Caracterización estructural de madera aserrada de pinos cultivados en Uruguay

Abstract

The availability of local produced lumber has significantly increased in the last thirty years in Uruguay due to a governmental policy to promote fast-grown plantations. For structural applications lumber must be strength graded and the properties should be available for professionals and customers. This research was motivated by the lack of strength-graded lumber and a strength class system in Uruguay. The objective was to characterize Pinus elliottii and Pinus taeda timber and to assign strength grades. The study evaluated a representative sample of currently produced material in Uruguay, including lumber from a 25-year-old west and 15-year- old southern-west plantations. Approximately 900 structural pieces were graded in three qualitative grades, and then tested in bending, compression- and tensile- parallel to grain. For each grade, a group of strength properties was associated. Comparison with EN 338 strength classes and NCh 1198 indicated that the superior group comprised of 25-year-old timber could be assigned to C14 class, while none complied with NCh 1198 requirements. None of the 15 year-old groups attained the international structural requirements.