A comparative study on the velocities of stress wave propagation in standing Fraxinus mandshurica trees in frozen and non-frozen states

Abstract

In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of identifying wood defects and to realize the maximum wood utilization of trees, we employed an experimental method to test the stress wave propagation velocity in standing Fraxinus mandshurica trees selected from the Harbin Forest Experimental Station in winter. Thirty standing trees in good conditions were taken as test specimens and stress wave propagation velocities were measured using a FAKOPP Microsecond Timer in trees in both fall and winter. The test data were processed with the aid of Excel and SPSS software. The results show that 1) the velocities in longitudinal and radial stress wave propagation in frozen F. mandshurica trees were much higher than those in the non-frozen trees; 2) there was a highly positive correlation between longitudinal stress wave propagation velocity in frozen and non-frozen states, with a correlation coefficient of 0.82, as well as a positive correlation between radial stress wave propagation velocity in frozen and non-frozen states with a correlation coefficient of 0.87; 3) in the frozen state, the longitudinal stress wave propagation velocity was significantly affected by the moisture content (MC) of standing tree, while it was not obvious in the non-frozen state and 4) the radial stress wave propagation velocity was not significantly affected by MC in either frozen or non-frozen state.

Keywords

stress wave / Fraxinus mandshurica / frozen state / non-frozen state / propagation velocity / moisture content