PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY FOR ESTIMATING THE YOUNG’S MODULUS OF WOOD SPECIMENS

ABSTRACT Proposing technological innovations in the investigation of the structure and behaviour of wood is important to optimize its use. The assimilation of methods diffused in other areas, such as particle image velocimetry (PIV), can allow a rich range of information for different aspects. The aim of this study was to estimate the Young’s modulus using the PIV technique, independently of the wood density. The Young modulus value was obtained by universal testing machine, transversal vibration and PIV technique. Cedrela spp. and Eucalyptus cloeziana wood specimens were analyzed and their Young modulus were compared and correlated. The PIV technique presented mean Young’s modulus values statistically equal to those of the universal testing machine. The standard error of prediction from PIV approach was 0.46 and 0.97 GPa for Young’s modulus estimates for Cedrela spp. and Eucalyptus cloeziana wood, respectively.