ESTIMATION OF STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS TROPICAL WOODS AS FUNCTION OF PHYSICAL AND ANATOMICAL PARAMETERS

• Grant number: 24/01589-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Antonio Rocco Lahr
• Grantee: Clara Gaspar Fossi de Souza
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Wood from tropical forests houses a vast diversity of species, providing a wide variety of derived products. However, the effective use of wood demands in-depth knowledge of its mechanical properties, which play an essential role in selecting appropriate species to meet specific requirements. Determining mechanical properties of wood generally requires large equipment, available mainly in some research centers. In this context, the application of microscopy technique presents itself as a promising alternative. Microscopes are easily accessible instruments and allow relevant information to be quickly obtained. The aim of this research is to investigate the feasibility of estimating mechanical properties of wood from different tropical wood species based on their anatomical parameters and apparent density, using regression models. The analysis will cover two species for each strength class established by ABNT NBR 7190-1:2022-3. Data will be collected on apparent density, strength and stiffness in compression parallel to grain, in compression perpendicular to grain, in tension parallel to grain, in static bending; shear strength and to embedding perpendicular to the fibers, and to embedding parallel to grain, to splitting; hardness, flexural impact resistance and anatomical parameters (vessel diameter, vessel frequency, ray height, ray width, fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen diameter and fiber wall thickness), according to the established codes. Subsequently, a multivariable regression model will be carried out to correlate these parameters with mechanical properties of the wood. The model will be tested with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 5%.