Mechanical Characteristics of Historical Beams of Picea Abies Wood: Assessment by Ultrasound

摘要

Five historical full-size wood structural beams of Picea abies were tested with ultrasound. The speed of ultrasound, the modulus of elasticity, the moisture content and the wood density were measured for each specimen. The speed of the ultrasound waves in the radial, tangential and longitudinal directions was 1,769 m/s, 1,599 and 5,713 m/s respectively. The modulus of elasticity in the radial, tangential and longitudinal directions was 1,353 MPa, 1,069 MPa and 13,863 MPa respectively. The moisture content was on average 11.92% and the density was on average 422 kg/m~3. Wood parameters such as density and orthotropic directions had influence in ultrasound measurements. In spite of local weakness in the beams, they had enough strength to be considered full structural members.