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Compressive strength, static bending and specific gravity of chemically-treated stakes from three structural and general-purpose hardwoods

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Abstract

Non-durable timbers, employed as substitutes for the over-exploited traditional species for structural applications, are chemically-treated to extend their service-lives. However, strength properties of treated woods are barely investigated, particularly for tropical species. Some physico-mechanical characteristics (e.g. compressive strength, static bending and specific gravity) of three commonly-preserved, structural timbers (Terminalia superba, Antiaris toxicaria and Celtis mildbraedii) were examined after treatment with an organic preservative (Erythrophleum suaveolens seed extract) and an inorganic type (Pyrinex 48EC) at 0.5 and 1 % concentrations. Treatment was through non-pressure (i.e., steeping) and pressure methods. Specific gravities (SGs) of the stakes (air-dried to 12–14 % mc) increased after impregnation. Chemical retention and SGs were greater for pressure-treated stakes at 1 % than by steeping at 0.5 %. Differences in SG between non-pressure treated stakes at 0.5 and 1 % were not significant (p < 0.05). The physico-mechanical properties were affected by the preservative type, concentration, retention and the treatment process. Strength properties of treated stakes rank in this decreasing order for the hardwoods: C. mildbraedii > T. superba > A. toxicaria. Compression and static bending strengths for control were greater than the treated. Stakes pressure-treated at greater retentions and concentration (i.e., 1 %) lost greater strength than those, which went through steeping at lower retention and concentration (i.e., 0.5 %). This implies that limitations in strength characteristics of chemically-treated wood need be properly addressed by wood and engineering industries in the design of standards for timber in construction.

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Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the invaluable contributions of the Staff of the Department of Civil Engineering of the College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana for the mechanical tests and Miss Agnes Ankomah Danso (Biometrician, Crops Research Institute, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research [CSIR], Kumasi) for her untiring assistance regarding the analysis of our data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wood Science & Technology, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    C. Antwi-Boasiako

  2. Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Ltd, P.O. Box 01, Samreboi, Western Region, Ghana

    D. Amponsah

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  1. C. Antwi-Boasiako
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  2. D. Amponsah
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Correspondence to C. Antwi-Boasiako.

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Antwi-Boasiako, C., Amponsah, D. Compressive strength, static bending and specific gravity of chemically-treated stakes from three structural and general-purpose hardwoods. J Indian Acad Wood Sci 9, 83–91 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-012-0076-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-012-0076-1

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