NONDESTRUCTIVE PREDICTION OF BENDING STRENGTH OF PINUS MASSONIANA LAMB. LOGS AND SMALL CLEAR SPECIMENS USING STRESS-WAVE MEASUREMENTS

The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between stress-wave velocity measured in logs and small clear specimens and the bending strength of Pinus massoniana trees planted in northern Vietnam. Stress-wave velocity (SWVL) and green wood density (WDL) were measured on logs collected from different heightlevels of 23-year-olds P. massonianatrees. Stress-wave velocity (SWVS), wood density (WDS), and bending strength (MOR) were subsequently determined on small clear specimens prepared from the logs. Regression analyses revealed significant correlations between SWVL and MOR (r = 0.73, P < 0.001) and between SWVS and MOR (r = 0.80, P < 0.001). These results show that stress-wave velocity measurements, whether taken on logs or small specimens, are effective for segregating P. massoniana lumber resources based on MOR. A more accurate prediction of strength was obtained when stress-wave velocity and log or specimen wood density were used together to calculate the dynamic modulus of elasticity of logs (DMOEL) or specimens (DMOES), respectively. The correlation coefficients were 0.82 (P < 0.001) between DMOEL and MOR, and 0.93 (P < 0.001) between DMOES and MOR.

THE INFLUENCE OF TREE AGE AND RADIAL POSITION ON THE STRESS-WAVE VELOCITY AND TIMBER PROPERTIES OF PINUS MASSONIANA LAMB. PLANTED IN VIETNAM

The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of tree age and radial position on the structural properties, asair-dry density (AD), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the stress-wave velocity measured on small specimens (SWVS). Results of analysis showed a highly significant effect of age and radial position on the SWVS, AD, MOR, and MOE. Stress-wave velocity and wood property traits tend to increase with increasing tree age. The SWVS and selected wood properties near the pith were significantly lower than those near the bark. Mean MOR and MOE of the timber had significantly (P<0.001) relationships with SWVS (r = 0.75 and 0.91, respectively), although in the case of MOR a model based on AD alone is slightly better (r = 0.79). There were also significant relationships of acoustic velocity measured in standing trees (SWVT) with mechanical properties measured destructively in small specimens implying that stress-wave method has a good potential for measuring static bending properties of P. massonianaplanted in Vietnam

RADIAL AND AMONGCLONAL VARIATIONS OF TRANSVERSE SHRINKAGE AND BASIC DENSITY IN 5-YEAR-OLDACACIA AURICULIFORMIS CLONES PLANTED IN VIETNAM

This study investigatedtransverse shrinkages and wood density for Acacia auriculiformis trees from six clones planted in north-central Vietnam. Radial and among-clonal variations of partial and total shrinkages in tangential (respective to Tn and T) and radial (respective to Rn and R) directions, partial and total coefficient of anisotropy (respective to Tn/Rn and T/R), and basic density (BD) were examined. There were significant differences among clones for Rn and R, but no significant differences were found among clones for Tn and T. The lowest average Rn and R were detected in clones Clt18 and Clt26, suggesting that these clones might be more appropriate for breeding programs focused on improving shrinkage traits for sawn timber production. BD is not a good indicator for predicting transverse shrinkages. In contrasts, stress wave velocity measured in standing trees has the potential to be used as a non-destructive method for predicting the transverse shrinkage of A. auriculiformis planted in Vietnam