Elastic constants of chilean Pinus radiata using ultrasound
Author
Baradit, Erik
Fuentealba, Cecilia
Yáñez, Miguel
Abstract
Elastic constants of Pinus radiata were determined using ultrasound technique. In parallel, typical compression mechanical testing was carried out to compare the effectiveness of the nondestructive test using ultrasound technique. The longitudinal elastic constant values were similar to the mechanical testing (ultrasound technique was 12,8 % higher than mechanical testing), showing that ultrasound technique is a reliable and valid tool. The values for radial and tangential moduli obtained by ultrasound technique versus mechanical testing showed more differences. This may be due to the difficulty in obtaining adequate samples for mechanical testing. The symmetry of the shear modulus was revealed by ultrasound technique (Gij = Gji). Poisson’s ratios were not comparable using either method; however, values obtained by ultrasound technique were more consistent with the existing literature for Pinus species. Additionally, the elastic anisotropy of the analyzed wood samples was demonstrated through ultrasound velocity propagation in the material. It was thus possible to obtain the twelve engineering constants that characterize the mechanical behavior of wood by means of the proposed ultrasound technique.