The Elastic Constants of Spruce as Influenced by Moisture

Abstract

Previous investigations on the effect of moisture on the elastic constants of spruce have been confined to its effect on Young's modulus in the direction of the grain. The most important work in this connection is probably that of H. D. Tiemann, who deduced curves for pine spruce and chestnut showing that Young's modulus along the grain decreased as the moisture increased up to the fibre saturation point, and that further addition of moisture had little or no effect on the value of the modulus. Tiemann thus found that the modulus decreased to a minimum at the fibre saturation point and then remained nearly constant and independent of any further addition of moisture. The reason for the independence of the modulus on the moisture beyond the fibre saturation point becomes evident if it is considered that when the fibres are saturated, any further moisture added is retained in the cells and in all probability cannot further affect the stiffness and strength of the wood.