Determination of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Specie Dinizia excelsa Ducke

Abstract

Wood is a material, when compared with other materials applied in civil construction, displays several advantages such an elevated mechanical strength when related with its apparent density. The wood manufacturing industry has great representativeness in the Brazilian economy however, the irrational consumption of determined species brought damages to the forest, causing extinction of some species and consequently, rising wood prices in market. The characterization of unknown wood species presents an alternative for a more rational exploration and expand wood use in structural purpose, enabling the use of this species determining its properties. The study aimed to characterize 3 physical properties and 12 mechanical properties of <i>Angelim</i> <i>vermelho</i> (<i>Dinizia</i> <i>excelsa</i> Ducke.) based on Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 7190. Twelve models were used for each test, totalizing 180 experimental results. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) handling the regression models will be used to predict the strength and stiffness as function of apparent density. The results presented on tests demonstrated compatible performance with common wood species used in civil construction, considered high strength wood and with adequate use in this activity. According the regression models, only three properties were considered significant with apparent density estimation.