Nondestructive Methods of Evaluating Quality of Wood in Preservative-TreatedPiles

摘要

Stress-wave-based nondestructive evaluation methods were used to evaluate thepotential quality and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of wood in used preservative-treated Douglas-fir and southern pine piles. Stress wave measurements were conducted on each pile section. Stress wave propagation speeds in the piles were then obtained to estimate their MOE. This was followed by a sequence of tests conducted on octagon-shaped cants, on boards, and on small, clear wood specimens obtained from the piles. Statisical regression analyses revealed a strong correlation between the stress-wave-based MOE (MOE(sub d)) of piles and octagons and the corresponding flexural properties of boards and small, clear wood specimens determined by transverse vibration and static bending techniques, respectively. The results also indicated that used preservative-treated wood piles still contain material that has potential for use in exterior structural applications.