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Physico-chemical indicators of inter-specific variability in vibration damping of wood

Annals of Forest Science volume 67, page 707 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

  • • The vibration damping coefficient (tanδ) of wood is an important property for acoustical uses, including musical instruments. Current difficulties in the availability of some of the preferred species call for diversification, but this comes up against the lack of systematic damping coefficient data.

  • • Keeping in mind the possible factors affecting tanδ, could we predict its variations between species, by using indicators that are either easily measured and/or readily available for many species?

  • • Vibrational properties, equilibrium moisture content and colorimetric parameters were assessed on 94 wood types belonging to 76 species. Experimental results were then related to data on chemical contents and physical properties from the CIRAD database. The “standard” relationship between tanδ and specific modulus of elasticity (E’/ρ) explained only half of the variations. Deviations from this trend were correlated to extractives content, yet effects were not directly quantitative. Damping deviations were also correlated to colour and moisture-related properties, especially so with fibre saturation point.

  • • By taking into account a combination of moisture-related properties, colour — or extractives content, and the “standard” relationship between tanδ and E’/ρ, we could propose simple predictive models which explain up to 89% of observed variations in tanδ between 48 species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil, CNRS, Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, cc 048, 34095, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Iris Brémaud

  2. Laboratory of Forest Resources Circulatory System, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, 606-8522, Kyoto, Japan

    Iris Brémaud & Kazuya Minato

  3. Production et valorisation des bois tropicaux et méditerranéens, CIRAD PERSYST Department, TA B40/16, BP 5035, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Patrick Langbour

  4. CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane, BP 316, 97379, Kourou Cedex, French Guyana

    Bernard Thibaut

Authors
  1. Iris Brémaud
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  2. Kazuya Minato
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  3. Patrick Langbour
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  4. Bernard Thibaut
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Correspondence to Iris Brémaud.

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Brémaud, I., Minato, K., Langbour, P. et al. Physico-chemical indicators of inter-specific variability in vibration damping of wood. Ann. For. Sci. 67, 707 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2010032

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2010032

Keywords

  • damping coefficient
  • diversity of woods
  • extractives
  • physical properties
  • vibrational properties

Annals of Forest Science

ISSN: 1297-966X