Comparative study of destructive, nondestructive, and numerical procedures for the determination of moisture dependent shear moduli in Scots pine wood

Abstract In this study, moisture dependent shear moduli in Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) wood were determined by a 45° off-axis (longitudinal, radial, and tangential) compression test and ultrasonic transverse wave propagation. Finite element modeling was performed to ascertain how the results agree with the numerical method. Ultrasonic transverse wave velocities on the LR, LT, and RT planes were decreased from 1347, 1323, and 589 m × s -1 to 1286, 1269, and 561 m × s -1 when relative humidity increased from 45 % to 85 % at a constant temperature of 20 ± 1 °C, respectively. The dynamic and static shear modulus on the LR, LT, and RT planes were decreased from 988, 953, and 189, and 966, 914, and 182 MPa to 927, 903, and 176, and 845, 784, and 154 MPa when relative humidity increased from 45 % to 85 % at a constant temperature of 20 ± 1 °C, respectively. Therefore, both velocity and modulus values at all principal axes and planes were decreased with an increase in moisture. Maximum (15.2 %) and minimum (2.3 %) differences between dynamic and the static shear modulus were observed for G LT at 85 % and G LR at 45 % relative humidity, respectively. Coefficients of determinations between the dynamic and static shear moduli were ranged from 0.68 (G LR at 65 % RH) to 0.97 (G LR at 85 % RH). Finite element analysis, only for 65 % RH values, was performed using Solid 45 element, and, according to results, load-deformation curves created by linear orthotropic material properties, are well-matched with the static curves.