Elasto-plastic material model of oak at two moisture content levels

The mechanical properties of wood show a very high dependence on the moisture content (MC). A consideration of MC in numerical simulations increases the applicability of such prediction with respect to application and moisture states of the wood material. The goal of this work is to develop an accurate orthotropic elasto-plastic model for oak wood (Quercus robur L.) at two different MC levels applicable for finite element analysis (FEA). To achieve this goal, the following steps were carried out: (a) in-house standard specimens tests in compression, tension, and shear and in all three orthogonal directions, followed by three-point bending, where all specimens were conditioned to a 12 and 25.6% MC, prior to the mechanical test; (b) integration of all obtained material characteristics into the consistent numerical material models; (c) validation of the developed material models by comparing the numerically predicted values with the experimental ones; and (d) iterative calibration of the material models by adjusting the individual material characteristics to minimize error using a reference. Material models were successfully developed with the following mean relative errors: 5.2% for 12% MC and 5.8% for 25.6% MC, respectively. Both numerical material models consistently predicted the oak elasto-plastic response that can be easily integrated into any FEA.OA-hybri

Dynamic Properties of Wood Obtained by Frequency Resonance Technique and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

The study of the visco-elastic properties of wood involves the determination of dynamic parameters using non-destructive methods. These methods differ in the possibilities of use (size and geometry of tested specimens, control of environmental conditions such as temperature or humidity), in the field of use (laboratory only, in-situ), and also in the way of determining dynamic parameters. This brings the question of whether the same parameters determined in different ways can be considered identical. This study aims to compare the Frequency Resonance Technique (FRT) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) as methods used for the determination of bending dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOED) and damping coefficient (tan δ) of dry and green wood. Groups of specimens of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), European oak (Quercus robur L.), and Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) wood with three levels of moisture contents (MC) were tested with both methods. Obtained results showed that MOED decreases with increasing moisture content until the fibre saturation point (FSP). Above FSP, there is not any significant change in dynamic modulus with increasing MC. A strong linear correlation between MOED obtained through both methods was found (r = 0.92, r2 = 0.84). For tan δ, the relationship was weaker (r = 0.57, r2 = 0.32), and each method shows a different influence of MC on damping tan δ above the FSP, which leads to resume that this damping coefficient is sensitive to the method of determination

Prediction of mechanical properties - Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity - of five tropical species by nondestructive methods

This paper analyzes the usability of different dynamic moduli of elasticity and wood density for the prediction of mechanical properties – static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture – in samples with grain deflection from the longitudinal direction. Five tropical hardwoods (Afzelia bipindensis, Intsia bijuga, Millettia laurentii, Astronium graveolens and Microberlinia brazzavillensis) with different grain characteristics were used for this purpose.  The fiber deflection was caused by the presence of interlocked grain or the working process. The three nondestructive techniques used in this study –  longitudinal and flexural resonance method and ultrasound method –  provided higher values of modulus of elasticity than the static bending test, but close correlation was observed between these variables. The weakest correlation was found for the ultrasound method which is probably caused by its measuring mechanism. The prediction of the modulus of rupture is less accurate when the dynamic modulus of elasticity is compared with the static modulus of elasticity; on the other hand, it was still good in comparison with the density model, which is inapplicable when grain deflection occurs in wood. In the wood of Zebrano where the interlocked grain was strongly developed, almost all of the correlation coefficients showed the lowest values and the prediction of modulus of rupture by nondestructive techniques was unsatisfactory

Effects of Wood Particles from Deadwood on the Properties and Formaldehyde Emission of Particleboards

The volume of deadwood increases annually because of changes in environmental, climatic, and hydrological conditions. On the other hand, during the last decade, manufacturers of wood-based boards have been facing an acute problem of a shortage of conventional raw materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using wood particles from deadwood in the production of particleboards. Three-layer particleboards with different content of deadwood particles (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) were produced. Conventional urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin was used for gluing the particles. The physical and mechanical properties of the boards, as well as the formaldehyde content in the boards, were determined. In addition, the effect of adding melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin to UF adhesive on the properties of the boards was investigated. Replacing conventional sound wood particles with deadwood particles leads to deterioration of the physical and mechanical properties of the boards. The boards from deadwood particles absorb more water and swell more. The bending strength (MOR), modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE), and internal bonding (IB) values for boards with 100% deadwood particles are reduced by 26.5%, 23.1%, and 72.4%, respectively, compared to reference boards from sound wood particles. Despite this, a significant advantage is that boards made from 100% deadwood particles are characterized by 34.5% less formaldehyde content than reference boards made from conventional sound wood. Moreover, adding 3% of MUF resin to UF adhesive increases MOR, MOE, and IB by 44.1%, 43.3%, and 294.4%, respectively.O

Physical-Mechanical Properties of Peat Moss (Sphagnum) Insulation Panels with Bio-Based Adhesives

Rising energy and raw material prices, dwindling resources, increased recycling, and the need for sustainable management have led to growth in the smart materials sector. In recent years, the importance and diversity of bio-based adhesives for industrial applications has grown steadily. This article focuses on the production and characterization of insulation panels consisting of peat moss and two bio-based adhesives. The panels were pressed with tannin and animal-based resins and compared to panels bonded with urea formaldehyde. The physical-mechanical properties, namely, thermal conductivity (TC), water vapor diffusion resistance, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond (IB), compression resistance (CR), water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) were measured and analyzed. The results show that the insulation effectiveness and mechanical stability of moss panels bound with tannin and animal glue are comparable to standard adhesives used in the composite industry.O

Using 3D digital image correlation in an identification of defects of trees subjected to bending

Abrupt changes of climate have intensified during the last few decades, bringing higher risks from tree failures by either uprooting or stem breakage. To eliminate the risks, many techniques of tree assessment are being used. In the presented work, an optical technique based on 3D Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) was investigated as one of the tools to be used in identification of tree defects. Within the work, two ash trees were examined by pulling tests coupling 3D-DIC and standard techniques. The trees were measured in five consecutive steps of artificially made defects of two kinds - root and stem damage. We hypothesized defects can be identified using full-field strains and displacements. Results indicated that 3D-DIC provides comparable strains as standard semi-destructive extensometers. Statistical tests (α = 0.05) showed the 3D-DIC technique method is capable of identifying changes of displacements and strains after creating artificial defects in trees. However, despite the statistical differences, the practical arboricultural considerations of findings are still limited due to low absolute differences. The study also suggests there might exist path-dependency of the defect creation order when evaluating stiffness/strains from extensometers of two different positions. This could have impact on a practical assessment of tree stability in the future, but it must be further tested on larger data sets due to the proof-of-concept character of this work. In general, 3D-DIC brings extensive improvement in data acquisition quality and quantity, especially from the perspective of natural variability and heterogeneity in trees and wood.OA-hybri

Thermally modified (TM) beech wood: compression properties, fracture toughness and cohesive law in mode II obtained from the three-point end-notched flexure (3ENF) test

[EN] The fracture properties of thermally modified beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood (TMW) at 180 degrees and 200 degrees C were evaluated in mode II using the three-point end-notched flexure (3ENF) scheme assisted by three-dimensional (3D) stereovision equipment for obtaining displacements and strains. The compliance-based beam method (CBBM) provided the strain energy release rates (G(II)) of TMW and cohesive laws for both native wood (W) and TMW. Based on the CBBM and equivalent crack length approach (ECLA), G(II) was obtained directly from the force-deflection data. The thermal modification (TM) process reduced the compressive strength by 4.4% and increased the compressive elastic modulus by 38.3%, whereas G(II) was reduced substantially by 40.8% and 67.9% at TM180 degrees C and TM200 degrees C, respectively. TM also increased wood brittleness that was visible on the displacement slip reduction. The resulting mean cohesive models can be used for numerical analyses. The fracture properties of TMW have to be taken into consideration for constructional wood application, when cyclic loading may lead to microcracking and material fatigue.The authors would like to thank COST Action FP1407 (Funder Id: https://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000921), the European Commission for funding the InnoRenew CoE project under the Horizon2020 Widespread-Teaming program (grant agreement #739574), the Republic of Slovenia for providing support from the European Regional Development Funds, and the financial support provided by the Internal Grant Agency (IGA) of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno (LDF_PSV_2016015).Sebera, V.; Redón-Santafé, M.; Brabec, M.; Decky, D.; Cermak, P.; Tippner, J.; Milch, J. (2019). Thermally modified (TM) beech wood: compression properties, fracture toughness and cohesive law in mode II obtained from the three-point end-notched flexure (3ENF) test. Holzforschung. 73(7):663-672. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2018-018866367273

Prediction of mechanical properties - modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity - of five tropical species by nondestructive methods

This paper analyzes the usability of different dynamic moduli of elasticity and wood density for the prediction of mechanical properties - static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture - in samples with grain deflection from the longitudinal direction. Five tropical hardwoods (Afzelia bipindensis, Intsia bijuga, Millettia laurentii, Astronium graveolens and Microberlinia brazzavillensis) with different grain characteristics were used for this purpose. The fiber deflection was caused by the presence of interlocked grain or the working process. The three nondestructive techniques used in this study - longitudinal and flexural resonance method and ultrasound method - provided higher values of modulus of elasticity than the static bending test, but close correlation was observed between these variables. The weakest correlation was found for the ultrasound method which is probably caused by its measuring mechanism. The prediction of the modulus of rupture is less accurate when the dynamic modulus of elasticity is compared with the static modulus of elasticity; on the other hand, it was still good in comparison with the density model, which is inapplicable when grain deflection occurs in wood. In the wood of Zebrano where the interlocked grain was strongly developed, almost all of the correlation coefficients showed the lowest values and the prediction of modulus of rupture by nondestructive techniques was unsatisfactory

Prediction of mechanical properties. Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. Of five tropical species by nondestructive methods

This paper analyzes the usability of different dynamic moduli of elasticity and wood density for the prediction of mechanical properties – static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture – in samples with grain deflection from the longitudinal direction. Five tropical hardwoods (Afzelia bipindensis, Intsia bijuga, Millettia laurentii, Astronium graveolens and Microberlinia brazzavillensis) with different grain characteristics were used for this purpose. The fiber deflection was caused by the presence of interlocked grain or the working process. The three nondestructive techniques used in this study – longitudinal and flexural resonance method and ultrasound method – provided higher values of modulus of elasticity than the static bending test, but close correlation was observed between these variables. The weakest correlation was found for the ultrasound method which is probably caused by its measuring mechanism. The prediction of the modulus of rupture is less accurate when the dynamic modulus of elasticity is compared with the static modulus of elasticity; on the other hand, it was still good in comparison with the density model, which is inapplicable when grain deflection occurs in wood. In the wood of Zebrano where the interlocked grain was strongly developed, almost all of the correlation coefficients showed the lowest values and the prediction of modulus of rupture by nondestructive techniques was unsatisfactory

Possible use of the hyperelastic material models in numerical analysis of the wood-strand mat compression

The main goal of the work was to evaluate a possibility of using various hyperelastic material mo­dels implemented into ANSYS computational system for the numerical analysis of wood-strand mat pressing or wood-based composites. Subsequently, the most suitable hyperelastic model was used as a material model in compression simulation. Pressing itself was modelled as a contact transient ana­ly­sis with wood-strand mat being defined as a homogenous and isotropic continuum with the chosen material model. In the analysis only displacement degrees of freedom are considered. Output of the simulation is a contact pressure, which is necessary to apply to compress the mat on the required height. The analysis serves as a take-off platform for further research in wood-based com­po­si­tes pressing process