The Influence of Moisture in Bending Strength of Eucalypt Wood

ABSTRACT The study aimed to evaluate the dynamic bending strength of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus cloeziana woods when subject to different moisture conditions. Samples were divided into three moisture conditions (dry, air-conditioned and wet). The dynamic bending properties, density and equilibrium moisture content were evaluated. The collected data were analyzed through factorial analysis of variance. E. cloeziana wood in the wet condition was more resistant than the dried and air-conditioned samples. On the other hand, dynamic bending strength of E. grandis wood was not significant for the moisture conditions studied. E. cloeziana wood showed higher ability to absorb the impact than E. grandis wood. Both species were classified as low bending strength. Therefore, the use of these species should not be recommended in places with shock loads.