Destructive and Nondestructive E-Rating of Red Maple Veneers
| Authors: | Dalila Belaidi, Mostafa Mohammadabadi, Frederico França, Rubin Shmulsky, Xiping Wang, R. Daniel Seale |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Forest Products Laboratory |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.13073/FPJ-D-25-00015 |
| Source: | Forest Products Journal |
Abstract
In this study, the modulus of elasticity of red maple (Acer rubrum) veneer, a native species abundant in eastern North America, was evaluated. These veneer sheets were 3.5 mm thick by 304 mm wide by 2.44 m long. Over 500 specimens were visually graded and subjected to a nondestructive stress wave test to determine the dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEd). Subsequently, 60 specimens were selected for tensile testing to measure the static modulus of elasticity (MOEs). The average MOEd was 19.10 GPa, while the MOEs obtained from tensile testing was 11.88 GPa. This tension-based MOE value was very close to the bending test value for red maple lumber reported in the wood handbook (11.31 GPa). A regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of density and defects on MOE. The results showed that density has a greater effect on MOEd than defects. A correlation was also developed between MOEd and MOEs. The results showed that the MOEd was 60 percent higher than the MOEs, with a weak positive correlation (r = 0.40). The stress wave velocity, as affected by different factors such as density, defects, and fiber orientation, strongly correlated with MOEd.