IMPACT OF FUTURE MATERIALS AND PROCESSING ON NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS

Frank C. BEALL
Professor - University of California, Berkeley
Address: Richmond, California 94804, USA
E-mail: Frank.Beall@nature.berkeley.edu

Abstract: Solid wood currently has a distinct disadvantage with many other materials in our ability to accurately and rapidly assess its mechanical properties both in manufacturing and in service. The major change in the long-term future is the replacement of solid wood structural materials with reconstituted members.
In order to assess the role of NDE for wood-based structural materials in the future, certain assumptions must be addressed, including the raw material (juvenile wood, cost, resistance to biodeterioration, cost of adhesive), processing and products (continuous processes, minimizing impact of juvenile wood, need for structural grading, bonding efficiency), and the requirements in buildings. The role of NDE in that context will shift from the current issues to assessment of tree health, greater use in process control, verification testing, and stress detection in structures.
Initially in this paper, we will examine predictions made about one decade ago as to the barriers and opportunities for the use of NDE in the wood industry. Next, we will make assumptions for the long-term future (say the year 2100) issues that affect the need for NDE technology. Then, based on these scenarios, the role of NDE and means of accomplishing that role will be discussed.

Key words: non-destructive evaluation, juvenile wood, biodeterioration, adhesives, reconstituted wood, processing grading, structures, process control.

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