Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber

This study investigates how the use of a Hitman ST300 acoustic sensor can help identify the best forest stands to be used as supply sources for the production of Machine Stress-Rated (MSR) lumber. Using two piezoelectric sensors, the ST300 measures the velocity of a mechanical wave induced in a stan...

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Main Authors: Alexis Achim, Peter Carter, David Auty, Normand Paradis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2013-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/13/3/3394
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spelling doaj-f15bdb9a4a14499b8a417665b82919062020-11-24T21:36:28ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202013-03-011333394340810.3390/s130303394Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded LumberAlexis AchimPeter CarterDavid AutyNormand ParadisThis study investigates how the use of a Hitman ST300 acoustic sensor can help identify the best forest stands to be used as supply sources for the production of Machine Stress-Rated (MSR) lumber. Using two piezoelectric sensors, the ST300 measures the velocity of a mechanical wave induced in a standing tree. Measurements were made on 333 black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees from the North Shore region, Quebec (Canada) selected across a range of locations and along a chronosequence of elapsed time since the last fire (TSF). Logs were cut from a subsample of 39 trees, and sawn into 77 pieces of 38 mm × 89 mm cross-section before undergoing mechanical testing according to ASTM standard D-4761. A linear regression model was developed to predict the static modulus of elasticity of lumber using tree acoustic velocity and stem diameter at 1.3 m above ground level (R2 = 0.41). Results suggest that, at a regional level, 92% of the black spruce trees meet the requirements of MSR grade 1650Fb-1.5E, whilst 64% and 34% meet the 2100Fb-1.8E and 2400Fb-2.0E, respectively. Mature stands with a TSF < 150 years had 11 and 18% more boards in the latter two categories, respectively, and therefore represented the best supply source for MSR lumber.http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/13/3/3394acoustic sensorsforestry wood chainwood stiffnessmachine stress-rated lumber
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Alexis Achim
Peter Carter
David Auty
Normand Paradis
spellingShingle Alexis Achim
Peter Carter
David Auty
Normand Paradis
Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber
Sensors
acoustic sensors
forestry wood chain
wood stiffness
machine stress-rated lumber
author_facet Alexis Achim
Peter Carter
David Auty
Normand Paradis
author_sort Alexis Achim
title Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber
title_short Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber
title_full Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber
title_fullStr Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber
title_full_unstemmed Using a Standing-Tree Acoustic Tool to Identify Forest Stands for the Production of Mechanically-Graded Lumber
title_sort using a standing-tree acoustic tool to identify forest stands for the production of mechanically-graded lumber
publisher MDPI AG
series Sensors
issn 1424-8220
publishDate 2013-03-01
description This study investigates how the use of a Hitman ST300 acoustic sensor can help identify the best forest stands to be used as supply sources for the production of Machine Stress-Rated (MSR) lumber. Using two piezoelectric sensors, the ST300 measures the velocity of a mechanical wave induced in a standing tree. Measurements were made on 333 black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees from the North Shore region, Quebec (Canada) selected across a range of locations and along a chronosequence of elapsed time since the last fire (TSF). Logs were cut from a subsample of 39 trees, and sawn into 77 pieces of 38 mm × 89 mm cross-section before undergoing mechanical testing according to ASTM standard D-4761. A linear regression model was developed to predict the static modulus of elasticity of lumber using tree acoustic velocity and stem diameter at 1.3 m above ground level (R2 = 0.41). Results suggest that, at a regional level, 92% of the black spruce trees meet the requirements of MSR grade 1650Fb-1.5E, whilst 64% and 34% meet the 2100Fb-1.8E and 2400Fb-2.0E, respectively. Mature stands with a TSF < 150 years had 11 and 18% more boards in the latter two categories, respectively, and therefore represented the best supply source for MSR lumber.
topic acoustic sensors
forestry wood chain
wood stiffness
machine stress-rated lumber
url http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/13/3/3394
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