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Quality evaluation of standing trees
PAI with Morocco
Conclusion of the PAI MA/03/84 with Morocco. Research actions
recover: detection and characterization of wood defects in Cedar forests (Cedrus atlantica) and holm oak
(Quercus ilex) by mechanical, acoustical and electrical techniques. In this project, the thesis work of
Adil Dikrallah is also inserted (defended in 2007).
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
PRAD with Morocco
Study of cork quality: third and last year of the project PRAD 05-10 with Morocco
(Division de Recherche et Expérimentations Forestières), "Determination of technological characteristics of
reproduction cork and study of its variability". In 2007, an image analysis method for the characterization
of reproduction cork was tested. Statistical analysis of all results has been achieved. The final report is currently being written.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
BioGMID project
The ANR project "Biological
Growth Medium Integrity Diagnoses using bi-modality tomographies" (acronym BioGMID) begins in 2008.
Scientific background and objectives: woods and long bones are biological and natural growth-medium with
similarities related to their structure. These mediums are anisotropic, and are adapting itself in to the
environmental strength, and obviously in to the age. These changes result in variations that are much
more complex than anisotropy. Mechanical properties in any one principal direction vary in the growth-medium
as a result of gradual transition from juvenile to mature material.
The study and testing of the quality of these mediums can be achieved using X-ray tomography or echography.
The objective of the project is to propose an efficient and
optimized procedure of characterization and cross-sectional imaging of this kind of growth-medium.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Thesis project
A thesis project was proposed in early 2008 which subject is: "Genetic and environmental determinism of cellulose properties in secondary side walls of Eucalyptus wood fibres - Consequences on the variability of mechanical-physical and perceptual properties". Project's main partners are LMA (CNRS, Marseilles, France) and UFLA (Lavras, Brasil).
Convention for research collaboration
A convention for research collaboration was established in 2006 with the LMA (CNRS, Marseilles, France) and the CNDRI (INSA, Lyon, France) concerning two research topics on the noninvasive characterization of wood products or wood-based products:
- Topic 1 - Research of nondestructive testing methods allowing the discovery of compression failures in wood structures.
- Topic 2 - Noninvasive characterization of standing tree or wood’s structures.
This convention has facilitated the ANR BioGMID project's success (attached to topic 2, see above the
project description). Topic 1 of the convention has allowed realization of a part of research work in the
DGAC study about detection of compression
failures in timber structures (see below).
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Nondestructive evaluation tool for laboratory analysis
Bing
BING is a research and development
project led by CIRAD. It is related to the development of a measuring system of
acoustic vibrations aiming the evaluation of mechanical properties
and investigation of defects.
This project is a part of a priority set of themes which aim to develop uses of structural timber,
methods and techniques of classification intended to make the material reliable (in particular,
nondestructive testing).
The main interest of the wood industry for techniques which improve and helps to increase the use of
wood in structural use, pushed the European Community to establish new standardization policy. Definitely,
mechanical and physical intrinsic qualities of wood (example, an excellent ratio modulus of elasticity
to density), enable this material to favorably compete with other materials for the framework of
various types of construction. From now on, wood employed for structure purpose will have to follow
the requirements of European standards. The progressive replacement of the calculation rules for timber
structures using admissive constrain (rules CB 71) by those of limit states (Eurocode 5) implies a
precise and nondestructive evaluation of mechanical characteristics, in order to produce classifications
in agreement with Eurocode 5. For structural timber used in flexion (majority use) two mechanical
characteristics are to be taken into account: rigidity (modulus of elasticity) and resistance (bending
strength) such as they are defined in the standard.
Bing® registered trademark and Bing
software are both property of CIRAD and are protected by
INPI and
APP.
For more information, please visit Bing software web page.
For more information on vibratory analysis please refer to the
"Vibratory testing principle" article on
COFREND website.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Wisis
Realization of a device for auscultation of wood structures by vibration analysis in the acoustic domain.
This device was the ordering issue from the FCBA.
The product was delivered in 2006 and marketed by CIRAD under the denomination Wisis.
Wisis® trademark and Wisis software are both registered.
For more information, please visit Wisis software web page.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Mechanical classification of sawmill products (machine grading)
Automatic strength grading machine (CCI Lozere)
Second year in the collective action for the development of a
strength grading machine for structural timber. Public financed,
project presented by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie of Lozere (France) and the inter-professional
association Arfobois.
The purpose of this project is the development of an industrial machine for mechanical grading of wood, adapted to the
problems of the small carpentry manufacturing units, and certification of its ability for the classification
within the framework of the EC marking installation by the European Community. During the year 2007,
the machine called Noesys was realized (see picture), as well as
the nondestructive testing for device certification. Reference destructive testing will be made during the year 2008
by the FCBA.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Automatic strength grading machine (Luxscan)
Second year in the collaboration contract for the development and marketing of equipment for strength grading
of wood material with Luxscan
company (Luxembourg). The objective is first to develop and afterward to market an industrial device of mechanical classification for
wood products; the contract also includes the certification of its competence for the classification within
the framework of EC’s marking installation. This machine is adapted to big manufacturing units.
During the year 2007, the E-Scan strength grading machine (see photo) has been finalized and certification tests
have been made by the FCBA.
This measure is accompanied by ENSAM
(Cluny, France) as part of the creation of a wood material engineering technological platform at ENSAM Cluny whose
Tropical Wood UR is a partner. A thesis started related to this subject and the CIRAD's contribution will focus on
multivariate statistical methods and analysis procedure for the certification of the entire grading system.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Pines grading using vibrational analysis
First year of the research and valorization actions in the project "Selected strength and stiffness predictors from in-line
systems and vibrational analysis devices using chemometrical tools for structural grading of slash pine and
radiata pine". Project prepared by Henri Baillères,
the team staff being under contract with
DPI&F
(Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland, Australia).
Among the nondestructive techniques used for the tests is the Bing software.
Contact: Henri Baillères
Cocowood project
Cocowood project's full label is "Improving value and marketability of coconut wood".
In the Pacific region, large areas of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) have senesced and consequently,
copra yields are greatly reduced. The cost and phytosanitary implications of clearing senile palms are real
impediments to replanting. The production of flooring material from senile stems has been proposed as a solution to this problem.
This project therefore aims to develop appropriate processes and provide the technical information that will
underpin the manufacture and broad acceptance of coconut wood in the international high value flooring market.
For more information, please visit Cocowood's website.
Contact: Henri Baillères
Automatic strength grading machine (IVALSA)
End of the research project "Classificazione a macchina del legno strutturale italiano" of
IVALSA (Istituto per la valorizzazione
del legno e delle specie arboree, Firenze, Italy). The group is not involved as services supplier; our participation is
further the demonstration of the possibilities of Bing system for strength grading. During year 2007, statistical analysis of the performance
of the grading system Bing on Italian woods were carried out.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Industrial devices of nondestructive testing
Detection of delaminations
End of the contracts with IPRS and SITES companies, concerning the supply of equipments to detect delaminations
of an epoxy-fiber composite on concrete. The three devices were validated in real conditions of use.
Valorization of French patent n°0112338 (deposit date Novermber 11, 2001).
Development of these devices is the result of a 3 years work (2003 to 2006). The years 2007 to 2009 are
dedicated to monitoring prototypes Lidiaa II (contracts with the companies IPRS and SITES achieved in 2006).
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Nondestructive testing of wood parts of civil planes
End of the study in partnership with the FCBA, aiming the research into nondestructive
compression crack detection methods for wood structures (civil aviation). Contract with
the DGAC (n°06/084/MQ/FIN).
During year 2007 the nondestructive and destructive testing has been made; different techniques of nondestructive
control were tested. The final report was submitted and reviewed in early 2008, you can view it
in French and English on
civil aviation's website.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Apinov project
During year 2007 the Xylometry team participated to the preparation of the Apinov project from
Apisystems company. This project has obtained several awards and is supported by Languedoc Roussillon Incubation.
Apinov is a tool for decision and production help for beekeepers. It's automatic, easy to use and accessible
via the Internet, thus streamlining and optimizing for bee farming and production of honey depending
on the environmental conditions.
Contact: Loïc Brancheriau
Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Determining the durability of teak
Teak wood currently represents a market value increasingly high. It is recognized both for
its resistance to degradation agents and for its aesthetic technologic qualities.
Natural forests where it comes from are endangered or protected, while global demand
still grows. Today, sold teak wood comes mainly from plantations.
However, its natural durability can be very variable from one tree to another: if the teak wood
coming from natural forests offers a class 1* durability (very durable) or 2 (durable), one from
plantations varies from class 1 to class 4 (few durable).
The study of the natural durability of teak in a laboratory requires a 40 weeks period to get
results. CIRAD researchers and their partners have managed to obtain a period of analysis
of a few minutes only.
Their discovery: correlate analysis of the natural durability of teak wood,
depending on the age of the tree, its environment (soil, climate, geographical origin) and its genome,
with the variability of its chemical composition obtained by
NIRS.
For more information, please download the poster on the prediction of the
durability of teak (369 KB).
Contact: Gilles Chaix
* The natural durability is assessed from the European standard EN350-1.
Characterizing the chemical properties of woods
The fact that wood comprises lignin and cellulose, two major constituents whose respective proportions
determine whether a wood is suitable for charcoal or paper production, accounts for its undeniable
economic importance. CIRAD is working to pinpoint the genetic and environmental
factors that determine wood chemical characteristics, particularly lignin and cellulose content,
so as to select the best trees in eucalyptus breeding populations. While wood chemical analyses are
time-consuming and costly, applying NIRS to woods
makes it possible to assess the chemical characteristics of a large number of samples in a short time,
and enables genetic analyses of study populations.
These studies are being conducted on eucalyptus in partnership with the wood industry in Brazil, for
steel-making applications, and in Indonesia and Congo, for paper-making.
Contact: Gilles Chaix
Ravensara aromatica essential oil
Ravensara aromatica is a forest species endemic to Madagascar,
which is grown by small-scale producers for the essential oil that can be extracted from its
leaves and used in cosmetics. However, the species includes several chemical types,
and some trees produce a toxic oil. Ravensara aromatica essential oil producers often
see their products rejected by national collectors, resulting in a significant drop
in their income when they have already extracted the oil.
To control oil quality before extraction, CIRAD and
FOFIFA are working to
identify undesirable trees, while limiting the number of chemical analyses. They are looking
into using NIRS to detect chemical types on dry leaves, based
on data from a sample of trees also analysed in the conventional way. The results
of the study should enable it to help producers choose suitable trees on their land.
Contact: Gilles Chaix
Construction timber recycling
Wood preservatives extend wood durability by protecting it against insects, rot and the weather...
However, before recycling treated construction timber (to make charcoal, for burning, etc),
it is vital to identify the products used, as they may harm the environment. This requires
time-consuming, costly chemical analyses.
CIRAD and the Sylvadour laboratory for applied research on wood and wood byproducts
(Mont de Marsan, France), supported by the Landes Departmental Council, have shown
that NIRS can detect the molecules
used and treatment levels in maritime pine. This shows that NIRS could prove useful
for recycling firms in future. Nevertheless, the technique will have to be tested
on the main timber species used for construction purposes.
Contact: Gilles Chaix
Barrel wood quality
CIRAD and Ondalys, a chemometrics firm nurtured by the CEMAGREF enterprise centre, in association with CEMAGREF and
INRA, are working
on the phenol composition of the oak used to make wine barrels and chips,
and on its effect on wine sensory quality. The current study suggests that it may be possible
to use near-infrared optical sensors to identify quality woods at the sawmill,
and also to control byproduct heat levels before conversion into chips.
Contact: Gilles Chaix
