Average Skidding Distance of Timberin Non-Rectangular Cutting Areas

Abstract

The results obtained in this article relate to the scientific and technological development of the timber industry. The main idea of the article is based on the possibility of concentrating several forest plots designated for felling with different percentages of cut components within a single cutting area. On the logging site created in this way, single main skidding and skidding trails were laid, allowing the entire range of logging operations to be carried out. The shape of such combined cutting areas can be a complex geometric figure. The purpose of this article is to improve existing methods and mathematical dependencies to justify the average skidding distance of timber when combining adjacent forest areas into a single cutting area. The article uses the methods of mathematical analysis, in particular, the methods of differential and integral calculus. The developed algorithm made it possible to create a unified methodological approach to find the average skidding distance, regardless of the shape of the cutting area. An important distinguishing characteristic of the created mathematical dependencies is that they can be used in cutting areas consisting of several forest plots characterized by different wood stocks. The forest areas included in the cutting area may differ in the presence of a branched structure of the main skidding and skidding trails. The results obtained can be used effectively by logging enterprises in substantiating the production rates and planning the work for future periods. As a result of using the obtained mathematical dependencies, it becomes possible to effectively place loading points and skidding trails on the territory of the cutting area.