Determining moisture-dependent elastic characteristics of beech wood by means of ultrasonic waves

The present study investigates the influence of moisture content on the elastic characteristics of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) by means of ultrasonic waves. A set of elastic engineering parameters (i.e. three Young’s moduli, three shear moduli and six Poisson’s ratios) is determined at four specific moisture contents. The results reveal the significant influence of the moisture content on the elastic behaviour of beech wood. With the exception of some Poisson’s ratios, the engineering parameters decrease with increasing moisture content, indicating a decline in stiffness at higher moisture contents. At the same time, wood anisotropy, displayed by the two-dimensional representation of the velocity surface, remains almost unchanged. The results prove that the ultrasonic technique is suitable for determining the elastic moduli. However, non-diagonal terms of the stiffness matrix must be considered when calculating the Young’s moduli. This is shown experimentally by comparing the ultrasonic Young’s moduli calculated without, and allowing for, the non-diagonal terms. While the ultrasonic technique is found to be reliable to measure the elastic moduli, based on the measured values, its eligibility to measure the Poisson’s ratios remains uncertain.     

Modelling and simulation of deformation behaviour during drying using a concept of linear difference method

This study deals with the development of a two-dimensional model to simulate the deformations in wood samples during the wood drying process for the evaluation of the drying quality. The samples cut from sapwood of beech were used to analyse the moisture content distribution of the samples at two different drying conditions. A new concept based on a linear difference method was developed to use the moisture content distribution of the samples for the simulation process to predict deformation due to casehardening. The real deformations of the prongs were compared with the simulated ones for further improvements. The results show that the model can be used to simulate the deformations independently from different drying times and drying conditions. A good comparison between real and simulated changes in deformation was found for the drying process at constant climate conditions. The results provide a useful basis for further investigations on the modelling and simulation of the deformation of the samples due to different drying processes.     

压前含水率对杉木间伐材压缩木性能的影响

通过对杉木间伐材压缩密化的水分和物理力学性能进行分析,并观察木材微观结构的变化,可得出以下结果：1)压缩木各方向的水分分布不均匀,容易翘曲变形;2)水分对压缩木的物理力学性能有影响,压前含水率50％左右,压缩木硬度、抗弯弹性模量和抗弯强度最大,但冲击韧性随着压前含水率的增加呈下降趋势。从微观结构的观察可知,杉木间伐材压缩木的细胞只是被挤压,细胞腔变小而细胞壁未受到破坏。为了降低压后含水率,使水分分布均匀,可以采取两种办法：一是使初始含水率尽可能低,二是热压时间尽可能长。     

Dielectric properties of hardwood species at microwave frequencies

Dielectric measurements at 9.8GHz and 2.45GHz were made for the three hardwoods Euramerican hybrid poplar, alder, and oriental beech. The method used was based on Von Hippels transmission line method. The measurements were carried out at room temperature of 20°–24°C. The dielectric properties of the wood species were determined for the three principal structural directions at six different moisture conditions, covering the range of 0% to 28% moisture content. Results indicated that the behavior of all wood species studied is quantitatively similar. In general, the dielectric properties increase within the range studied with rising moisture content. The grain direction of the wood also plays a significant role.     

Dynamic simulation of disintegration of wood chips caused by impact and collisions during the steam explosion pretreatment

Steam explosion (SE) pretreatment produces damaged and disintegrated biomass with a large surface area which facilitates enzymatic hydrolysis for the production of biofuels and other value-added chemicals. It was observed during experiments that wood chips disintegrate into smaller pieces because of collisions and impact with each other and the walls of the SE equipment. In this study, these events were simulated using the finite element method. Wood chips were simulated in this model as a linear elastic material until failure. The damage initiation was identified using Hashin’s damage initiation criteria. Once the damage was initiated, additional loading caused the evolution of damage, i.e. degradation and breakage of the material, which was modelled using the material property degradation model and deletion of the failed elements. Elastic and strength properties of spruce wood were estimated at ambient conditions (12 % moisture content at 20 °C) and at SE conditions (30 % moisture content at 160 °C). Comparison of simulations performed using material properties at ambient and SE conditions revealed that the damage in wood chips significantly increased because of the steam treatment. The effects of wood chip velocity and orientation at the time of impact were studied as well. It was found that wood chips moving at high velocity and impacting with the steel wall in the radial direction acquire the most damage.     

毛竹竹材物理力学性能研究

为了解不同竹龄毛竹生材含水率、线性干缩率、气干密度、抗弯强度、抗弯弹性模量和顺纹抗压强度等物理性能,对其加工应用的影响,笔者以2-7年生毛竹为材料进行研究,结果表明：竹材的生材含水率、气干干缩率（弦向、径向、纵向）和全干缩率（弦向、径向、纵向）随着竹龄的增加呈减小的趋势;从基部到梢部竹材的生材含水率、线性干缩率均减小;竹材线性干缩率弦向＞径向＞纵向.竹材气干密度、抗弯强度、抗弯弹性模量和顺纹抗压强度均随着竹龄的增加呈增大的趋势,尤其是3年生竹材的这些物理力学性能与2年生差异显著,但3年后生竹材差异不大;从基部到梢部竹材的气干密度、抗弯强度、抗弯弹性模量和顺纹抗压强度逐渐增加.综合考虑毛竹的物理力学性能和竹林的经济效益,适合采伐的是3年后生竹材,锯截之后的竹材也应根据部位不同进行区分,以便于加工应用过程中合理利用,提高产品的理化性能和质量的稳定性.     

Studies on pre-treatment by compression for wood drying III: the reduction of moisture content,the recovery rate,and mechanical properties of wood compressed at different moisture content conditions

As a follow-up report, the pre-treatment by compression for wood drying was systematically studied in terms of the reduction of moisture content (MC), the recovery rate (RR), and mechanical properties of wood compressed at different MC conditions. The results showed that MC after compression on water-saturated wood determined the critical value of MC before compression which were about 84 and 105% at a compression ratio of 60 and 40% for Poplar and Chinese fir, respectively. Beyond the critical value, MC after compression remained constantly at about 84% and decreased slightly from 105% for Poplar and Chinese fir, respectively. The MC reduction decreased with the decrease of MC before compression. The MC reduction was rather effective when the MC before compression was higher than the critical value and was recommended to pre-treat for the effectiveness of MC reduction. In addition, after the recovery, the wood volume and mechanical properties were well retained for the wood compressed at all MC conditions which were above fiber saturation point (FSP) before and after compression. Therefore, the pre-treatment by compression is viable in terms of the RR and mechanical properties at rather broad MC conditions above FSP. Moreover, the compression force needed for treatment was almost same at these MC conditions.     

Physical and mechanical properties of wood after moisture conditioning

Some properties of wood (hinoki:Chamaecyparis obtusa) moisture-conditioned by an adsorption process from a dry state and by two desorption processes (from a water-saturated state and from a state with a moisture content slightly below the fiber saturation point) were investigated. The moisture contents of wood conditioned by the adsorption process and by the desorption process continued to approach to one another for the moisture-conditioning period of over 50 weeks. Accordingly, sorption hysteresis should be regarded as a transitional phenomenon that occurs during the process of approaching the true equilibrium, which requires a long time. The wood conditioned by the desorption process beginning from a water-saturated state showed slightly smaller dimensions than those conditioned by the adsorption process with the same moisture content; however, the wood conditioned by the desorption process from a moisture content below the fiber saturation point showed slightly larger dimensions than those conditioned by the adsorption process. The wood conditioned by the adsorption process from a dry state showed a higher modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture than did the wood conditioned from a water-saturated state with the same moisture content. The mechanical properties of the wood also varied based on the states at which the desorption process was started. This is a notable characteristic of the relation between the drying condition and the mechanical properties of wood.     

Development of high-performance strand boards: multiscale modeling of anisotropic elasticity

The interrelationships between microstructural characteristics and anisotropic elastic properties of strand-based engineered wood products are highly relevant in order to produce custom-designed strand products with tailored properties. A model providing a link between these characteristics and the resulting elastic behavior of the strand products is a very valuable tool to study these relationships. Here, the development, the experimental validation, and several applications of a multiscale model for strand products are presented. In a first homogenization step, the elastic properties of homogeneous strand boards are estimated by means of continuum micromechanics from strand shape, strand orientation, elastic properties of the used raw material, and mean board density. In a second homogenization step, the effective stiffness of multi-layer strand boards is determined by means of lamination theory, where the vertical density profile and different layer assemblies are taken into account. On the whole, this model enables to predict the macroscopic mechanical performance of strand-based panels from microscopic mechanical and morphological characteristics and, thus, constitutes a valuable tool for product development and optimization.     

山毛榉热处理材的介电式含水率仪读数校正实验

采用介电式含水率仪对山毛榉常规干燥材及热处理材的含水率进行了测量,并与烘干法测量结果进行了对比分析,采用最小二乘法,分别拟合出了180℃、195℃和210℃山毛榉热处理材的校正曲线。180℃、195℃和210℃山毛榉热处理材的介电式含水率仪校正曲线分别为, y＝1.2923 x＋0.2783, y＝1.3920 x＋0.7473, y＝1.6445 x＋1.4892。结果表明,常规干燥材的电测法结果能很好地反映其实际含水率水平,而热处理材的电测法结果则普遍大于烘干法,3种热处理材均呈现出随含水率的增高,差值随之增大的趋势,且随着处理温度的升高,差值愈大。     

Ultrastructural features affecting mechanical properties of wood fibres

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to re-examine some of the existing knowledge on the ultrastructure of softwood fibres and modelling of the hygroelastic properties of these fibres. The motivation is that the ultrastructure of wood fibres has a strong influence on fibre properties such as stiffness and hygroexpansion. This structure–property relationship can be modelled with, for instance, composite mechanics to assess the influence of ultrastructure on the fibre properties that in turn control the engineering properties of wood fibre composites and other wood-based materials. Comprehensive information about the ultrastructure is presented that can be useful in modelling the hygroelastic behaviour of wood fibres. Many attempts to model ultrastructure–property relationships that have been carried out over the years are reviewed. Even though models suffer from limiting approximations at some level, they have been useful in revealing valuable insights that can help to clarify experimentally determined behaviour of wood fibres. Still, many modelling approaches in the literature are of limited applicability, not the least when it comes to geometry of the fibre structure. Therefore, an example of finite element modelling of geometrically well-characterized fibres is given. This approach is shown to be useful to asses the influence of the commonly neglected irregular shape on elastic behaviour and stress state in wood fibres. Comparison is also made with an analytical model which assumes cylindrical fibre shape. Predictions of the elastic properties made with analytical modelling of cylindrical fibres and with finite element modelling of geometrically characterized fibres are in concert, but the stress state and failure predictions only show qualitative similarity. It can be concluded that calculations on fibres with the irregular and more realistic geometry combined with experiments on single fibres are necessary for a better and more quantitative understanding of the hygroelastic behaviour and particularly failure of wood fibres. It is hoped that this paper can provide a foundation and an inspiration for modelling, in combination with experiments and microscopy, for better predictions of the mechanical behaviour of wood fibres and wood fibre composites.     

Climate control in vacuum dryers for convective heat transfer

The European Drying Group (EDG) proposal on a wood drying quality standard defines demands on final moisture content variation of the dried wood. The final moisture content variation will depend on material parameters as well as the production process and the wood will always show a “natural” moisture content variation after drying. Thus the drying process has to be defined well enough to allow for the natural moisture content variation in order to fulfil the demands of the drying standards. As the average equilibrium moisture content of the wood in a vacuum drying kiln with pure steam atmosphere is determined by the pressure and the temperature, the demands on the climate control system to fulfil the demands of the drying standard can be calculated with regard to the natural moisture content variation of the wood. In the first part of this contribution the demands on climate control in vacuum dryers are calculated based on the EDG-standard and the natural moisture content variation. In the second part of the contribution the demands on climate control are compared with climate and moisture content measurements from industrial production in vacuum kilns. Critical factors in kiln design and climate control system design necessary to maintain a controlled drying climate are listed.     

Determination of elastic properties of clear wood by the homogenization method in two dimensions

A two-dimensional homogenization model for determining elastic properties of clear wood is described. It is based on the elastic properties of the chemical constituents of the wood and the known geometry of the fibers. The model is valid for clear wood and can be used to determine the state of stresses at both micro and macrostructural levels. Stress and displacement analysis were made with the finite element method. Experiments in bending, compression parallel- and perpendicular-to-grain were made with six different Mexican wood species, including softwoods, temperate climate hardwoods and tropical hardwoods using small clear wood specimens. Such tests were made at various moisture content levels and the results of the model match closely with experimental data. The analytical technique can be readily extended to three dimensions. The data generated with this model can be used in further studies for material and structures optimization purposes.     

Thermoplastic flow behavior of steamed wood flour under heat and compression

In this study the thermoplastic flow behavior of steamed wood flour was investigated. First it was demonstrated that steamed Japanese beech flour flowed out of the nozzle under compression at high temperature in a thermal flow test with a capillary rheometer. The effects of the steaming temperature, steaming time, compressive pressure, and moisture content of wood flour on the thermal flow temperature were examined. It was shown that the higher the steaming temperature and compressive pressure, the lower the thermal flow temperature. Also, the thermal flow temperature of the sample steamed at 200°C for 20 min became lowest and increasingly higher over time. Furthermore, the thermal flow temperature became linearly low with increasing moisture content of the sample under 15%, whereas it became essentially constant over 15%. It is clarified that compressive pressure and moisture content as well as the steaming conditions profoundly affect the thermoplastic flow behavior of steamed wood flour.     

Ultrastructural features affecting mechanical properties of wood fibres

The purpose of this review is to re-examine some of the existing knowledge on the ultrastructure of softwood fibres and modelling of the hygroelastic properties of these fibres. The motivation is that the ultrastructure of wood fibres has a strong influence on fibre properties such as stiffness and hygroexpansion. This structure-property relationship can be modelled with, for instance, composite mechanics to assess the influence of ultrastructure on the fibre properties that in turn control the engineering properties of wood fibre composites and other wood-based materials. Comprehensive information about the ultrastructure is presented that can be useful in modelling the hygroelastic behaviour of wood fibres. Many attempts to model ultrastructure-property relationships that have been carried out over the years are reviewed. Even though models suffer from limiting approximations at some level, they have been useful in revealing valuable insights that can help to clarify experimentally determined behaviour of wood fibres. Still, many modelling approaches in the literature are of limited applicability, not the least when it comes to geometry of the fibre structure. Therefore, an example of finite element modelling of geometrically well-characterized fibres is given. This approach is shown to be useful to asses the influence of the commonly neglected irregular shape on elastic behaviour and stress state in wood fibres. Comparison is also made with an analytical model which assumes cylindrical fibre shape. Predictions of the elastic properties made with analytical modelling of cylindrical fibres and with finite element modelling of geometrically characterized fibres are in concert, but the stress state and failure predictions only show qualitative similarity. It can be concluded that calculations on fibres with the irregular and more realistic geometry combined with experiments on single fibres are necessary for a better and more quantitative understanding of the hygroelastic behaviour and particularly failure of wood fibres. It is hoped that this paper can provide a foundation and an inspiration for modelling, in combination with experiments and microscopy, for better predictions of the mechanical behaviour of wood fibres and wood fibre composites.     

Identification of moisture-induced stresses in cross-laminated wood panels from beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The crosswise bonding of the layers in laminated solid wood panels results in internal stresses when the humidity varies. The layers hinder one another as a result of the anisotropy of wood. The purpose of this study was to determine the internal stress state in free and constrained swelling. The expansion properties in the three panel directions were measured. Furthermore, the swelling of samples was constrained while the resulting forces were recorded. Hygroscopic warping experiments were carried out inducing a climate gradient within the panels. Afterwards the stresses were calculated from released deformations and non-destructive measurements of the Young’s modulus. The materials used were untreated and heat-treated beech wood, the latter modified in two levels. In addition to homogenously structured panels, treated top layers were combined with an untreated middle layer. Swelling, swelling pressure, warping and internal stresses considerably decreased from untreated to treated wood. If layers from treated and untreated material were combined, stresses and deformations increased as compared to the variants produced only from treated wood. It was concluded that the lower equilibrium moisture content of heat-treated beech wood improves its dimensional stability, which results in smaller deformation differences between the layers. Hence, the stresses were less distinctive.     

Shrinkage stresses in wood logs considered as layered,cylindrically orthotropic materials

Summary The deformation and stresses in a circular wood log resulting from an arbitrary radial moisture distribution are examined. In this paper the log is modeled as a layered cylinder, with each layer assumed to be linearly elastic, cylindrically orthotropic, and homogeneous. The general solution to the equations of elasticity for a representative layer is given; constants of integration in the solution are determined through application of appropriate continuity conditions at the layer interfaces. Numerical examples are presented for logs of Scots pine which illustrate the effect of nonuniform moisture content upon the displacement and stress distributions.     

Properties of curved laminated veneer lumber made from fast-growing species with radiofrequency heating for use in furniture

Curved laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is manufactured from glue-coated pieces of rotary-cut veneers assembled and pressed between molds. In this study, curved LVLs were produced from two fast-growing wood species such as massion pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) and poplar (Populus euramericana CV. I.) for use in furniture. In addition to the applicability of the two wood species used, the optimum technological conditions of curved LVL production with radiofrequency (RF) heating and the physical and mechanical properties of curved LVL were investigated. The results are as follows: (1) Curved LVL made from massion pine and fast-growing poplar shows excellent mechanical properties. These fast-growing wood species are suitable for curved LVL being used as furniture structural members. (2) The mechanical properties of curved LVL are affected by frequency, voltage, RF application time, and moisture content, with the RF application time and moisture content having more important effects on the mechanical properties than the frequency and the voltage. (3) The mechanical properties of curved LVL increase with a linear increase in the density of curved LVL.The abstract of this study was presented at the 9th Annual Meeting of the Chugoku Shikoku Branch of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tottori, October 4, 1997     

邓恩桉生材含水率、年轮宽度及木材密度研究

为了解邓恩桉的木材性质,本研究采用排水法和《GB/T 1930-2009》方法测定邓恩桉的生材含水率、年轮宽度以及木材密度。结果表明：全树生材含水率、年轮宽度、生材密度和基本密度均值分别为114.61%、4.73 mm、1.164 g·cm-3、0.522 g·cm-3。随着树高的增加,年轮宽度、木材密度呈-大-小-大‖趋势,生材含水率呈-小-大-小‖趋势;由髓心向外,木材密度逐渐减小,生材含水率逐渐增大,年轮宽度先增加后减小。4个材性指标在树干径向不同位置间差异极显著,在不同树高间差异不显著（除年轮宽度外）。基本密度与3个材性指标间存在极显著或显著相关。     

Effect of hydro-thermal treatment of green beech wood on its chemical and physco-mechanical properties

Summary Preliminary investigations were carried out aiming at the establishment of relationships between chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of beech wood under the influence of heating in water at 50°C and 100°C at pH values from 2.8 to 8.5 and with heating times up to 25 hours. It was found that heating of beech wood in water at 50°C does not produce remarkable changes in its properties. When green wood was heated at 100°C, insignificant changes in its density, shrinking, and -cellulose content were observed, whereas a considerable decrease in strength was found when tested in a wet state. It was further observed that on prolonged heating, the reactions of the wood and the solutions used as a heating medium under-went distinct changes, attaining an equivalent value approximating the final pH of the wood.