Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Tamara Franca

Committee Member

C. Elizabeth Stokes

Committee Member

C. Adam Senalik

Date of Degree

8-6-2021

Original embargo terms

Worldwide

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Sustainable Bioproducts

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Sustainable Bioproducts

Abstract

The study of mechanical properties of perpendicular to the grain research is important regarding connections within mass paneling and other wood connections. Research on wood properties perpendicular to grain and the effect of decay on this direction is needed. Brown-rot fungi are a major contributor in having to replace or repair wooden members; therefore, the objectives of this study were to study the effect brown-rot decay has on the mechanical properties of perpendicular to the grain over different periods of exposure; and to evaluate the efficacy of various methods on assessing decay on wood. The methods evaluated in this study were mass loss (ML), moisture content (MC), density, time of flight, modulus of elasticity in tension (ET) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). In this study, low mean values of ML occurred but due to fungal activity, MC of specimens were highly affected. Among all methods tested, time of flight showed the highest significant correlations with ET and UTS. Neither initial or final time of flight correlated with MC, concluding NDT was the most consistent method in identifying early decay on mechanical properties of wood.

Sponsorship

USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, McIntire Stennis project accession number 1021191

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