规则有所启示。     

Acoustic evaluation of loblolly pine tree- and lumber-length logs allows for segregation of lumber modulus of elasticity,not for modulus of rupture

Key message

Loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) logs can be evaluated using acoustic velocity whereby threshold acoustic velocity values can be set to ensure lumber meets specified mechanical property design values for modulus of elasticity.

Context

There is a need to better sort logs according to lumber quality for improved decision making and wood utilization because merchantable logs are being harvested from different stand types including natural forests, conventional plantations, and intensively managed plantations, all with differences in rotation ages, growth rates, and wood quality traits.

Aims

This study aimed to link tree- and lumber-length log acoustic velocity with the resulting lumber properties as tested in static bending from five intensively managed loblolly pine stands in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia.

Methods

Acoustic velocity was measured using the resonance-based approach on 87 tree-length logs and 244 lumber-length logs. The logs were then processed into 797 pieces of 38 mm by 89 mm (2×4), 140 mm (2×6), 184 mm (2×8), and 235 mm (2×10) dimension lumber, dried, and tested in static bending.

Results

Mean MOE of the lumber had moderate relationships with acoustic velocity of the logs (R ² = 0.49) whereas MOR and acoustic velocity did not have a strong relationship (R ² = 0.20). Accounting for log position increased the performance of the mean lumber MOE model (R ² = 0.62) which was further increased by adding green density and small-end diameter (R ² = 0.67). Utilization of acoustics was effective for segregating logs based on lumber modulus of elasticity and did not depend on knowing tree or stand information such as age, site quality, and silviculture history.

Conclusion

Acoustic velocity evaluation of tree- and lumber-length logs could be employed to segregate logs within the supply chain to ensure that lumber would meet specified design values.

     

Strength properties of glued laminated timber made from edge-glued laminae I: strength properties of edge-glued karamatsu (Larix kaempferi) laminae

The object of this study was to investigate the strength properties of edge-glued laminae and to propose a suitable grading method based on the lamina modulus of elasticity (MOE). Edge-glued laminae composed of lumber with similar MOEs (uniform laminae) and edge-glued laminae produced by randomly gluing lumber independent of MOE (random laminae) were made from karamatsu (Larix kaempferi) lumber having the same thickness and length, but various widths. For both the uniform and random laminae, there was a strong correlation between MOE values measured using the longitudinal vibration technique, the static bending test, and a grading machine. The average values of bending, tensile, and compressive strengths of the uniform laminae were similar to those of the random laminae. On the other hand, the average strength of laminae without end joints was significantly higher than that of finger-jointed laminae for both uniform and random laminae. Finger-joints and knots played a significant role in the failure of specimens, but the edge-gluing and the difference in MOE within an edge-glued lamina did not appear to affect the strength properties. The bending, tensile, and compressive strengths of edge-glued laminae were strongly correlated to the lamina MOE.     

Predicting the Stiffness of Sawn Products by X-ray Scanning of Norway Spruce Saw Logs

The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of strength grading Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] saw logs on the basis of simulated X-ray LogScanner measurements and to evaluate the potential accuracy of X-ray LogScanner measurements of green heartwood density and percentage of heartwood. The study was based on 272 logs for strength grading and 29 logs for measurements of green heartwood density and percentage of heartwood. The logs were scanned using computed tomography (CT). After sawing, the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the centre boards was measured using a strength-grading machine. The CT images were used for simulations of an X-ray LogScanner, resulting in simulated measurements of different variables such as diameter, taper, percentage of heartwood, density and density variations. Multivariate models for prediction of MOE were then calibrated using partial least squares (PLS) regression. The MOE of a log was defined as the mean value of the MOE of the two centre boards. The study showed that the simulated X-ray LogScanner measured the percentage of heartwood and green heartwood density with relatively high accuracy (R ² = 0.94 and R ² = 0.73, respectively, after removing two outliers) and that these and other variables measured by the simulated X-ray LogScanner could be used to predict the stiffness of the centre boards. These predictions were used to sort the logs according to the predicted MOE. When sorting out 50% of the logs (''high-strength'' logs), the percentage of C30 boards increased from 73% (all logs in the study) to 100% (only ''high-strength'' logs). The rest of the logs could then be divided into two groups, one of them with 100% C24 and C30 boards.     

Predicting probability of A-quality lumber of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) prior to or concurrently with logging operation

Knot properties have a profound influence on the suitability of wood for many wood products leading to significant value differences between different quality grades. It would therefore be rather advantageous to maximise the volume of good quality timber attained from the logs. The objective of this study was to assess how well A-quality lumber of Scots pine derived from log tomography features can be predicted with characteristics measured prior to or concurrently with the logging operation. The study is based on field experiments and X-ray scanning of 204 stems from southern Finland in 2014. We employed mixed logistic regression techniques to model the relationship between the main stem characteristics and probability of A-quality lumber. From the tree characteristics that can be measured or detected from standing trees, the height from the ground level to the lowest dead branch was found to be the best predictor of A-quality lumber. From the characteristics that could, at least in theory, be detected and measured at the moment of harvest, early growth rate and size of tree were found to be the best combination for predicting the probability of A-class quality.     

Evaluation of the visual stress grading standard on French Spruce (Picea excelsa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) sawn timber

? In this paper an evaluation of the visual grading standard for softwood sawn timber was made.

? In order to do so, visual grading according to EN 518 and theoretical grading according to EN 338 and EN 384 (measurements of MOE, MOR and density) were applied to lumber. Two batches of 111 and 102 French boards were graded, respectively, of Spruce (Picea excelsa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). For the visual grading the most discriminant criterion was noted: knots, cracks, wane, etc.

? Finally, the results of the two grading methods were compared, and it was shown that the visual stress grading gave quite low results for our two French species.

     

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.     

Bending strength and modulus of elasticity of Pinus sylvestris round timber from southern Norway

Abstract

To enable use of round Scots pine timber in structural frameworks it is necessary to estimate the mechanical properties of the material. This paper presents data on density, bending strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 533 debarked Scots pine logs with diameter from 75 mm to 250 mm sampled from 10 sites in southern Norway. The results show that round timber can have high values of bending strength and MOE, depending on the sites from which the trees have been collected. Some of the variation in bending properties can be explained by visual characteristics, but since a significant proportion of the residual variance is related to sites, criteria for visual strength grading have to be conservative to be valid across all sites. The potential for machine grading based on measuring MOE is better since this model is more accurate and the random effect of site is smaller.     

Segregation of Eucalyptus Lumbers for Finger-jointed Using Longitudinal Vibration

The variation in lumber quality within the supply of eucalypt is large. Effective segregation of the lumber according to "fitness for purpose " is fundamental to enabling the capture of greater value for the finger-jointed. This paper deals with the longitudinal vibration technique as a means of assessing modulus of elasticity (MOE) of solid and finger-jointed specimens made with Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla and E. grandis. Dynamic MOE was calculated from resonance frequencies obtained from longitudina...     

扭叶松实木板材三种动态弹性模量和静态弹性模量比较研究(英文)

采用Pundit、Metriguard、FFT等三种无损检测方法和常规弯曲法对加拿大扭叶松(lodgepole pine)蓝变与非蓝变实木板材的动态及静态弹性模量进行检测和比较研究。结果表明,蓝变材三种动态弹性模量及静态弹性模量均高于非蓝变材;对比分析表明,蓝变材和非蓝变材的动态及静态弹性模量存在差异,其中动态弹性模量差异均达到0.01显著性水平,静态弹性模量差异达到0.05显著性水平,并且心、边材及密度值不同是导致以上差异的主要原因。相关性分析表明,动态与静态弹性模量间相关性达到0.01显著性水平;尽管三种无损检测方法测量结果存在差异,但它们之间仍存在密切相关性,FFT 技术测量的准确性高于Pundit和Metriguard;板材中结子数影响木材动态和静态弹性模量,随着板材结子数增加弹性模量相应地降低。     

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.     

Modelling of knots in logs

A geometrical model was derived to describe knots in logs and on the surface of lumber beams sawn from those logs. Each knot is defined by 7 parameters related to the shape and position in the stem. A computer simulation program was written to study knot shapes on a variety of observation planes.An initial investigation on the shape of knots in Scots pine logs and lumber beams suggests that the model is sufficiently accurate to describe knottiness in this species. Potential applications of this model include automated lumber grading, computerized log reconstitution and yield optimization studies.This research was carried out when the author was a Visiting Scientist at the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), Forest Products Laboratory, P.O. Box 207, SF-02151 Espoo, Finland. Technical assistance of U. Saarelainen, A. Usenius and C. O. Sommardahl from VTT is gratefully acknowledged. This work was partially supported by Forestry Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada     

Applicability of Visual Grading to Chinese Fir Structural Lumber

As one of the most important plantations, Chinese fir has drawn more and more attention from domestic wood researchers. And as the development and increasing of plantation resource of Chinese fir, research and development of the product will become a hot point. In this paper, we chose 1 571 pieces of structural lumbers from 4 areas to research grading. After sawing, drying and dressing, the lumbers were separated into 3 main grades by GB50005-2003 Code for Design of Timber Structures, namely SS, No. 1 and No.2. The conclusions are that knot as the maximum strength reduced defect （MSRD） is a main character in the lumber, the visual quality of Fujian structural lumbers is polarized, and the applicability of visual grading to the lumber is poor, so we hold the point that we should adjust the grading rules to gain a better grading result.