Print Email Facebook Twitter Influence of slope of grain on the mechanical properties of tropical hardwoods and the consequences for grading Title Influence of slope of grain on the mechanical properties of tropical hardwoods and the consequences for grading Author Ravenshorst, G.J.P. (TU Delft Bio-based Structures & Materials) Gard, W.F. (TU Delft Bio-based Structures & Materials) van de Kuilen, J.W.G. (TU Delft Bio-based Structures & Materials; Technische Universität München) Date 2020 Abstract The main parameter that influences the bending strength of timber from tropical hardwood is the slope of grain. Although, in the grading rules, a specific threshold value is given, in these hardwoods, the global slope of grain is very difficult to quantify by visual assessment. The slope of grain measured after testing gives a better indication, but still it can only poorly describe the Hankinson relations. By rewriting the Hankinson relations, the slope of grain can be determined from the bending strength test values and from the MOE test value, both in combination with the density values and constants derived by non-linear regression analysis. These two values correlate very well, and the average value is designated as the theoretical slope of grain. With the theoretical slope of grain, five test samples of the tropical wood species okan were evaluated, and slope of grain values of 0.3 were observed, where 0.1 is the limit value. Because all pieces passed the visual grading method as applied in practice, slope of grain values should be incorporated in the strength class assignment test program, when these qualities cannot be ruled out for coming on the market. The (dynamic) modulus of elasticity can be used to evaluate the occurrence of the desired range of slope of grain values in the test samples. To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:cd00ebd1-f61e-44d0-a6fd-dbb696977043 DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-020-01575-0 ISSN 0018-3768 Source European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 78 (5), 915-921 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2020 G.J.P. Ravenshorst, W.F. Gard, J.W.G. van de Kuilen Files PDF Ravenshorst2020_Article_I ... nTheMe.pdf 1.75 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:cd00ebd1-f61e-44d0-a6fd-dbb696977043/datastream/OBJ/view