Evaluation of Eucalyptus microcorys wood properties

Abstract

Eucalypt varieties have been identified as multipurpose materials. With origins in those nations of Oceania, this genus has been applied for purposes such as pulp and paper, bioenergy, civil construction, and furniture. Very suitable as firewood and charcoal, Eucalyptus microcorys would have good potentialities as structural solutions for construction. But, this wood species is not easily found as building parts in the Brazilian market. This paper aimed to develop a broad evaluation of this species to highlight their features for the utilization as structural lumber. Based on the Brazilian standard document on wooden structures, sixteen properties were evaluated to emphasize such potentialities. Using two moisture contents, these conditions were adopted to identify each wood property at green and dried points. About 966 repeats were realized in these tests. Nine properties showed influences with the moisture reduction as well as perceptible increases in their resistances: static bending, parallel and perpendicular compressions, and parallel tensile in the modulus of rupture; perpendicular compression and parallel tensile in the modulus of elasticity; and, shear stress and hardness properties in parallel and perpendicular directions. Eucalyptus microcorys wood reached good resistance properties, justifying its potentiality for construction in structural uses.