Impact of cyclic compressive loading and moisture content on the mechanical behavior of Aucoumea Klaineana Pierre

The mechanical behavior of Aucoumea Klaineana Pierre (AKP) under progressive static and cyclic compressive loading at various moisture content (MC) stages is investigated herein. This tropical species, also called Okume, originates from the Congo Basin, particularly Gabon. The experimental device used is composed of an electronic testing machine, a system yielding the corresponding MC, and AKP wood samples. In all, 15 AKP samples were loaded in statics, at different MC levels, until the first cracks led to characterizing the mechanical behavior of the species in static compression along the longitudinal direction. Next, seven samples of AKP were gradually loaded at distinct MC values, with five under cyclic longitudinal compression. Results show that under a static longitudinal compressive loading, the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of AKP decreases as sample MC increases. For the cyclic compressive loading after the first cycle, sample MOE increases with both the intensity and number of loading cycles as well as with the permanent deformation of each cycle. Moreover, it can be observed that within the plasticity domain, the impact of MC variation on the mechanical behavior of AKP is negligible.