Este trabalho estuda as propriedades de resistência e rigidez de elementos estruturais roliços de madeira. Para a determinação dos módulos de elasticidade longitudinal (MOE), transversal (G) e de resistência das peças (MOR), são realizados ensaios de flexão estática e de compressão paralela às fibras das espécies Pinus elliottii, Pinus caribaea var. caribaea e Eucalyptus citriodora, em elementos estruturais e em corpos-de-prova de dimensões reduzidas. Os resultados apontam que a partir da relação vão/diâmetro = 18, na flexão estática, é possível desconsiderar as deformações decorrentes do cisalhamento no cálculo de MOE. Indicam também que há diferenças entre MOE na flexão para peças estruturais e para corpos-de-prova de dimensões reduzidas, o mesmo acontecendo para os valores obtidos nos ensaios de compressão paralela para MOE e MOR. Conclui-se que, para as peças estudadas, a relação E/20 não é um bom estimador para G, e que é recomendável o estabelecimento de metodologia de ensaio específica para peças estruturais roliças, sendo sugerido um método ao final deste trabalho. / The aim of this work is the determination of stiffness and strength properties of structural round timber. Static bending and compression parallel to grain tests were carried out to obtain modulus of elasticity (MOE), shear modulus (G) and modulus of rupture (MOR). The results suggest that, in bending test, there is no influence in MOE determination due to shear deflection at span/diameter ratio = 18 or more. There is difference in MOE results for structural round timber and for small clear specimen in bending tests, and the same occurs for MOE and MOR in compression parallel to grain tests. Finally, to this structural round timber, the MOE/20 ratio is not recommended to estimate G, and is commendable the establishment of specific structural round timber test methodology, as suggested in this study.

Este trabalho estuda as propriedades de resistência e rigidez de elementos estruturais roliços de madeira. Para a determinação dos módulos de elasticidade longitudinal (MOE), transversal (G) e de resistência das peças (MOR), são realizados ensaios de flexão estática e de compressão paralela às fibras das espécies Pinus elliottii, Pinus caribaea var. caribaea e Eucalyptus citriodora, em elementos estruturais e em corpos-de-prova de dimensões reduzidas. Os resultados apontam que a partir da relação vão/diâmetro = 18, na flexão estática, é possível desconsiderar as deformações decorrentes do cisalhamento no cálculo de MOE. Indicam também que há diferenças entre MOE na flexão para peças estruturais e para corpos-de-prova de dimensões reduzidas, o mesmo acontecendo para os valores obtidos nos ensaios de compressão paralela para MOE e MOR. Conclui-se que, para as peças estudadas, a relação E/20 não é um bom estimador para G, e que é recomendável o estabelecimento de metodologia de ensaio específica para peças estruturais roliças, sendo sugerido um método ao final deste trabalho. / The aim of this work is the determination of stiffness and strength properties of structural round timber. Static bending and compression parallel to grain tests were carried out to obtain modulus of elasticity (MOE), shear modulus (G) and modulus of rupture (MOR). The results suggest that, in bending test, there is no influence in MOE determination due to shear deflection at span/diameter ratio = 18 or more. There is difference in MOE results for structural round timber and for small clear specimen in bending tests, and the same occurs for MOE and MOR in compression parallel to grain tests. Finally, to this structural round timber, the MOE/20 ratio is not recommended to estimate G, and is commendable the establishment of specific structural round timber test methodology, as suggested in this study.

Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua, is a diffuse-porous hardwood occurring in the southeastern United States. In this observational study, trees from two plantations of sweetgum were evaluated for mechanical properties. The two plantations were similar in age, soil type, competition control, and water availability, but differed in nutrient availability, growing season, and growth rate. Three trees representing different crown classes were removed from both plantations. Each tree was sampled for compression strength parallel to grain along the height of the merchantable stem. Oven-dry specific gravity was then calculated for each sample. The results indicate that young sweetgum trees grow weaker wood than mature trees. It was observed that dominant trees were stronger and denser than other trees. Denser wood was formed in the plantation with the shortest growing season and smallest growth rate. Three of six trees showed significant correlations of strength and stiffness with height in the tree. / Master of Science

Several researchers have concluded that there is little or no relationship between specific gravity and ring width or growth rate in yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). Because most mechanical properties of wood are also closely related to specific gravity, it would thus be of interest to learn how minimum suppression and maximum release years' evidence that can be extracted from radial growth patterns based on a modified radial growth averaging (RGA) technique's influence the compression parallel to grain strength and specific gravity of wood. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of growth suppression and release on ultimate crushing stress and specific gravity for small-sized yellow-poplar specimens. Additionally, the relationship between specific gravity and ultimate crushing stress is investigated. Twenty-three yellow-poplar cores were examined for their growth ring widths. Minimum suppression and maximum release years were identified based on the modified RGA criteria method. From each increment core, three 1 Ã 1 Ã 4 mm specimens from both minimum suppression and maximum release years were tested for their ultimate crushing stresses using a micro-mechanical test system. The specific gravity of each specimen was also recorded. These data were analyzed using a paired samples t test and a simple linear regression. The results indicate that the mean ultimate crushing stress and specific gravity of maximum release years were significantly higher than that of minimum suppression years. Furthermore, the ultimate crushing stress was linearly related to the specific gravity of the specimens. / Master of Science