Changes in mechanical properties of wood due to 1 year outdoor exposure

Abstract

For quantitative evaluation of wooden structures, the mechanical performance of members has undergone outdoor exposure tests. A year-long monitoring was conducted using an SPF species. Test groups were divided into twelve (each month) to measure the moisture content, density and ultimate load. Starting from May when moisture content of the test group was at the lowest, simple failure modes were observed more frequently during the first half of the experiment, whereas complex failure modes took over during the second half. Starting from June when moisture content of the test group was the highest, ultimate load decreased by 30% in the second half compared to the first half. A multiple regression analysis confirmed that moisture content of the test group was the variable with most effect on ultimate load of various outdoor variables, and an estimation equation of a simple regression analysis revealed that moisture content and ultimate load formed an inversely proportionate relationship. It is thought that correlational relationships of variables other than moisture content could be applied with the increase in added data amount by longer periods of outdoor exposure tests.