5.

2 Grading by weight
If placed on two supports, timber tends to deflect by its own weight. The degree of
deflection is an indicator for its stiffness, which again reflects upon its mechanical
properties. A simple device fitted with a deflection scale or gauge can be installed to
grade the lumber (Figures 30, 31). The deflection is given in Table 10.

Fig. 30: Deflection grader for coconut wood

Source Sulc, 1983

Fig. 31: Simple deflection grader

Source: Lockyear, 1983

 Table 10: Coconut wood deflection chart

Board Board thickness Deflection in mm at mid-lenght of "green"

length coconut wood
(mm) (mm) (in) Grades
HD MD LD
6000 50 2.0 0-135 136-193 above 193
38 1.5 0-196 197 -262 above 262
25 1.0 0-346 347-960 above 960
5500 50 2.0 0- 76 77-109 above 109
38 1.5 0-111 112-148 above 148
25 1.0 0-262 263-469 above 469
5000 50 2.0 0- 42 43- 60 above 60
38 1.5 0- 60 60- 80 above 80
25 1.0 0-185 186-252 above 252
4500 50 2.0 0- 27 27- 38 above 38
38 1.5 0- 42 43- 57 above 57
25 1.0 0-134 13-182 above 182
4000 50 2.0 0- 12 13- 16 above 16
38 1.5 0- 25 26- 34 above 34
50 2.0 0- 7 8- 10 above 10
38 1.5 0- 16 17- 22 above 22
25 1.0 0- 52 53- 71 above 71
3000 50 2.0 0- 3 3- 4 above 4
38 1.5 0- 7 23- 30 above 30
Source Sulc, 1983

5.3 Basic density determination

Basic density measurement is the safest method to determine the timber grade. It is
based on the close relationship between density and mechanical properties for the lower
part of the stem. Basic density is calculated as oven-dry weight of a sample divided by
its green volume. The procedure is simple but time-consuming and therefore should only
be applied for counter-checks. Density is closely related to hardness. The Janka
hardness test measures the pressure required to press a steel ball of 13 mm diameter
into a timber sample over the same distance. Tests in Tonga have shown that the
hardness of high density material from the periphery of butt logs rates about 10800
newton(N) at 12%moisturecontent,with hardly any difference between radial and
tangential sides. European Oak, in comparison, shows only about 5500 N. For its
simplicity, the grading system recommended is the deflection rating jointly applied with
visual grading as described.
5.4 Pilodyn grading
The Pilodyn-equipment(Schulte, 1991) is a handy tool weighing about 1 kg, which can
easily be handcarried into the plantation. It consists of a steel nail which is driven into the
wood by releasing a spring with a predetermined energy (6,12 or 18 Joule). Nails of
different diameters (2-6 mm) can be inserted into the tool. A scale shows the depth of
penetration into the timber. The depth of penetration is closely related to the density of
the timber and in turn with its modulus of elasticity (MoE) and modulus of rupture (MoR).
The best results were achieved with 6 J-tools and nail diameters of 2.5 mm.
6 Seasoning
For most timber products prior seasoning or wood-drying is essential. It reduces the
presence of water in the wood and thus reduces the danger of movement, once the
timber is in use. It also reduces the danger of fungal attack and improves the mechanical
properties of the wood.
Coconut palm wood has an initial moisture content ranging from 60 % (high density}
up to 230 % (low density). In order to reduce the costs of seasoning, it is recommended
to air-dry the lumber under roofing at least to fibre saturation point (for coconut wood 24
%) before kiln-drying. Due to its high moisture content and its relatively high sugar and
starch content, this material easily attracts fungi, mould and insects during air-
seasoning. A dip treatment before stacking (see Chapter 7} is therefore important. There
is no significant difference between radial and tangential shrinkage. For HD and MD
coconut wood shrinkage is moderate. The LD material, however, tends to develop cell
collapse (see also Meier,1991).
Dry coconut wood needs higher cutting force during processing (see Chapter 8) than
fresh material, it also produces more dust. In order to reduce the cutting energy required
and to minimize the production of "free" dust, it is therefore advised to execute a II
further processing possible priorto drying the coconut wood.

6.1 Moisture content assessment

Moisture content describes the amount of water in the wood at a given time in
relationship to the material's dry weight. Water occurs in different forms in wood, i.e. as
free water, capillary water and chemically bound water. The moisture content is
influenced by various factors, amongst others by the ambienttemperature and the
relative humidity of the air.
The moisture content wood finally reaches in a given climate is called the equilibrium
moisture content (emc).
The purpose of timber drying is to remove the water without defects developing in the
wood. "The art of successful seasoning lies in maintaining a balance between the
evaporation of water from the surface of timber and the movement of water from the
interior of the wood to the surface" (Desch, 1981). In order to achieve this, the moisture
content in the wood has to be monitored during the seasoning process. Since wood
becomes lighter, once it looses its water content, this monitoring can be done through
regular weighing of sample boards. The results are then calculated according to the
formulas given in Table 11. The moisture content can also be assessed with the help of
a battery-driven moisture meter. The commercial moisture meters are reliable below the
fibre saturation point (for coconut palm wood 24 %). The moisture meter is a handy tool
and a must in any seasoning operation.
When kiln-drying, the kiln climate can be controlled by help of the Keylwerth-chart
(Figure 32).
 Fig. 32: Keylwerth-chart for assessment of wood moisture content

Relative Air Humidity g

Moisture content equilibrium of timber (according to R. Keylwerth and data from the U.S. Products Laboratory,
Madison 1951)
(Example: With a dry-bulb temperature =45 C and a relative air humidity L= 55 % respectively a wet bulb
temperature f = 36 C the wood equilibrium moisture content is GL = 9 %.
o

Source: Sulc, 1984, 1

 In order to produce homogenous seasoning results during kiln-drying and to prevent
season ing defects, the batches should always consist of boards belonging to the same
density group. During kiln-drying it is recommended to put weight on top of the stack to
prevent bow or spring. This can be achieved with clamps and springs which can be
manufactured locally (Figure 33}.

Fig. 33: Timber stack with pressure clamps

Source: Hildebrand, 1979

Provision has to be made for sample boards in the stack, which are checked for their
moisture content first at daily intervals, and during conditioning every two hours. The
initial moisture content is assessed by oven-dry method. The later calculation can be
done by weighing the test sample and calculating the moisture content back with the
following formulas:

Table 11: Formulas for moisture content assessment

Initial moisture content of

wood

Sample moisture content

Mci = initial Moisture content

Smc = Sample moisture content
Wc = Weight current
Wod = Weight oven-dry
Ww = Weight wet
6.2 Stacking
To allow timber to dry evenly, it has to be stacked properly, irrespective of the drying
method applied. Between the stacked layers of boards, stickers have to be placed to
allow ventilation of the stack. All stickers should be of the same size (Table 12} and
should have been treated before use.

Table 12: Recommended sticker sizes (mm) and distribution

Thickness Thickness Width Distance

up to 30 16 25 400 - 800
31 and above 25 25 600 -1000
The stickers should be arranged in line one above the other in order to distribute the
weight evenly. The stacks should be arranged in such a way that the prevailing winds
can pass through them (Figures 34 - 37, Photos 39, 40).

Fig. 34: Possible arrangement for drying stacks

(note concrete or stone footing under stack)

Source: Sulc, 1984, 1

 Fig. 35: Foundation of stack with coconut round wood, squared on two sides

Source: Sulc, 1984, 1

Fig. 36: Stacking of short pieces of wood

Source: Sulc, 1984, 1