Predicting spiral grain by computed tomography of Norway spruce

Spiral grain is a feature of wood that affects the shape of the sawn timber. Boards sawn from logs with a large spiral grain have a tendency to twist when the moisture content changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of predicting spiral grain based on variables that should be measurable with an X-ray LogScanner. The study was based on 49 Norway spruce (Picea abies) logs from three stands in Sweden. The logs were scanned with a computed tomography (CT) scanner every 10mm along the log. Concentric surfaces at various distances from the pith were then reconstructed from the stack of CT images. The spiral grain angle was measured in these concentric surface images, and a statistical model for predicting spiral grain was calibrated using partial least squares (PLS) regression. The PLS model predicts the spiral grain of a log at a distance 50mm from the pith based on different variables that should be measurable with an industrial X-ray LogScanner. The result was a PLS model withR ²=0.52 for the training set andR ²=0.37 for the test set. We concluded that it should be possible to predict the spiral grain of a log based on variables measured by an industrial X-ray LogScanner. The most important variables for predicting spiral grain were measures of sapwood content, variation in the ratio between the heartwood and log areas, and the standard deviation for the mean log density in 10mm thick cross slices along the log. The accuracy when sorting the logs into two groups with spiral grain of 2.0° and of <2.0°, respectively, was 84% of the correctly sorted logs.     

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.     

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.     

Measurement of spiral grain with computed tomography

Spiral grain is a feature of wood that affects the shape of the sawn timber. Boards sawn from logs with a large spiral grain have a tendency to twist when the moisture content changes. In sawmills the spiral grain in logs is judged manually. For research purposes the spiral grain in stems and logs is normally measured by destructive methods. In this study the spiral grain of the stems was measured nondestructively with a computed tomography (CT) scanner. Twelve Norway spruce (Picea abies) stems from two stands in Sweden were scanned with a CT scanner with one cross-sectional scan every 10mm along the stem. Concentric surfaces at various distances from the pith were reconstructed from the stack of CT images. In these concentric-surface images, which show various internal features of the log. the spiral grain angle was measured at different distances from the pith and at different heights in the stem. The destructive measurements of the spiral grain were carried out on disks from the top ends of the logs. On these disks the spiral grain was measured at different distances from the pith with a protractor. Finally, the results from the destructive method were compared with the results from analysis of the CT images. The nondestructive and destructive measurements were compared in pairs with the same radial and approximately the same height position in each pair. The correlations (r) between the two methods were 0.81 and 0.71. respectively, for the two stands. It was concluded that it is possible to measure the spiral grain angle nondestructively with a CT scanner.An outline of this study was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto     

REVIEWS—RESENSIES

The effect of various conventional seasoning treatments, restraint, storage, log diameter and position of boards in logs on the twisting behaviour of 19–20 year old P. patula timber was determined. The results indicate a distinct influence of restraint and to a lesser extent of temperature on twist, especially so on boards containing pith associated wood of the 27–36 em diameter class and all the boards, regardless of board position in the log, of the 17–23 em diameter class. The benefit of reduced twist through the application of restraint and higher temperatures was generally maintained after a 12 months storage period. It seems as if P, patula boards remain fairly stable during storage when only small moisture changes take place in the timber but the boards of the 17–23 em log diameter class and especially those containing pith associated wood, increased by 3–6° in twist with a loss in moisture content of only 3%.     

Geometric model to predict twist in unrestrained boards

A theory has been developed for calculating the twist that develops in boards during drying without restraint, as well as the deformation in cross-section that accompanies the development of twist. Calculations require a knowledge of only a limited number of parameters: width, thickness and length of the board, annual ring orientation, distance from the pith, radial, tangential and longitudinal shrinkage coefficients, and the variation of spiral grain angle (SGA) with distance from the pith. The theory is derived from geometrical and physical principles and shows that a complicated interaction between all the above parameters gives rise to twist. A novel coordinate system is used that is better adapted to the fact that spiral grain lies at an angle to the log axis rather than the usual Cartesian or cylindrical polar coordinates. Unlike the finite element models that have recently been developed this theory does not allow for the effect of stresses that develop in a board, although the theory in its present form can easily be extended to incorporate this effect. The advantage of this theory over the more exact finite element models lies in its educational value in that it clearly identifies the mechanisms that are responsible for twist. An associated MS Excel spreadsheet allows rapid analysis of different scenarios such as the effect on twist of changing the shrinkage coefficients, annual ring orientations and moisture content. The theory predicts that for radiata pine 100×50 mm boards maximum twist occurs near the pith, and that the direction of twist reverses when the distance from the pith is greater than about 120 mm. These predictions are shown to agree with experiment. The theory also predicts that if a radiata pine log is live-sawn (through-and-through sawn) there will be two regions in the mature wood where the quartersawn boards will have large negative twist values, but that this can be avoided by cant- or grade-sawing. In contrast, the theory also predicts that if the SGA is constant at 4° from pith to bark, board twist will decrease smoothly from pith to bark for all annual ring orientations without ever becoming negative.     

Flexural and visual characteristics of fibre-managed plantation Eucalyptus globulus timber

ABSTRACT

The main goal of this study was to investigate the visual characteristics, recovery rate, and flexural properties of sawn boards from a fibre-managed plantation Eucalyptus globulus resource as a potential raw material for structural building applications. The impacts of the visual characteristics, strength-reducing features, and variation in basic density and moisture content on the bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of the boards were investigated. The reliabilities of different non-destructive methods in predicting MOE and MOR of the boards were evaluated, including log acoustic wave velocity measurement and numerical modellings. The MOE and MOR of the boards were significantly affected by the slope of grain, percentage of clear wood, and total number of knots in the loading zone of the boards. The normal variation in basic density significantly influenced the MOE of the boards while its effect on the MOR was insignificant. The numerical models developed using the artificial neural network (ANN) showed better accuracies in predicting the MOE and MOR of the boards than traditional multi-regression modelling and log acoustic wave velocity measurement. The ANN models developed in this study showed more than 78.5% and 79.9% success in predicting the adjusted MOE and MOR of the boards, respectively.     

Choosing green sawing dimensions for Norway spruce from stochastic simulations

The high accuracy of log positioning and the stability of saw blades in breakdown machinery in modern sawmills have reduced the need to add margins for sawing variations. Oversize green sawing dimensions are still needed, but mainly to allow for drying shrinkage. This has put a new focus on better adapting green sawing dimensions to the shrinkage behavior of wood. In this study, a method for optimization of green sawing dimensions using stochastic simulation is presented. Normal distributions were generated for planed dry dimensions, kerf width, and target moisture content. The minimum share of boards exceeding the specified dry dimensions was decided, and deformations in boards from all positions in the cross section in a number of logs were simulated. The simulated shrinkage allowance from stochastic simulations was compared to experimental results from an industry test and to finite element results based on material data for Norway spruce. The results showed that the green width of the sawn boards should increase when the number of boards in the center yield increases. The green thickness of boards should be thinner for center boards and outer boards than for inner boards.     

Influence of growth stresses and material properties on distortion of sawn timber — numerical investigation

? The board distortion that occurs during the sawing and the drying process causes major problems in the utilisation of sawn timber. The distortion is highly influenced by parameters such as spiral grain angle, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage, growth stresses and sawing pattern.

? In this study a finite element simulation of log sawing and timber drying was performed to study how these parameters interact to affect board distortion. A total of 81 logs with different material combinations were simulated. From each simulated log four boards with different annual ring orientation were studied.

? The results showed that the elastic modulus, shrinkage coefficient and growth stresses had a large influence on the final bow and spring deformation. After sawing of the log into boards, the release of growth stresses was the main contributor to the bow and spring deformation. For boards with low modulus of elasticity, the bending distortion became larger than for the boards with high modulus of elasticity. The twist deformation was very small after sawing but increased significantly during drying of the boards. The results showed that spiral grain angle and the board location within the log were the main contributors to the twist deformation.

     

Influence of Log Characteristics on Drum Debarking of Pulpwood

Properties of 200 poorly debarked softwood logs were studied in order to examine how different log characteristics affect drum debarking of mixed pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] pulpwood during the summer. The definition of a poorly debarked log and the sampling criterion was that >10 dm² bark remained on the log surface. The average share of poorly debarked logs was 8% and the most frequent log type was breakage logs. The main species among the poorly debarked logs was spruce and the mean wood moisture content was considerably lower than for the pulpwood chips. Many logs were affected by root rot or were damaged by harvesting equipment, resulting in reduced moisture content and, consequently, in increased bark/wood shear strength. Bark from the poorly debarked logs contributed to approximately 68% of the bark content in the chips. By avoiding air-drying of pulpwood, or by sorting pulpwood prior to debarking, the bark content in chips might be substantially reduced, which would improve the purity of the pulp and decrease production costs.     

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.     

Optimal timing of early genetic selection for sawn timber traits in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis>

In breeding Norway spruce, selection for improved growth and survival is performed at age 10–15 years in order to optimize genetic gain per year. We investigated whether a selection based on wood traits such as density and grain angle, measured under bark in the field at the same age would be informative enough with respect to structural quality traits of sawn boards. To achieve this objective, a sawing study was conducted on the butt logs of 401 trees from a 34-year-old Norway spruce progeny trial situated in southern Sweden. Stem discs were excised from the top of the logs and radial profile data of grain angle, and wood density was recorded for specific annual rings. The sawn and dried boards were assessed for structural traits such as twist, board density, bending stiffness (static modulus of elasticity, sMoE) and bending strength (modulus of rupture, MoR). Additive genetic correlations (r_a) between single annual ring density measurements and board density, sMoE and MoR were consistently strong (r_a>?0.7) for annual rings 5–13. Genetic correlations of similar magnitude between grain angle and board twist were estimated for all investigated annual rings (from 2 to around 26 under bark). Consequently, it was found that indirect selection for wood density and grain angle at the tree age 10–16 years would result in more genetic gain per year than selection at later ages. This makes it feasible to perform simultaneous selection of progeny in the field for both growth and wood traits at similar ages.     

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.     

弯曲原木材积测定的实用近似公式探讨

本文采用柱坐标,以椭圆—阿基米德螺线包络组成解析曲线椭圆柱体的弯曲原木的数学模型。定义它为C型弯曲。并以材长和弯曲弓背长度定义,提出了一个实测参数的弯曲原木材积计算公式。定量地解决了弯曲造成原木材积统计时的损失。这种方法和理论,可以解决弯曲原木最佳出材率和弯曲原条最佳截断问题。为制材的数控软件编制提供了理论基础。     

Twist of wood studs: dependence on spiral grain gradient

Distortions due to moisture changes during drying or in service are a major problem for construction timber. Twist, caused mainly by the cylindrical geometry, the orthotropic nature of the wood material, and the tendency of the wood fibers to grow in a spiral around the stem, is often regarded as the most detrimental distortion of sawn timber. There is a need for a basic mechanical understanding of how the twist distortion arises and also a need for a simple formula to predict the amount of twist distortion. In this article such a formula is proposed, and theory and experimental data that indicate the validity of the formula are shown. The first term in the formula is a modification of a traditional expression which is proportional to the mean value of the spiral grain angle in the cross section in question. The second term in the formula is new and is proportional to the gradient of the spiral grain angle, and this term normally counteracts the first term so that a stud with a left-handed spiral grain might achieve a right-handed twist. Linear elastic finite element method (FEM) results and comparisons with experimental data show that the formula works well and that linear FEM calculations exaggerate the twist, which is probably partly due to nonlinear effects. The formula could be used to predict the twist of sawn timber from measured spiral grain angles on the log surface.     

Modelling of adequate pretwist for obtaining straight timber

Abstract

Wood in general and wooden studs in particular are often distorted owing to uneven shrinkage during the drying process in the sawmill. Twist is often the most detrimental of all types of distortion, and it is caused by spiral grain in combination with variations in moisture content. For sawmills, the objective is to produce dried, straight boards, and one method of dealing with boards with excessive spiral grain is to sort them out and then dry them in a pretwisted position to obtain straight boards after drying. A model using the finite element (FE) method for the simulation of drying twist distortions was first calibrated against laboratory experiments in which boards were dried with and without restraints and pretwists. After the calibration, the FE results were compared with industrial test results for boards that were dried without restraints or with restraints with zero pretwist, i.e. straight restraints. The FE model used an elastic–ideally plastic material model to obtain permanent deformations. The calibration was to set the yield stresses so that there was a good match between FE results and results from the laboratory experiments. The comparison between the industrial test results and the FE results showed that the FE model is capable of realistic simulations of drying boards with and without restraints and presumably also pretwists.     

Microclimate and moisture content profile measurements in rain exposed Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) joints

In order to perform service life predictions of rain exposed wood structures, the moisture and temperature conditions in the structure need to be known as well as which degradation that occurs under those exposure conditions. The microclimate (the moisture conditions at the surface) is the boundary condition for moisture transport into the wood and depends on the detail design; joints between two pieces of wood can act as a water trap which give long durations of surface moisture after rain events and hinders drying. This study presents moisture content and microclimate measurements in three types of Norway spruce joints exposed to artificial rain in the laboratory. Both the microclimate (the duration of water on surfaces and in gaps) and the moisture content profiles were monitored. The microclimate was changed by changing the size of the gap between the two boards. The duration of water in the gap depended both on the gap size and on the permeability of the wood (sapwood/heartwood, end grain surface/side grain surface). In many cases, a larger gap width gave shorter durations of high moisture contents since a larger gap gave more favourable drying conditions, but the magnitude of this reduction varied between joint types.     

Contribution of active defense responses in the limitation of fungal spread in the sapwood of living sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) tree

The participation of active defense responses in the limitation of fungal spread in the sapwood of living sugi tree was determined. Isolates ofGuignardia cryptomeriae were inoculated to living trees, fresh logs, frozen and thawed logs and autoclaved logs, and the spread of wood discoloration and fungal hyphae was assessed. In autoclaved logs and freeze-treated logs, wood discoloration and reaction zone formation were not observed, and fungal hyphae of both of virulent and avirulent isolates grew rapidly in the wood. In fresh logs, wood discoloration and the formation of a pale reaction zone and transition zone were observed. Virulent isolates spread rapidly, but the spread of avirulent isolates was inhibited. In living trees, wood discoloration was observed and reaction zones were formed at lesion margins. These results indicated that constitutive defense mechanisms had no effect on the spread of both of virulent and avirulent isolates, and that active defense responses were important in the limitation of spread of fungal hyphae, hence in the limitation of wood discoloration. Further, it appeared that avirulent, but not virulent, races ofG. cryptomeriae were easily inhibited even by weak host responses. This study was presented at 105th and 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society.     

Proportion of above-ground biomass in commercial logs and residues following the harvest of five commercial forest species in Australia

A significant factor influencing the contribution of wood products to carbon (C) storage is the proportion of above-ground tree biomass (AGB) recovered in commercial logs at harvest. This study examined the proportion of AGB in logs and residues at the harvest of radiata pine, cypress pine, blackbutt, spotted gum and messmate. Messmate and spotted gum had the highest variation in stem diameter and height. The average AGB ranged from 2000 to 3000 kg for the hardwoods and 220–1000 kg for the softwoods. Blackbutt had the overall lowest proportion of AGB recovered in commercial logs (45.5%) and radiata pine the highest (65%). The proportion of AGB in the bark of the hardwoods was significantly lower than in the softwoods. The proportion of the AGB in forest residues following harvest ranged from 30 to 55% depending on the species.The proportion of AGB recovered in high quality commercial logs ranged from 15% for spotted gum to 63% for radiata pine. The differences were due to the natural characteristics of the selected species and variations in regional market availability. The highest retention rates of AGB in high quality hardwood commercial logs were obtained for trees with DBH between 500 and 600 mm (messmate and blackbutt) and greater than 600 mm for spotted gum.The mean moisture content of the wood of the different species ranged from 35 to 50%. Messmate and radiata pine logs had the highest moisture content (48 and 50%, respectively).The C concentration of blackbutt, radiata pine and cypress pine was slightly higher than 50%. The softwoods had significantly higher C concentration than the hardwoods. The C concentration between positions (cross-section, sapwood and heartwood) also varied for the different species.The highest proportion of the above-ground C was in the debarked log for all species with the exception of blackbutt.The cellulose concentration of the wood ranged from 56 to 64% for hardwoods and 40–52% for the two softwoods. The lignin concentration of the wood ranged from 16 to 19% for the hardwoods and 25–35% for the two softwoods. The hardwood species could not be distinguished from one another based on the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin concentration, but within the softwood species, cypress pine and radiata pine formed separate clusters.     

Influence of felling season,drying method and within-tree location on the brinell hardness and equilibrium moisture content of wood from 27–35-year-old Betula pendula

The Brinell hardness and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) were measured from thinning-aged silver birch wood. Wood material both from the trees harvested in the first commercial thinning and from trees remaining on site after the thinning was included. The average Brinell hardness was 19.40 MPa. It correlated significantly with the basic density of wood. With respect to the distance from the pith, the Brinell hardness of air-dried wood was higher than that of artificially dried wood. The average EMC of the conditioned (20°C, 65% relative humidity) wood was 12.0%. The EMC of the wood also varied, with the EMC being higher for air-dried wood than for kiln-dried wood. EMC was the highest at a distance of 30–40 mm from the pith, decreasing towards both pith and log surface. Seasonal variation in both the Brinell hardness and the EMC of the wood was found. It was presumed to be a consequence of season-dependent physiological changes in trees.