Evaluation of the mechanical and dynamic properties of scrimber wood produced from date palm fronds

Abstract

Abstract This study evaluated the mechanical properties of the scrimber wood produced from date palm fronds and compared it to other wood-based materials. The raw materials for the production of the scrimber wood were date palm fronds. The scrimber wood was produced using a fabrication process that included the following stages: washing, cutting, burning, and gluing the pieces. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the scrimber wood produced using date palm fronds were very similar to those of other woods used for the same purpose. It was found that the wood produced was strong enough to hold several heavy objects without deforming or breaking. In addition, no defects, such as cracks or holes, were observed on the surface of the wood after processing. The results revealed that frond-scrimber trees recorded the largest deflection before fracture due to their fibrous features. The fibrous structure of the frond scrim may explain its strength and durability, as it successfully supplied samples with high fracture points, similar to hardwood, and prolonged maximum displacement, similar to certain softwoods. The dynamic characterization of the scrimber wood specimens reveals their inherent frequencies, mode forms, damping ratios, and other dynamic properties; such insights may help forecast their performance under different loads.