Detection and Assessment of Wood Decay in Glulam Beams Using a Decay Rate Approach: A Review

Abstract

A glulam beam is subjected to X-ray computer tomography and acousto-ultrasonic measurements to detect and assess wood decay. A glulam beam without visible indications of wood decay was taken from field use. A modified impulse-echo technique is employed as an inspection method requiring access to only one side of the beam. It is observed that decay-rate analysis of the collected signals allows detection and assessment of wood decay. The decay-rate approach leads to an overall rate of false calls of 7.2%. Considering the variability that exists in wood including the presence of splits, orientation and thickness of growth rings, etc., this relative low rate of false calls makes this approach very attractive. The results of the decay-rate analysis are found to be consistent with decay located using X-ray computer tomography. This paper is a review of findings first presented in (Senalik et al. 2010).

Citation

Senalik, C. Adam 2013 Detection and Assessment of Wood Decay in Glulam Beams Using a Decay Rate Approach: A Review. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report, FPL-GTR-226, 2013; pp. 572-575.