EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE VARIABILITIES OF THE ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF AMAZONIAN HARDWOOD CORDIA GOELDIANA

Abstract

Variabilities in dynamic elastic modulus and density of three wooden pieces of Amazonian species Cordia goeldiana were experimentally investigated and discussed. Wooden pieces belonging to different trees were purchased from the common internal timber market of Brazilian southeast region. Sixteen specimens were cut and prepared from each wooden piece in order to obtain elastic modulus via impulse excitation technique. Statistical processing of data was performed to compare between samples. Two wooden pieces exhibited similarities, presenting lower variabilities and higher values of elastic modulus and density. In addition, anatomical analysis was conducted on the wooden piece with larger variability, taking into account average diameter of pores and fibres, pores frequency and area occupied by pores. Investigation of relationships between anatomical features and elastic values showed weak or very weak correlations.