Mechanical properties and durability of some selected timber species

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study physical properties, strength and durability of some timber species commercially used in Bangladesh. Seven timber species namely Teak (Tectona grandis), Sal (Shorea robusta), Sil Korai (Albizia procera), Rain Tree (Samanea saman), Jam (Syzygium spp.), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophylus), and Mango (Mangifera indica) were tested for density, specific gravity, compressive, tensile and bending strength following ASTM standards. Four different kinds of chemical environments consisting of normal water, sodium chloride (5%), sodium sulphate (10%) and hydrochloric acid (5%) were made and tested for durability in terms of strength loss over a period of 90 days. The test results revealed that Sal, Teak and Jam were the best species of using as compression member while Sal and Teak showed the best performance in tension. In static bending Sal, Sil Korai, Teak and Jam have been found suitable. With respect to durability acidic environment has been shown to be the most aggressive agent. Saline water was comparatively safer for all kinds of timber species. Overall, the Rain Tree showed excellent performance in all chemical environments having minimum loss of strength, and Sil Korai has been found to be the most vulnerable one to the same environments among all the timber species.