PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PALMYRA PALM WOOD FOR SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL

Abstract

Physical properties are major characteristics that validate biomaterials’ adaptability to commercial utilization. The moisture content, density, swelling, and shrinkage within male and female Borassus aethiopumwere assessed. Green and dry moisture content, and density were tested with the oven-dry method whileswelling and shrinkage were evaluated using the water-saturation test and oven-dry methods respectively.Unlike moisture content, density decreased towards the crowns and radially from the peripheries to their cores.Directional swelling decreased as: Radial > Tangential > Longitudinal. Volumetric swelling was greatest atthe core of the base (6,99 %) but at least at the periphery within the middle of the male (2,89 %). However,the female recorded much swelling at the core of its mid-portion (6,23 %) and least (4,01 %) at the crownperiphery. Directional shrinkage decreased identically as the male variety while the volumetric shrinkage forboth varieties was not consistent. The peripheries had less moisture content, better dimensional stability anddensity (which influences wood strength) at the butt than those of the core indicating the peripheries wouldmaintain its original dimension and strength when subjected to environmental changes and be more viable forstructural works than the core