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Tree growth stresses—Part IV: Visco-elastic strain recovery

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Summary

Experimental methods for the determination of visco-elastic strain recoveries in timber are described. Intensive studies were carried out on Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell., to determine the characteristics of visco-elastic, longitudinal strain recovery, and its distribution along radial limes, in wood from butt, middle and top logs of trees; and also to investigate the effect on strain recovery of different diameters of trees and tree ages. Much less extensive tests, made on three other eucalyptus species and on Pinus radiata D. Don, were undertaken to explore the possibility of strong species differences.

It was found that the total visco-elastic strain recovery varied from maximum tensile values near the bark, through zero to maximum compressive values near the pit. It followed an exponential-rate curve commencing immediately after elastic strain release. Increments after 14 days were rarely measurable. An effect of increasing recoveries with age was proved highly significant. Large differences in recovery were evident between the softwood and the hardwood species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Products Laboratory, CSIRO, Melbourne

    J. D. Boyd & K. B. Schuster

  2. Division of Building Research, CSIRO, P.O. Box 310, South Melbourne, Australia

    K. B. Schuster

Authors
  1. J. D. Boyd
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  2. K. B. Schuster
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Additional information

The authors wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance of the Division of Mathematical Statistics, CSIRO. In particular, their thanks are due to Miss N. Ditchburne of that Division, especially in connection with estimates of the significance of trends in the data. They also acknowledge the helpful suggestions of Dr. P. U. A. Grossman of this Division, that led to the theoretical development given in Appendix III.

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Boyd, J.D., Schuster, K.B. Tree growth stresses—Part IV: Visco-elastic strain recovery. Wood Science and Technology 6, 95–120 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350824

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