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Nondestructive evaluation of trees

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Summary

We developed an experimental technique to evaluate wood properties in standing trees. The technique utilizes two accelerometers coupled to a digital oscilloscope. With this technique, we were able to obtain relatively accurate and reliable stress wave information that could be utilized to predict the mechanical properties of wood from trees. We believe that this technique provides a good in-situ estimate of wood quality and strength. The results indicate that this method may be used in the future to determine how forests could be managed to meet desired wood and fiber qualities.

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References

  1. Ross, R.J., DeGroot, R.C., and Nelson, W.J., “Technique for Nondestructive Evaluation of Biologically Degraded Wood,” Experimental Techniques 185: 29–32 (1994).

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  2. Ross, R.J., and Pellerin, R.F., Nondestructive Testing for Assessing Wood Members in Structures: A review. Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL-GTR-70 (Rev.), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin (1994).

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  3. Wang, X., R.J. Ross, J.R. Erickson, J.W. Forsman, and G.D. McGinnis, Development of Procedures to Evaluate Wood Quality in Preservative-treated Piles Using NDE Methods, in Preparation.

  4. Wang, X., Stress Wave-based Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Methods for Wood Quality of Standing Trees, Ph.D. dissertation, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan (1999).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Madison, WI, USA

    X. Wang (SEM member, research scientist) & R. J. Ross (supervisory General Engineer)

  2. School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA

    J. R. Erickson (research scientist)

  3. Mechanical Engineer Department, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA

    J. B. Ligon (SEM member, Professor)

Authors
  1. X. Wang
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  2. R. J. Ross
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  3. J. R. Erickson
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  4. J. B. Ligon
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Additional information

Editor’s Note: The Forest Products Laboratory is maintained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and it is therefore in the public domain and not subject to copyright.

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Wang, X., Ross, R.J., Erickson, J.R. et al. Nondestructive evaluation of trees. Exp Tech 24, 27–29 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1567.2000.tb01345.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1567.2000.tb01345.x

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