Vibrational properties of heat-treated green wood

To investigate the influence of water on heat treatment, green wood was heat-treated. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) with about 60% moisture content (MC) was used. Young's modulus and loss tangent were measured by the free-free flexural vibration test. The specimens were heated in nitrogen at 160°C for 0.5h. The results were as follows. (1) Recognizing that the effects of heat treatment are mild and that the same specimens cannot be used for both heat treatment and as controls, it was necessary to investigate the effects of the heat treatment based on the variations of properties in the whole of the test lumber. (2) Young's modulus increased and the loss tangent decreased due to heat treatment. When the vibrational properties were measured at various MCs, the MCs at the maximum value of Young's modulus and the minimum value of the loss tangent were lower in heat-treated specimens than in controls. The effects of heat treatment in green wood were similar to those in air-dried wood. (3) The loss tangents of heat-treated specimens were smaller than those of controls at about 0% MC but were larger than those of controls at about 10% MC. We thought that this resulted from the decreased MC at the minimum loss tangent after the heat treatment mentioned above. (4) The properties measured at several MCs were more useful than those at only one moisture content for investigating the effects of heat treatment.This study was presented in part at the 46th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kumamoto, April 3–5, 1996; and at the 47th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kochi, April 3–5, 1997     

Effect of moisture content on the ultrasonic acoustic properties of wood

We determined the ultrasonic velocity and en-ergy attenuation value of three tree species (basswood, elm, and fir) 1 per tree in different moisture content levels, using RSM-SY5 ultrasonic testing inst...     

木材含水率测定方法的比较研究

为修订国家标准“CB1931—80木材含水率测定方法”提供依据,本文对含树脂和挥发性物质较多的马尾松等5种木材,采用烘干法、真空干燥法和蒸馏法进行含水率测定的比较。结果表明,烘干法简便实用,但所测得的含水率结果比真空干燥法和蒸馏法为高,如果试样含有较多的挥发性物质,应用烘干法测定含水率误差偏大时,可采用真空干燥法。     

Effects of moisture content and specific gravity on static bending properties and hardness of six wood species

This study was designed to investigate the effects of moisture content (MC) and specific gravity (SG) on the bending strength and hardness of six wood species including Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), red meranti (Shorea spp.), Selangan batu (Shorea spp.), and red oak (Quercus spp.). The experimental results are summarized as follows: Effects of MC and SG on the strength (MOR), stiffness (MOE), and hardness (H _B) could be represented by a multiregression formulas. A negative correlation existed between these properties and MC, whereas a postive correlation showed between them and the SG. The changing rate of these properties induced by 1% MC changes varied with the wood species: 2.6% change in MOR was observed in Japanese cedar, China fir, western hemlock, red meranti, and Selangan batu; and 3.9% was found in red oak. For MOE, a 0.58% change was observed in Japanese cedar, China fir, and red meranti; western hemlock and Selangan batu exhibited 1.2% and red oak 2.5%. For hardness, a 1.1% change was observed in Japanese cedar, western hemlock, and red oak; red meranti and China fir exhibited 3.3%; and Selangan batu 1.8%.A part of this report was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Shizuoka, Japan, April 3-5, 1998     

Effect of moisture content on the longitudinal tensile creep behavior of wood

In our previous report, we investigated the effect of the microfibril angle (MFA) in the middle layer of the secondary wall (S₂) on the longitudinal creep behavior of a thin homogeneous earlywood specimen sugi. In the present study, we investigated the role of moisture on the tensile creep behavior of wood. We discuss the creep behavior of the wood cell wall from the viewpoint of the composite structure of the cell wall and the properties of the constituent materials. A microtomed thin specimen of earlywood of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) was used for the longitudinal tensile creep test. Creep tests were conducted at three moisture stages (oven-dry, air-dry, fiber saturation point) over a broad range of MFA. Results showed that the longitudinal tensile creep behavior was highly dependent on both the moisture content and the MFA. With a small MFA, the variation in the creep function among the three moisture states was very small. For a large MFA, the variation in the creep function was larger. At low moisture contents, the magnitude of the creep function was very small, while at high moisture content, it was very large except for the case of specimens with very small MFA. Those results show that the longitudinal tensile creep behavior was directly affected by the fine composite structure and the internal properties of the cell wall constituents.     

Evaluation of moisture content distribution in wood by soft X-ray imaging

A technique for nondestructive evaluation of moisture content distribution in Japanese cedar (sugi) during drying using a newly developed soft X-ray digital microscope was investigated. Radial, tangential, and cross-sectional samples measuring 100 × 100 × 10 mm were cut from green sugi wood. Each sample was dried in several steps in an oven and upon completion of each step, the mass was recorded and a soft X-ray image was taken. The relationship between moisture content and the average grayscale value of the soft X-ray image at each step was linear. In addition, the linear regressions overlapped each other regardless of the sample sections. These results showed that soft X-ray images could accurately estimate the moisture content. Applying this relationship to a small section of each sample, the moisture content distribution was estimated from the image differential between the soft X-ray pictures obtained from the sample in question and the same sample in the oven-dried condition. Moisture content profi les for 10-mm-wide parts at the centers of the samples were also obtained. The shapes of the profiles supported the evaluation method used in this study. Part of this work was presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima, August 2007     

In situ measurement of wood moisture content in high-temperature steam

Changes in moisture content of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood during high-temperature saturated and superheated steam treatments were investigated. A system for in situ weighing of specimens was used, and the reduction of wood substance by heating was taken into consideration. At 160°C the loss of wood substance due to heating was significant and influenced the moisture content values, but it was almost negligible at 120°C. Treatment time and temperature affected the moisture content in saturated steam but not in superheated steam. Excess water in a saturated closed system appears to promote the decomposition of wood and condensation in or on specimens.Parts of this work was presented at the 49th, 50th, and 52nd Annual Meetings of the Japan Wood Research Society in Tokyo, April 1999; Kyoto, April 2000; and Gifu, April 2002     

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WOOD MOISTURE CONTENT ON PERMEABILITY IN THE HYGROSCOPIC RANGE

Woodpermeabilityhascloserrelationshipwiththemanyfiledsofwoodworkingandusing,woodfluidpermeabi1-ityisrelatedtoinprocessingsuchaswooddrying;fireretartenttreatmen;pup1ingandpaper;woodpreservation.Theflowoffluidinwoodincludestwokindsoftransportprocess.Oneispenetrationfromwoodoutsidetoinside,suchas'woodpreservationandfireretartenttreatment,anotherisdiffusionfromwoodinsidetooutside'suchaswooddrying,Infact,woodpermeabilityinfulenceddirectlythequalityofwoodwaterheattreatment,Forthisreasontheresearchin…     

Effect of moisture content of a wood matrix on a small-scale biodegradation system for organic solid waste

The optimum working moisture content of a wood matrix for the garbage automatic decomposer-extinguisher (GADE) machine was investigated using a small-scale degradation reactor. A formula feed for rabbits was used as the model waste. The degradation experiment was conducted under controlled conditions such as moisture content, environmental temperature, and airflow rate. The degradation rate was estimated precisely from weight loss and the CO₂ evolution rate. The degradation rate were nearly constant at a moisture content of 30%–80% on a-wet-weight basis. Microorganisms from the environment propagated in the reactor with no inoculums added. The number of microorganisms showed a trend similar to that of the degradation rate. The microorganism community changed according to the moisture content of the matrix and were considered to attain a constant degradation rate at a wide range of moisture content of a matrix.Part of this report was presented at the 49th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Effect of moisture content of members on mechanical properties of timber joints

To investigate the effect of moisture content (MC) of members on the mechanical properties of timber joints, bending tests of precut joints and shear tests of dowel-type joints were carried out using timbers of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) with three moisture conditions: green, kiln-dried with a MC target of 15%, and over-kiln-dried with a MC target of 5%. For the bending test, timbers were processed with a precut processing machine into “koshikake-ari” (a kind of dovetail joint) and “koshikake-kama” (a kind of mortise and tenon joint). A pair of members was jointed together without mechanical fasteners. Bolts (diameter = 12 mm) and nails (diameter = 2.45 mm) were used as dowels in the shear test. Bolted joints were constructed with one bolt and two metal side plates. Two nails and two metal side plates were used for the nailed joint. For precut joints, no clear effect of MC was recognized on maximum moment and initial stiffness. The maximum strength of mechanical joints assembled with kiln-dried wood was changed by the degree of drying. Stiffness of the joints assembled with kiln-dried specimens was larger than that of the joints assembled with green specimens.Part of this study was presented at the 7th International IUFRO Wood Drying Conference, Tsukuba, July 2001     

New monitoring concept of moisture content distribution in wood during RF/vacuum drying

A new method for monitoring moisture content during radio-frequency (RF)/vacuum drying was developed by measurement of temperature and pressure in wood. Temperature and pressure inside the wood were measured simultaneously during RF/vacuum drying at the same point. The relative humidity (RH) and moisture content (MC) below the fiber saturation point (FSP) were calculated based on temperature and pressure, and the relationship between the temperature, RH, and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) at the measurement point. When the moisture content was below the FSP, the calculated MC was slightly greater than the value given by oven drying. The absolute error was within 0.8% near the open cross side, and was within 1.8% at another measurement point. Thus, we concluded that it was practicable to monitor the moisture content below the FSP according to the temperature and pressure inside the wood. Part of this study was presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Chugoku Shikoku Branch of the Japan Wood Research Society, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan, September 2003     

Impact of moisture content on dynamic mechanical properties and transition temperatures of wood

The dynamic shear modulus and the loss modulus of Betula alba, Ulmus parvifolia, Quercus robur, Acer platanoides, Tilia cordata, Fraxinus excelsior and Pinus sylvestris wood were measured using an inverted torsion pendulum within a wide temperature range. The glass transition temperature of the lignin–carbohydrate complex and the decomposition temperature of the wood cellulose were estimated. The temperature band from 170°C to 240°С shows the transition of the lignin–cellulose complex from the glassy to the rubbery state. Mechanical properties of different types of wood are affected by moisture and anatomical differences, but glass transition and decomposition temperatures are the same. More than 5% of moisture in the wood stored at normal conditions were found. After drying, the increase of dynamic shear modulus of wood over the entire region of the glassy state was observed. The intensity of maximum peak of dynamic loss modulus is also increased due to activation of the segmental motion of macromolecules of the ligno-carbon complex. The decomposition temperature of the cellulose crystallites was unchanged for specimens containing moisture and for dried specimens.     

Blackening of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) heartwood in relation to metal content and moisture content

Blackening in heartwood was investigated in relation to the metal contents and the moisture content in xylem of about 50-year-old seedling sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) planted in a steeply sloped stand in Okutama district (Itsukaichi Tokyo), where blackened heartwood is frequently found. The potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese contents were examined in the variously blackened heartwood and normal heartwood by an atomic absorption method. It was recognized that potassium increased relative to the degree of the blackening of heartwood, resulting in a significant correlation between them. This finding implies that an increase in potassium has an important role in the blackening of heartwood. Moisture content has a tendency to increase in the blackened heartwood, so it seems that the large accumulation of potassium is associated with the high moisture content in heartwood.This work was presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society at Morioka, August 1993     

Improved methodology of measuring moisture content of wood by a vibrational technique

Abstract

A method of measuring moisture content of wood is introduced. This method uses a vibrational technique. A shaker driven by swept sine signals was used for the accurate generation of vibration. A cylindrical wood sample was used to verify the method of measuring the moisture content. Resonance frequencies of the wood sample decreased as its moisture content increased. An experiment was performed by measuring the vibration of a tree to explore the feasibility of applying the method to the measurement of the moisture content of trees. The circumferential mode, which is independent of the height of a tree, was identified using a white oak tree.     

Improved methodology of measuring moisture content of wood by a vibrational technique

A method of measuring moisture content of wood is introduced. This method uses a vibrational technique. A shaker driven by swept sine signals was used for the accurate generation of vibration. A cylindrical wood sample was used to verify the method of measuring the moisture content. Resonance frequencies of the wood sample decreased as its moisture content increased. An experiment was performed by measuring the vibration of a tree to explore the feasibility of applying the method to the measurement of the moisture content of trees. The circumferential mode, which is independent of the height of a tree, was identified using a white oak tree.     

Working mechanism of adsorbed water on the vibrational properties of wood impregnated with extractives of pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng.)

To clarify the lowering mechanism of loss tangen (tan) of sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) wood impregnated with extractives of pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng. synCaesalpinia echinata Lam.), we examined the vibrational properties of the impregnated wood in relation to the adsorbed water. The results obtained were as follows: (1) The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of impregnated sitka spruce decreased to some extent compared with untreated wood. (2) Frequency dependencies of tan a about 400–8000Hz showed that impregnated wood has much lower tan than untreated wood at around 9% mois ture content (MC), except for the high-frequency region. At high relative humidity, impregnated wood has a minimum tan (at around 4000Hz); and at other frequency ranges the tan of impregnated wood did not differ considerably from that of untreated wood. (3) The apparent activation energy of the mechanical relaxation process (E) concerned with adsorbed water molecules was higher for impregnated specimens than for untreated ones at moderately high relative humidity, whereas at high relative humidity the difference was not observed. Based on these results, it is thought that the tan of impregnated wood decreased at low rela tive humidity because of the formation of direct hydrogen bonds between impregnated extractives and wood components. However, when the specimen is at higher relativePart of this work was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998 humidity, the formation of direct hydrogen bonds are disturbed by the existence of a large number of water molecules, and some extractives act as a plasticizer.     

Theory to estimate the stress due to moisture in wood using a transmission-type microwave moisture meter

 In recent years a microwave transmission-type moisture meter has been developed in Japan. Its purpose is to measure the average moisture content of thick woods. Since its development I have realized that there is a negative correlation between the moisture content of wood and the power voltage of the meter. This realization suggests that an invisible stress has an effect on the attenuation constant of the wood. The presence of such a stress in the wood could easily be proven by the slicing technique. In this article a theory is presented to explain further the effect of this stress on the attenuation constant. The theory was applied to softwood specimens in various states of moisture. It was concluded that the calculated strain distributions of the various specimens approximated those of the experimental results. Thus, the proposed theory presented herein has validity or adaptability with regard to qualitatively understanding the stress. Future research efforts would also be expected to detect the stress in wood due to moisture. Received: November 30, 2001 / Accepted: March 18, 2002 Acknowledgments The author thanks Mr. K. Hayashida and Mr. T. Taniguchi (former students of Fukui University of Technology) for their assistance in the experiment. The author also thanks Dr. Okada of the Kawasaki Kiko Co. and Prof. Dr. Sobue of Shizuoka University for their valuable discussions and suggestions. Part of this report was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Central District of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, September 2000 Correspondence to:T. Takemura     

Effect of steam pretreatment on wood moisture content and characteristics of vacuum drying

The effects of high temperature steam pretreatment on the change in wood moisture content (MC) and characteristics of vacuum drying were investigated in this study. Poplar and manchurian walnut woods were pretreated with high temperature steam at 100°C and 140°C, prior to vacuum drying. A comparison of the characteristics of vacuum drying between steam pretreated wood and untreated wood was carried out. The results show that during steam pretreatment, the MC of wood decreased within a few hours. The reduction of MC varied with the temperature; the higher the temperature, the faster the MC dropped. During the vacuum drying stage, the rates of drying of pretreated samples were higher than those of untreated samples when MC was below the fiber saturation point. Furthermore, the total drying time of samples treated at a steam temperature of 140°C was lower than that of untreated samples. Therefore, a vacuum procedure after steam pretreatment can effectively shorten the drying time when drying wood.     

木片料床透气率与含水率和密度的关系

通过实验，对杨木，桦木，椴木和榆木四种树种的木片散堆料床，在不同含水率及堆密度条件下的透气率作了研究。实验研究结果表明，当绝干密度不变时，木片料床的透气率随木片含水率的增大而减小。含水率在３０％－８０％范围内，透气率随含水率的变化比较平缓。当含水率从绝干增至１０％时，木片料床的透气率急剧减小，说明木片从绝干至含水率略有长高时，含水率对木片料床透气率的影响极为显著。木片的含水率不变，透气率随木片料床     

Feeding activities of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) as affected by moisture content of wood

The relationship between the moisture content (MC) of wood blocks and the feeding activities of two Japanese subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe), was investigated with two choice tests. When three wood blocks with low MC (6%–12%), middle MC (79%–103%), and high MC (140%–182%) were exposed to workers of C. formosanus and R. speratus in a choice test, the feeding preferences were found in the middle MC blocks for C. formosanus, and the middle and high MC blocks for R. speratus, although wood blocks of low MC were also attacked. In a second choice test, wood blocks consisting of five pieces with water-impregnated (MC: 133%–191%) top, middle, or bottom piece were exposed to workers of both species. Higher consumptions were generally obtained in water-impregnated wood pieces and bottom pieces.