Investigation into image technology of timber for the assessment of structural performance of fresh-cut oak tree joints (Quercus Robur L.)

Abstract

The Institution of Civil Engineers in their first Royal Charter quoted 'Civil Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of mankind'.

Looking at the fundamental design and stability of the tree branch connection ('Global Joint') response to loading through biomimicry can inspire designs using infrastructure materials. This project develops the process of strain monitoring image technology on timber to analyse the mechanical behaviour of the fibres internal to a Global Joint.

The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is applied to images taken during British Standard structural tension tests of batten samples of timber ('Components‘) taken from an Oak tree Global Joint. A detailed process is described by which results from the PIV were extrapolated and the interpretation techniques used on the resulting contour plots. The resulting contour plot shows the impending failure of the Component as the tension is applied during the test. The sequential images taken during the test allow the strain values to be evaluated. This means the interaction of the visible timber surface fibres during testing can be analysed without the need for strain gauges or alterations to the Component.

The Components are structurally analysed individually and then reformed back to present the natural structural design of the Global Joint. The PIV strain results from the tension tested Components are combined with the peak stress values to find the structural performance of the interior of the Global Joint. This re-formation enables the analysis of the natural structural design facilitating the review of the internal workings.

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