Strength and stiffness of radiata pine at elevated temperatures: a complete data set

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wood processing operations, such as timber drying, are increasingly employing high temperatures, and the development and optimisation of these operations is often reliant on modelling from experimental data. These model outputs are only accurate if the experimental data has been collected under similar conditions. In this research, the Modulus of Elasticity (MoE) and yield stress in compression and tension of two Pinus radiata trees are presented for a range of 6–30%MC between 20 and 150°C in the three grain directions. Results indicate that in all grain directions both MoE and yield stress decrease with increasing moisture content and increasing temperature, and this effect is more pronounced with the combination of high temperature and high moisture content. For both MoE and yield stress, differences were seen between testing in compression and in tension, and this relationship varied with grain direction and test conditions. This underscores the importance of accounting for the direction of applied forces when modelling the behaviour of wood. Overall, this data set indicates that yield stress and MoE can vary considerably according to temperature, moisture content, grain direction and the direction of the applied force.