Cheng-Jung Lin

The adjusted dynamic modulus of elasticity above the fiber saturation point in taiwania plantation wood by ultrasonic-wave measurement

Summary In this study, the effects of moisture content and bulk density on the ultrasonic velocity of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay.) plantation wood in the longitudinal and radial directions are investigated. The dynamic modulus of elasticity is adjusted above the fiber saturation point by a simple method. It was observed that ultrasonic velocity tended to increase with a decrease in moisture content, and the effect of moisture content on the ultrasonic speed below the fiber saturation point was stronger than that above. Moreover, for this species ultrasonic speed in the longitudinal direction decreased with increasing bulk density, while that in the radial direction increased. The correlations between ultrasonic velocity, moisture and bulk density could be represented by a polynomial regression model. The K value for ultrasonic wave was affected by density. The adjusted dynamic modulus of elasticity remained fairly constant above the fiber saturation point using this simple method. Therefore, the results obtained by the ultrasonic-wave technique should be adjusted before estimating some physical properties of standing trees.

Application of the drilling resistance method for annual ring characteristics: evaluation of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) trees grown with different thinning and pruning treatments

Abstract The effects of various thinning and pruning methods on the density profile and annual ring characteristics of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay.) using the drilling resistance technique were investigated. The results showed that thinning caused wider annual rings than medium thinning or no thinning, and pruning caused narrower annual rings than no pruning. Moreover, the thinning treatment affected annual rings more effectively than the pruning treatment. The average ring density after the thinning treatments showed a trend as follows: no thinning > medium > heavy. This indicates that thinning reduces the average ring density. The average ring density after the pruning treatments showed a trend as follows: medium > no pruning > heavy. However, the differences between thinning and no thinning were not statistically significant. The percentage of latewood in Taiwania after these three thinning and pruning treatments are shown. The results with silvicultural treatments have the order: medium > not treated > heavy, but there are no statistically significant differences among thinning, pruning, and thinning where pruning interactions were observed. Moreover, there were highly significant negative relations between the average ring width and the various ring densities for Taiwania, but the determination coefficients were small. In addition, there was a highly positively significant relation between the latewood percentage and latewood width.

Nondestructive evaluation techniques for assessing dynamic modulus of elasticity of moso bamboo (Phyllosachys edulis) lamina

Bamboo, an extensively used material in Asia, is becoming an increasingly available structural (e.g., flooring and furniture) material in Taiwan. The bending strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of moso bamboo (Phyllosachys edulis) laminae were investigated using ultrasonic-wave and drilling resistance techniques. The strength quality of bamboo was reduced after steaming treatment and was significantly affected by node characteristics. The transverse variations of the mean drilling resistance value (R) gradually increased outward from the bamboo cavity layer. There were very significant positive relationships among density (ju), the drilling resistance value (R), the dynamic modulus of elasticity (Eb), the modulus of elasticity (MOE), and the modulus of rupture (MOR), although the coefficients of determination were small. Combining ultrasonic-wave and drilling resistance techniques is efficient in estimating and establishing the dynamic modulus of elasticity (REb). Values of REb for moso bamboo increased with increasing ju, R, Eb, MOE, and MOR, and the relationships could each be represented by positive linear regression formulas.

Effects of thinning and pruning on knots and lumber recovery of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) planted in the Lu-Kuei area

This study investigated the effects of various thinning and pruning methods on the knots (number and size) and lumber recovery from Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay.) plantation trees. The results showed that heavy thinning caused more knots and larger-diameter knots than medium or no thinning; moreover, pruning caused fewer numbers of knots and smaller-diameter knots than no pruning. Better-quality Taiwania trees occurred with the no-thinning/no-pruning treatments, as shown by analyzing the knots, although the results also showed that the healing process seemed to have produced not completely clear wood during the 9 years after the pruning treatment. The thinning intensity slightly enhanced the lumber recovery of logs. Pruning did not affect lumber recovery from taiwania trees and logs. Thinning increased the lumber recovery per tree due to an increase in the diameter at breast height.

Dynamic modulus of elasticity and bending properties of young Taiwania trees grown with different thinning and pruning treatments

The effects of different thinning and pruning methods on the bending strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOE) of young Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay) were investigated. The average DMOE, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) in the thinning treatments showed the following trend: no thinning > medium thinning > heavy thinning. This indicates that thinning reduces average bending properties. The average DMOE, MOE, and MOR in the pruning treatments showed the following trend: medium pruning > no pruning > heavy pruning. According to this tendency, better average qualities of lumber and specimens were from wood subjected to no-thinning and medium-pruning treatments according to an ultrasonic wave technique and static bending tests. However, most results showed no statistically significant differences among thinning, pruning, and thinning and pruning treatments. The average values of DMOE, MOE, and MOR of visually graded construction-grade lumber were significantly greater than those of below-grade lumber. Moreover, there were very significant positive relationships between density, ultrasonic velocity, DMOE, MOE, and MOR, although the determination coefficients were small.

Compressive strength of young Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) trees grown with different thinning and pruning treatments

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay) is an important timber species in Taiwan. Growth in generally improved trees under intense silvicultural practice is so rapid that rotations or the practice of thinning trees may be as short as 20–30 years. Thus, the wood properties of young plantation trees need to be characterized to effectively use this resource. The effects of different thinning and pruning methods on the compressive strength parallel to grain of young Taiwania trees were explored. Average compressive strengths with various thinning treatments revealed the trend of no thinning > medium thinning > heavy thinning and in the pruning treatments showed the trend of medium pruning > no pruning > heavy pruning. However, most results showed no statistically significant differences among thinning and pruning treatments.

Application of the fractometer for crushing strength: juvenile-mature wood demarcation in Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioids)

The fractometer is a device that breaks a radial increment core along the fiber for the measurement of crushing strength, which is a direct wood quality indicator for structural lumber. In this study, the crushing strength of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay) trees using the fractometer was investigated and the data were used to determine the position of demarcation between juvenile and mature wood. Segmented regression and variance component analysis were used to estimate the demarcation position. With increasing cambium age, the core wood improves the crushing strength in the outer wood area. Within-tree variations in wood properties were greater than between-tree variations. In this experiment, the position of demarcation between juvenile and mature wood occurred at an approximate distance of 10.8cm to 13.2cm from the pith at about 18–20 years of cambium age.

Stress Wave Tomography for the Quantification of Artificial Hole Detection in Camphor Trees (Cinnamomum camphora)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate defects/holes in trees using a stress wave tomo-graphic technique. Results revealed that there was a significant positive relationship of the residual disc diameter ratio with the stress wave velocity, and a negative relationship with a reduction in the corresponding stress wave velocity in the virtual radial direction. A difference in the mapped color and stress wave velocity between the hole area and its surrounding sound area was obvious, and when the ratio of the hole area to the cross-sectional area exceeded 2.3%, the hole was detectable by tomography. A significant positive relationship between wood density and stress wave velocity of the transverse section was found in this study. Moreover, above the fiber saturation point, stress wave velocities tended to decrease with increasing moisture contents using tomography. Experimental results could provide some vital information for detecting defect locations and sizes in trunk cross-sections.

Effects of ring characteristics on the compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of seven softwood species

Abstract The effects of ring characteristics on the compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of seven softwood species in Taiwan were examined. The results revealed good correlation between compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity obtained using an ultrasonic wave technique (correlation coefficient r=0.77–0.86). Overall, compressive strength increased with decreasing ring width parameters and increasing ring density parameters. Ring density was related to compressive strength, but was not the sole factor affecting the wood strength. According to our statistical analysis, compressive strength was affected by various ring characteristics. Relationships between ring characteristics and compressive strength are influenced by the anatomic direction. Results revealed that earlywood density and minimum density in a ring are equally important variables for evaluating the compressive strength of wood.

The use of spectroscopy to determine the properties and evaluation of extruded tea leaf-plastic composites

Wood-plastic composites (WPC), which use wood flour and polyolefins, are of interest scientifically as well as commercially because WPC combines the best properties of both polyolefins and wood particles (Kallakas et al. 2015). New generation of WPC is an environment-friendly green material, created from the product of forestry and plastic industries (Clemons 2002, Pritchard 2004). This type of new material is manufactured using recycled wood flour and plastic resins. The WPCs are widely used in outdoor environments. However, weathering is of particular concern because it considerably affects the durability of WPCs. It has been well documented that WPCs exposed to weathering can experience color change, which decreases the aesthetic appeal. There is also loss of mechanical properties which limits their performance (Stark & Matuana 2004, Stark 2007). The color differences and the brightness of WPCs after THE USE OF SPECTROSCOPY TO DETERMINE THE PROPERTIES AND EVALUATION OF EXTRUDED TEA LEAFPLASTIC COMPOSITES