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Moisture content adjustments for dynamic modulus of elasticity of wood members

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Abstract

The influence of moisture content (MC) on the dynamic modulus of elasticity of structural lumber was investigated using transverse vibration testing methods. The flexural rigidity (EI) of a transversely vibrating beam was calculated as the modulus of elasticity (E) multiplied by the moment of inertia (I). The increase in E of lumber due to reduction in moisture content was computed by assuming that the flexural rigidity remains constant with changes in moisture content. Reductions in I due to shrinkage were compensated by the increases in E which led to a proposal for a species-dependent MC adjustment model for modulus of elasticity. The model was validated using 38 mm × 89 mm × 4,290 mm western Canadian Spruce–Pine–Fir dimension lumber evaluated in the “as-received” and “dry” conditions. Results obtained from the species-dependent model agreed closely with those from the E adjustment equation for dimension lumber given in ASTM D 1990. The results show that the ASTM moisture adjustment procedures can be used to adjust dynamic E values for changes in moisture content also.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wood Science, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T-1Z4, Canada

    J. David Barrett & Jung-Pyo Hong

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  1. J. David Barrett
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  2. Jung-Pyo Hong
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Correspondence to J. David Barrett.

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Barrett, J.D., Hong, JP. Moisture content adjustments for dynamic modulus of elasticity of wood members. Wood Sci Technol 44, 485–495 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-009-0292-z

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