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Acoustic measurements on standing trees, logs and green lumber

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Abstract

Acoustics provide opportunities for non-destructive evaluation of the mechanical properties of wood, especially stiffness. In this work, Fakopp 2D a time of flight (TOF) tool and WoodSpec a resonance-based system were used. In a scoping study on young Pinus radiata trees (aged 8–11) no systematic differences were found between the Fakopp acoustic velocity on opposite sides of young trees. These Fakopp values were then averaged and correlated with that from the equivalent log using WoodSpec. Finally stem and log values were correlated with acoustic velocity in outerwood and in corewood lumber. External measurements on the log (standing tree) correlated well with those for lumber cut adjacent to the bark and modestly for the corewood (R 2 of 0.89 and 0.74, respectively). In a separate study, the acoustic velocities were measured on standing trees in three adjacent stands aged 8, 16 and 26 and the data were used to construct a “Russian Doll” model to demonstrate the enormous range in wood stiffness within and between trees. The stiffest 20% of the population was estimated to be 146, 87 and 76% stiffer than the poorest 20% in the corewood (age 8), intermediate (age 16) and outerwood zone (age 26) respectively.

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Notes

  1. http://www.fakopp.com/download.htm. Fakopp Enterprise. Fakopp 2D user’s guide. Visited 10 August 2002. Refer to the user’s guide for all operational details.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Wood Quality Initiative Ltd. (NZ) for permission to use data gathered as part of a larger study in the Hochstetter Forest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Masters of Forestry Science (Wood Science) absolvent, NZ School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Sauensieker Weg 6, 21649, Regesbostel, Germany

    M. Grabianowski

  2. NZ School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    B. Manley & J. C. F. Walker

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  1. M. Grabianowski
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  2. B. Manley
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  3. J. C. F. Walker
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Correspondence to M. Grabianowski.

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Grabianowski, M., Manley, B. & Walker, J.C.F. Acoustic measurements on standing trees, logs and green lumber. Wood Sci Technol 40, 205–216 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-005-0038-5

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