Evaluation of some physical and mechanical properties of Acacia hybrid BV10 planted in Quy Chau, Nghe An

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate some major physical and mechanical properties of 7 year old Acacia hybrid BV10 planted in Quy Chau district, Nghe An province. Small specimens with dimensions of 20 (Radial) × 20 (Tangential) × 320 (Longitudinal) mm3 were cut near the pith and near the bark at breast height from each sample tree, then placed in a standard laboratory setting until their weights reached a constant value. The resulting mean air-dry density (AD), stress wave velocity (SWV), static modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were 0.53 g/cm3, 4,241 m/s, 10.00 GPa, and 82.17 MPa, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that SWV and these wood properties examined near the bark were always higher than those values measured near the pith. Stress wave technology can be used to predict MOE and MOR; however, AD is still a more reliable indicator for predicting mechanical properties since it showed a strong correlation with MOE (r = 0.86; P < 0.001) and MOR (r = 0.80; P < 0.001).