Researchers at the Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, have been studying nondestructive techniques for evaluating the strength of wood. This report describes the results of a pilot study on using these techniques to determine the quality of large dimensional lumber cut from switch ties. First, pulse echo and dynamic (transverse vibration) techniques were used to determine the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 12 untreated red oak switch ties. The ties were then sawn into nominal 2 by 8 specimens, which were later resawn into nominal 2 by 4 specimens. Pulse echo and transverse vibration techniques were used to determine the MOE of the individual lumber members. Positive correlations were observed between the pulse echo MOE of a switch tie and the full-length parallel-to-grain pulse echo MOE and dynamic MOE of the lumber sawn from the tie. The accuracy of the prediction of lumber MOE decreased with a reduction in the size of the members; the greater the number of members cut from the tie, the less accurate the prediction. Strong relationships were seen between pulse echo and dynamic MOE of both green and dry lumber. (Author).
Pages:
12
Report Date:
AUG 1995
Report Number:
D143933
Report Unavailable
This title is unavailable from Storming Media. We do not know when it might be available, if at all. We list the report on our site for bibliographic completeness, to help our users know what other work has been performed in this field. Please note that as with all titles on this site, we do not have contact information for any of the authors. Nor can we give any suggestions on how one might obtain this report.
Email This Abstract
