Micromechanics of creep and relaxation of wood. A review COST Action E35 2004-2008: Wood machining - micromechanics and fracture

Wood, like all polymeric materials, shows viscoelastic behaviour. The time dependent behaviour of wood depends on material anisotropy, temperature, moisture and stresses. To predict the behaviour of wood, numerous mathematical models have been developed largely relying on experimental results. In this paper, time dependent viscoelastic behaviour of wood is reviewed under constant and cyclic climatic conditions, separately. More emphasis is given on results obtained in recent years on the behaviour of thin wood tissues, single fibres, thermo-viscoelasticity of wood, influence of hemicelluloses and the modelling of the effect of transient moisture at the molecular level on the mechanical respons

Fracture behaviour of wood and its composites. A review COST Action E35 2004-2008: Wood machining - micromechanics and fracture

Fracturing of wood and its composites is a process influenced by many parameters, on the one hand coming from the structure and properties of wood itself, and on the other from influences from outside, such as loading mode, velocity of deformation, moisture, temperature, etc. Both types of parameters may be investigated experimentally at different levels of magnification, which allows a better understanding of the mechanisms of fracturing. Fracture mechanical methods serve to quantify the fracture process of wood and wood composites with different deformation and fracturing features. Since wood machining is mainly dominated by the fracture properties of wood, knowledge of the different relevant mechanisms is essential. Parameters that influence the fracture process, such as wood density, orientation, loading mode, strain rate and moisture are discussed in the light of results obtained during recent years. Based on this, refined modelling of the different processes becomes possibl

Fracture characterisation of yew (Taxus baccata L.) and spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) in the radial-tangential and tangential-radial crack propagation system by a micro wedge splitting test

Common yew (Taxus baccata L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) are gymnosperm species that differ in their microscopic structure and mechanical characteristics. Compared to spruce, the density of yew wood is high, but the modulus of elasticity is low when loaded parallel to the grain. Information about the transverse load direction is largely lacking. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the elastic and fracture mechanical behaviour of both wood species in the radial-tangential plane (crack opening mode I). For this purpose, micro wedge splitting tests were performed. Characteristic elastic and fracture parameters (initial slope, critical load, specific fracture energy) were determined. After the tests, the fracture surfaces were evaluated using microscopic methods. The results reveal clear differences between the species regarding microscopic fracture phenomena and prove that yew wood was significantly stiffer than spruce wood. We suggest that the density and the cell geometry are predominantly responsible for both elasticity and failure behaviour in the transverse directio

Fracture Energy Of Spruce Wood After Different Drying Procedures

The effects of different wood drying procedures, of felling time (winter and summer), and of compass orientation within one tree (north and south side) on the fracture properties of spruce wood have been studied. A most useful parameter to characterize the fracture behavior, the specific fracture energy Gf, has been determined with a new splitting method. High-temperature (100-110 C) drying renders the lowest specific fracture energy (Gf) and fracture toughness (KIC) values in comparison with 20 C fresh air, 50-60 C (kiln)-drying and prefreezing (-20 C), and air-drying. Prefreezing to -20 C before air-drying provides similar values as 20 C and similar or slightly higher values as 50 C drying. Effects of felling time and of compass orientation could not be detected unambiguously

Fracture characterisation of yew (Taxus baccata L.) and spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) in the radial-tangential and tangential-radial crack propagation system by a micro wedge splitting test

ISSN:0018-3830ISSN:1437-434

A new modular testing system for biomechanical evaluation of tibial intramedullary fixation devices

This biomechanical study was performed to evaluate a new modular, tibial testing system developed for analysis of tibial nails and their locking screws. A new testing system, consisting of five modules, was designed to simulate a tibia. For this study one module was removed to simulate a 55-mm distal tibial defect inducing maximum loading on the distal portion of the implant and locking bolts. The tibial load offsets were 23 mm proximally and 10 mm distally medial to the centreline of the tibial shaft to simulate the location of the expected resultant load during the peak loading and inversion torque on the ankle during the gait cycle. Four solid tibial nails (STN®, Stryker-Howmedica-Osteonics, Kiel, Germany) were tested to static failure and 15 nails were tested dynamically. Our results showed that the solid tibial nails fractured in the testing device in the same manner and location as they do in clinical series. Evaluation of the results showed the mean fatigue limit of the STN to be 1.4 kN for 500 000 cycles with a standard deviation (S.D.) of 0.33 kN. This biomechanical study establishes a standard technique for the biomechanical testing of tibial nails, in a clinically relevant manner, avoiding the inconsistency of cadaver bone tests. As it is a standardised test set-up this new modular testing system could serve as a standard by which small diameter tibial nails and other devices could be evaluated and compared with other systems currently in use