Engineering properties of wood under different drying methods

This project work focuses on the comparison of the engineering properties of Pyrus communis under solar and air-drying method. Green samples of the wood were dried simultaneously in both solar kiln and open air for 15 days. The daily moisture content reduction (%MC) under both drying conditions were observed and recorded. Mechanical tests (shear strength, compressive strength, hardness and tensile strength) were conducted. The results showed that open air-dried woods attained fibre saturation point (30-25%MC) within three days. Timbers dried in solar kiln attained lower %MC (12.9, 11.0, 14.3, 12.3) when compared to open-air dried samples (22.1, 18.5, 21.1, 17.1). For all the mechanical tests conducted, solar kiln dried timber had higher mechanical properties than the open air-dried woods.