Abstract:
Among properties which characterize the application of silver fir wood (Abies alba
Mill.) in buildings is its static bending strength. In the framework of improvement of this
mechanical property, a comparative experimental investigation was performed with sodium
chloride (NaCl) treated and non-treated silver fir wood with regard to modulus of rupture and
modulus of elasticity, based on mechanical tests performed according to norms ISO 3133 and
3349.
From 48 samples with dimensions 20x20x300 mm, 24 of them were full covered with
solid NaCl for a period of 60 days. The samples were sawn from boards produced from fir
logs of the area of Librazhdi, in central Albania. After weight percent gain was calculated, the
treated and non treated samples were conditioned and tested by means of mechanical testing
machine, in the Faculty of Forestry Sciences of Tirana.
The weight percent gain of treated wood resulted 9.56%. The static bending strength
of non treated fir resulted 81 N/mm2, while for treated wood 16.32% higher. With regard to
modulus of elasticity treated wood presented a value equal to 12493 N/mm2, 8.83% higher
than non treated wood.
In the framework of a quantitative and qualitative analysis, measured values of the
rupture and elasticity modulus in static bending of non treated wood were compared with
respective values of fir wood from the literature. No significant variations were noted.
Although the complexity of factors that affect on the performance of wooden
construction, NaCl treated fir wood appears to bring more security for use in buildings.
