Abstract
In Ireland, timber and biomass haulage faces the challenge of transporting enough material within strict legal dimensions and gross vehicle weights restrictions for trucks and trailers. The objective of this study was to develop a method to control payload weight by knowing the moisture content of the wood. Weights, volumes, and moisture content were gathered from 100 truckloads of Sitka spruce pulpwood. Truck volume and weight utilization patterns were analyzed based on stacked volume, truck volume, and weights recorded from the weighbridge. Solid/bulk volume conversion factors for the truckloads were estimated indicating the truck’s solid volume capacity to be filled. Trucks were grouped into five conditions based on their configuration—volume capacity and legal maximum payload. A loaded volume fraction was estimated to assess the optimal volume capacity and stanchion height at which the trucks should be loaded. Results showed that 100% of the trucks presented volume underutilization, with a maximum of 27.5 m3 (only 39.85% volume capacity). In contrast, 67% of trucks were overweight while the remaining 33% were under the legal maximum weight. The average solid/bulk volume conversion factor was 0.66 ± 0.013 at 95% confidence level. Depending on the conditions, trucks can be filled to 100% of their volume capacity with wood at an MC from 29% to 55%. The minimum truck volume capacity utilization was 45%. This methodology can be used by truck hauliers, enabling them to determine in-forest the optimum volume and weight of wood to be transported by knowing the moisture content (MC), the wood specie, and using the height of the stanchions of the trailer as reference when loading the truck.
Highlights
IntroductionIt is forecasted that roundwood volume will increase from 3.79 million m3 in 2011 to 6.41 million m3 in [2]
In 2007, forests covered 10% of Ireland’s land area, and this is projected to increase to 17% by 2030 [1].It is forecasted that roundwood volume will increase from 3.79 million m3 in 2011 to 6.41 million m3 in [2]
Trucks were grouped into five conditions based on their configuration, volume capacity, design gross vehicle weight (DGVW) and number of axles which determine the legal weight limit; this consists on
Summary
It is forecasted that roundwood volume will increase from 3.79 million m3 in 2011 to 6.41 million m3 in [2]. This volume increase will have a direct correlation and impact on the logistics involved in the wood supply chain. Several modes of transportation are used in the forestry sector worldwide and truck transportation constitutes an important part of the supply chain. Road transportation is and will remain the most important mode of timber transport in Ireland, forming a substantial part of the industry’s raw material cost and having a major influence on the sector’s overall economic performance and competitiveness [4,5]
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