Effects of Growth Ring Width, Height from Tree Base, and Loading Direction on Transverse Compression of Plantation Japanese Larch Wood

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of growth ring width, height from the tree base, and loading direction on the transverse compressive strength of Japanese larch wood, which is commonly used in wood structures in China. Plantation wood is often used to replace natural forest woods for reconstruction purposes, despite significant differences in properties (e.g., growth rings, density, strength) between them. The ends of transversely compressed wood members in such structures are prone to damage by breaking or crushing. A transverse compressive test was conducted following Chinese national standards, which revealed the following key findings. (1) There was a significant difference in the transverse compressive strength of wood with different growth ring widths (p p radial > slant.

Keywords

• Japanese larch
• growth ring width
• transverse compressive strength
• height from tree base
• loading direction