Diss. Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2000.

Diss. Luleå : Luleå univ. / Härtill 9 uppsatser.

Licentiatavhandling (sammanfattning) Luleå : Luleå tekniska univ., 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Lic.-avh. Luleå : Luleå tekniska univ., 2005. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

No description available.

This work is made up of three parts. Part one looks to establish design values for two types of three ply access mats from the U.S. South and Midwest. The mats were subject to 3 point bending tests to determine strength and stiffness values. Values for MOE (Modulus of Elasticity) and MOR (Modulus of Rupture) are reported by region and mat design. Part two tested five species groups of hardwoods for wear resistance and hardness. These species groups include white oak, red oak, ash, sweetgum and hickory. These tests for wear were performed on a Navy-Type Wear Tester according to ASTM D2394-17. Hardness specimens were tested with the Janka method according to ASTM D143-14. The third and final part looks at the impact of thermomechanical densification on rate of wear in five species groups of hardwood. The species groups were white oak, red oak, ash, sweetgum and hickory. Samples were pressed at 1000psi at temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to plasticize the wood and densify it at the same time. These samples were then tested on the Navy-Type Wear Tester to determine whether densification had an impact on wear resistance.

Previous studies on wood instability have identified some wood basic properties which influence the timber distortion and shape changes while the wood is losing or gaining moisture. These properties include wood anisotropic shrinkage, equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in both desorption and adsorption, fibre saturation point (FSP) and water diffusion coefficient. This study investigated the stability related wood properties and their variations within the stems of the New Zealand grown radiata pine trees. The basic density, EMC and shrinkage for the earlywood and the latewood were also experimentally determined. In taking into account these properties and their variations, an analytical model was developed to simulate the wood distortion. The equilibrium moisture content was determined at 30°C and humidity range from 27% to 90%. It was found that the EMC difference between the earlywood and the latewood was negligible. The experimental results also show that the EMC decreases from pith towards the bark over the disc cross section and the trend is most obvious at high humidities (70-90%). Along the tree height, the EMC decreases from ground towards the top of the stem. The tangential shrinkage results were highly variable but, in general, the latewood has higher values than the earlywood. The opposite trend was found for the longitudinal shrinkage, higher values for the earlywood than the latewood. In the tree height direction, the tangential shrinkage was found to decrease with the tree height. This follows the same trend as the microfibril angle which in general also decreases with the tree height. The fibre saturation point (FSP) was determined from the tangential shrinkage values at different equilibrium moisture contents. These were taken as the intersection point of the tangential shrinkage line with the moisture content axis. The experimental results have revealed a trend that the FSP decreases from the pith towards the bark and also decreases with the tree height. Similar behaviour was found for the tangential and longitudinal swelling during the adsorption. The moisture transport within radiata pine was investigated based on the diffusion theory under transient and isothermal condition of 30°C. The moisture dependant diffusion coefficient was derived from the experimental data using the inverse analysis method. The surface emission coefficient was determined by taking into account the variable surface moisture content, wood density and the ambient conditions. In the experiments, 138 samples in total (46 samples for each XIV of the longitudinal, tangential and radial directions) were used and their diffusion coefficients were determined for both the adsorption and the desorption with moisture content ranging from 6% to 22%. The derived diffusion coefficients are comparable with the reported data in the literature. Further investigation of the wood type influence on the diffusion coefficient revealed that compression wood has the lowest diffusion coefficients in the three directions (longitudinal, tangential and radial) both in the desorption and in the adsorption. In addition, the moisture content has the least influence on the diffusion coefficient in the compression wood. Investigation on the effects of the wood density has shown that in general, the diffusion coefficient decreases with increasing wood density although the correlations are only significant for the longitudinal direction in desorption. An analytical model for the simulation of the wood twist was developed which is based on the geometry and geometrical changes of the grains aligning non parallel to the pith. A board consists of numerous such grains which change the length and shape with moisture content change. The model predictions confirm that the grain angle, the tangential and longitudinal shrinkage and the conical angle all affect the development of the board twist. However, the discrepancies between the model prediction and the experimental data are significant, partly due to the experimental uncertainties and partly due to the model errors. In this study, sound velocity in the longitudinal direction was measured for the test samples used in the shrinkage experiments. The results revealed that the correlations between the sound velocity and the volumetric shrinkage at oven dry are significant. Based on this finding, the relationship between the tangential shrinkage and the radial shrinkage, the tangential shrinkage can be predicted from the sound velocity measurements. As the tangential shrinkage has significant influence on the wood distortion, this method can be used to segregate logs which may be prone to wood distortion.

The objectives of this study were to investigate stability related basic wood properties and to determine stability performance of New Zealand grown Douglas-fir and those of radiata pine wood. In this study, nine 60-year old Douglas-fir trees and thirteen 26-year old radiata pine trees were selected from forests in Canterbury region. From these trees, 36 discs of 200 mm thick (13 for Douglas-fir and 23 for radiata pine) and 388 boards with dimensions of 100mm x 50mm x 4.8m (210 fro Douglas-fir and 178 fr radiata pine) were prepared. From the prepared discs, 515 specimens (204 for Douglas-fi and 211 for radiata pine) were prepared for green moisture content (MC) and basic density measurements, The same total number of 515 specimens (205 for Douglas-fir and 210 for radiata pine) were also prepared for shrinkage measurements. From the green MC specimens, green weight, volume and oven-dry weight were measured while for the shrinkage specimens, dimensions and weights were measured at equilibrium for nine humidity conditions. These data were used to analyse basic wood properties and moisture uptake characteristics for both Douglas-fir and radiata pine. Variation of shrinkage within a tree and between trees was also studied for both species. After this, selected specimens (36 for Doulas-fir and 36 for radiata pine) were further tested in water immersion for water repellence examination. The 388 full size boards (100mmx50mmx4.8m) were used for studies on distortion and acoustic properties at a sawmill (Southland Timber Ltd.). Dimensions, weights and acoustic velocity were measured from each board before and after drying. These data were used to analyse distortion and strength characteristics for both Douglas-fir and radiata pine. Comparison of the relative stability of full sized Douglas-fir and radiata pine structural timber was investigated in this study. The results from small sample study confirmed that Douglas-fir is much stronger, has lower longitudinal shrinkage and lower gradient in corewood which can be used to explain the better dimensional stability of Douglas-fir than radiate pine although there is significant variability in the shrinkage for both Douglas-fir and radiate pine. In water immersion tests, Douglas-fir has better water repellency property than radiata pine over 2000 hours period during water immersion. Under the same commercial practice in sawing and kiln drying, it is clearly shown that Douglas-fir timbers were straighter with lower levels of distortion than radiata pine at similar final moisture content. It is also interesting to note that the final moisture content in a range of 13-18% for Douglas-fir did not have significant impact on timber distortion but a negative trend was observed for radiata pine with MC in a range of 9 -14%. Tree heights showed clear influence on twist for radiata pine timbers, but it was not clearly observed from Douglas-fir timbers. Corewood proportion is found to have negative impact on the timber distortion for both Douglas-fir and radiata pine. Douglas-fir timbers showed much higher average acoustic MOE value than radiata pine timbers at similar final moisture content. Because of the various proportion of corewood, the shrinkage varied greatly along the stem height and along the disc radius direction for the two species. This variation caused the difference of distortion between corewood, outerwood and transition wood, but the difference between butt log, middle log and top log is inconsistent. Therefore, it is recommended that the corewood proportion to be a criterion for the timber pre-sorting. Variation of stability performance between trees was also found to be significant for the two species, and methods need to be developed for log sorting as well to reduce the timber distortion degradation. Non-destructive testing method such as acoustic tool may be offered to be a new approach for sorting logs, but it is also necessary to be aware of the significant difference between species. The outcome from this project includes better understanding of Douglas-fir for structural applications. The conclusion can be drawn that Douglas-fir has superior quality for its strength, durability and moisture resistance. Douglas-fir is also claimed to have uniform properties and thus to be more stable compared to radiata pine. Douglas-fir timbers showed much higher acoustic MOE value than radiate pine timbers as similar final moisture content.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study had the objective of evaluating the effect of planting spacing on the growth, yield and wood quality of Pinus taeda L. Nine different spacing were analyzed, with six trees sampled per treatment, totalizing 54 trees. The experiment was localized in the municipality of Otacílio Costa, Santa Catarina, where there were installed a random block design, with three repetitions. The trees were selected using the Assmann dominant and average diameter criteria. These trees were denominated dominant and average trees, respectively. The trees were cut down and measured according to the Smalian method. Discs of the trees to be used in trunk analysis and basic density determination were taken in the heights 0,1, 1,30, 3,30 m and then every meter up to the total height. The disc at DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) was used to determine radial basic density variation and anatomical studies of tracheid and its potential use as pulp and paper. One log of the trunk was taken between the position of the DBH and 3,30 m to determine static bending proprieties. The results showed that the dominant height was not influenced by planting spacing indicating site homogeneity, while average trees were significantly affect by planting spacing. It was possible the formation of groups to describe growth in height, one with reduced spacing and another with average to large, behavior that may be attributed to competition among trees that started before natural mortality took place and tendency to premature growth stagnation growth in diameter of average trees was more influenced than the dominant ones where the pattern of growth in diameter was in accordance with the spacing available per tree; average trees did not present a clear tendency of growth in diameter. The individual volume of the trees was influenced by the spacing. The demarcation age of juvenile and mature wood was best determined using tracheid length. The results from the 18 trees analysed indicate that there were no significant differences among spacing on the demarcation age estimated as 11 to 13 years. Tree basic density was not influenced by the spacing; axial variation of basic density, however, decreases with the increasing height of the tree, both for dominant and average trees; among average trees occurred influence of spacing between planting lines. The basic density in the radial direction of the dominant trees increased with age, influenced by spacing within plants in the planting line. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and rupture (MOR) of dominant trees increased in the pith to bark direction and with basic density. The MOE and the MOR were not influenced by spacing. / Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do espaçamento no crescimento, na produção e na qualidade da madeira de Pinus taeda L. Foram analisados nove diferentes espaçamentos (1,5 x 1,0; 1,5 x 2,0; 1,5 x 3,0; 2,0 x 1,0; 2,0 x 2,0; 2,0 x 3,0; 2,5 x 1,0; 2,5 x 2,0 e 2,5 x 3,0 metros), tendo sido amostradas seis árvores por tratamento totalizando 54. O experimento foi instalado em Otacílio Costa, Santa Catarina. As árvores foram selecionadas, em cada tratamento, com base no diâmetro dominante de Assmann, sendo denominadas de árvores dominantes e do extrato médio, respectivamente. Após o abate, estas foram medidas e cubadas pelo método de Smalian. Em seguida, foram retirados discos nas posições 0,10, 1,30, 3,30 m e de metro em metro até a altura total para análise de tronco e massa específica. Do DAP (diâmetro à altura do peito) foi destinado à determinação da variação da massa específica no sentido radial, das características anatômicas da madeira nos diferentes anéis de crescimento, as relações de interesse entre as dimensões dos traqueóides para indicação do potencial de celulose e papel. No fuste foi selecionada uma tora localizada entre as posições do DAP e 3,30 m para determinação das propriedades de flexão estática. A altura dominante não foi influenciada pelos espaçamentos indicando homogeneidade do sítio; já as árvores do extrato médio foram influenciadas, sendo possível a formação de grupos para descrever o crescimento em altura, um com espaçamentos muito reduzidos e outro com os espaçamentos médios a amplos, comportamento este que pode estar associado à competição entre plantas ter se estabelecido antes da taxa de mortalidade natural nos menores espaçamentos, o que pode ter levado a uma estagnação prematura do crescimento. No crescimento em diâmetro os espaçamentos influenciaram mais nas árvores do extrato médio do que nas dominantes, sendo que nestas o padrão de crescimento se comportou de acordo com o espaço disponível por planta, no caso das do extrato médio não se observou uma tendência clara. O volume individual das árvores também foi influenciado pelo espaçamento. A idade de transição do lenho juvenil para adulto foi melhor determinada pelo comprimento de traqueóides. Os resultados das 18 árvores analisadas anatomicamente indicaram que não houve diferença significativa entre os espaçamentos, sendo a idade de transição estimada entre 11 e 13 anos. A massa específica básica ponderada não foi influenciada pelos espaçamentos. Já a variação axial da massa específica básica foi decrescente com altura da árvore tanto para as dominantes como para as do extrato médio, além de ser influenciada pelo espaçamento na entre linha. A massa específica básica no sentido radial para as árvores dominantes foi crescente com a idade, com influencia da distância na entre linha. O módulo de elasticidade e ruptura para as árvores dominantes aumenta no sentido medula casca e com o aumento da massa específica básica, sendo que o comportamento tanto para MOE como do MOR não foi influenciado pelos espaçamentos.

Sudan is endowed with a great diversity of tree species; nevertheless the utilization of wood resources has traditionally concentrated on a few species only. Despite of the richness of Sudan in most of basic factors required to establish forest based industries it still almost entirely dependent on imports to satisfy its needs of the products of such industries. There is an urgent need to assess the suitability of the local fibrous raw materials for industrial utilization, this would not only reduce imports, but they would also provide an economic incentive to the forestry and industrial sectors of Sudan. Sudan has a wide variation of climatic zones, thus; great variations are expected in the anatomical and physical properties between and within species grown in each zone. This variation needs to be fully explored in order to suggest best uses for the species. The present study was carried out to assess the suitability of Acacia seyal var. seyal Del and Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile wood for pulp and paper making (PPM) and flooring industry, as well as to investigate the effect of rainfall zones on selected wood properties. For this purpose, a total of thirty trees per species were collected from four states in Sudan, namely: Blue Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan and White Nile. The study areas located in two precipitation zones. Zone one with 273 mm mean annual rainfall, and zone two with 701 mm mean annual rainfall. Wood samples in form of disc were obtained from two heights within each tree, which are 10 % and 90 % from the tree merchantable height. Anatomical, physical and mechanical investigations were conducted in order to test the wood properties of the study species. The studied anatomical properties were: fibre and vessel diameter, lumen diameter and wall thickness. In addition to fibre length and three fibre derived values, namely: flexibility coefficient, Runkel ratio and slenderness ratio. The trend of fiber length from pith to bark was determined. The anatomical composition was described. Wood density was investigated as a main physical property. Basic density as well as air dry density were measured in the current study. Additionally, the density was measured using X-ray densitometry method in order to assess its suitability as a valid tool for the study species density determination. The trend of wood basic density from pith to bark was also determined. Brinell hardness strength was measured in the transverse and radial sections. According to the study results, the fibre length of both species considered as medium (900 -1600 μm). However, Acacia seyal has longer fiber. Acacia seyal wood density considered heavy (≥ 720 kg/m³) while that of Balanites aegyptiaca is medium (500 - < 720 kg/m³). Depending upon the mean values of hardness strength in transverse as well as radial sections, the wood of both species can be classified as very hard (up to 146 N/mm2 hardness strength). Fibre length and wood density for both species followed the increase trend from the pith to the bark. The X-ray densitometry technique is considered as a valid tool for wood density determination for both species. For each species, some wood properties (in mature wood) were significantly affected by the water stress in the drier zone. For instance, Acacia seyal fibre length was negatively affected, while vessel wall thickness, basic density as well as hardness strength of the radial section were positively affected. In case of Balanites aegyptiaca the following properties were affected: vessel dimensions (negatively) and basic density (positively). However, the water stress did not affect Acacia seyal fibre and vessel diameter and lumen diameter, fiber wall thickness, flexibility coefficient, Runkel ratio and hardness strength in transverse section. Balanites aegyptiaca fibre characteristics and hardness strength did not show any response to water stress as well. In general, the overall wood properties of the study species considered compatible for PPM and flooring industry. However, trees growing in the more humid zone are preferable for both industries, due to their lower wood density and longer fibres in case of Acacia seyal and lower density in case of Balanites aegyptiaca.