Dimensional stability of wood in presence of water

• Author(s): Ferreira, Débora ; Pinto, Cristiana ; Borges, Paula ; Fonseca, E.M.M.
• Date: 2013
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/10456
• Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
• Subject(s): Hygroscopic; Shrinkage; Experimental evaluation; Dimensional changes
• Document Type: Conference Object
• Language: English

Description

An experimental program was defined aiming to evaluate the dimensional stability of hardwood and softwood species. The maritime pine softwood (Pinus pinaster) and the ash hardwood of the North-east region of Portugal are analysed. A group of thirty specimens were made for each species of wood. The experimental procedure has been conducted according to NP EN 614 and NP EN 615. For each wood species, one half of the specimens were previously dried while the other one half was prior saturated. Two main variables were studied in normal environmental conditions: mass and dimensional variation. Tests were conducted at 20ºC environment temperature and 60% of relative humidity. Measurements were taken allowing to quantify the dimensional variation suffered during the dry/saturation process for both species. The properties that define the behaviour of wood against temperature and moisture actions are assessed in this work. Hygroscopicity and shrinkage are given special attention.