P_2.1.6 separate

The partitioning of timber or engineered wood products, respectively, plays a great role with a view to mechanical characteristics. At the beginning, there is the chopping of the timber from the log which in itself entails a dissolution of the trunk structure and, therefore, the mechanical properties involved. Through positioning the log, the log diameter and the chosen cut deliberate changes can be brought about. Depending on the log diameter and cut, parameters change, and the optimum has to be found for the final product. And then, again, depending on the final product, yet another change has to be made as far as the sawn timber or cross section is concerned. Looking at the glulam production, the individual board can once more be partitioned before being glued, or the entire cross section split (“resawing”). With solid construction timber, too, there is often a partitioning of the initial cross section. In order to be able to determine the effects of changing a structure to the mechanical properties involved, conclusions concerning any further processing steps must be able to be made, experimentally, on the basis of the log. On the other hand, however, the use of statistics can help to single out theoretical models and in this way locate the mechanical properties situation at various degrees of partitioning. Once the potential of each degree of partitioning is established, the results gained can be used for the development of new products or the further development of well-introduced timber products, respectively.

The objective of this project is the examination of the varying mechanical properties in the course of the partitioning of the initial material, the log. Starting with locating the optimum cut both with strong and weak woods, the performance potential of the sawn timber as well as, finally, of the end product, can thus be best exploited or implemented, respectively. This project is envisaged to contain theoretical and experimental aspects and combine the two. Depending on the degree of partitioning, the decisive influential parameters shall be analysed and documented and in this manner find their way into theoretical models. In order to be able to apply the theme of partitioning on an industrial scale, an automated procedure shall be established which allows for a partitioning that will result in a harvest of firmness and rigidity specific parameters of sorted sawn timber at a quality assurance level.