Bending creep performance of modified timber

The present study is a supplement to Epmeier and Kliger (2005), which investigated the effect of three different modification methods (acetylation, modification with methylated melamine resin and heat treatment in vegetable oil) on four material properties (density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), creep deflection and relative creep) and their inter-relations. In this study, another modification method (furfurylation) and four additional material parameters (“relative stiffness”, i.e. MOE/density, moisture content, change in moisture content and anti-creep efficiency) and their correlations are included. In addition, the creep curves were analysed to assess the development of bending creep performance. The properties were assessed by experimental work on 132 specimens of Scots pine sapwood with dimensions of 45×70×1100 mm³. It was found that modification leads to significant changes in material properties. Furfurylation increases density and reduces creep deflection, relative creep and moisture content. Modified timber tends to deflect and creep significantly less than untreated timber. However, the extent of reduction in relative creep appears not to be related to the extent of reduction in creep deflection. Initial deflection and/or modulus of elasticity are suitable for predicting the creep deflection of untreated and modified timber.