Compressive and Bending Strength Variations in the Properties of Portuguese Clear Oak Wood

Abstract

Within-stem variation in the mechanical properties of Portuguese oak wood was analysed, considering different locations (three sites in the centre and north of Portugal—Site 1, Site 2, Site 3) and positions within the tree (two distances to pith—P1, P2). The study comprised compression parallel to the grain, bending strength and modulus of elasticity. Ultimately, this study aims at assuring the building of a body of knowledge on the technological quality and processing options for this species. The results showed for one provenance, Site 1, a significant effect of the distance to pith in the mechanical properties, which can be related to a different soil composition. For this provenance, a decrease in the compression and bending strength was verified from pith to bark. For the other provenances (Site 2 and Site 3), no effect was noticed. The overall behaviour showed noticeable correlations between the mechanical properties and density.