The Relationships between Fiber Parameters and Mechanical Properties of Timber Species. P. 190–200

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674

DOI:

10.37482/0536-1036-2026-1-190-200

Abstract

This study investigates the variations in mechanical properties and fiber parameters, along with wood densities, of 7 timber species commonly used in Sri Lanka’s furniture industry as a promising one. Key parameters measured include wood density, compressive strength (both parallel and perpendicular to grain), and static bending properties, following the standards outlined in BS 373:1957. Mechanical tests have been conducted using a universal testing machine (UTM-100PC), while fiber paramters have been analyzed via a modified Franklin’s method. The results indicate no significant correlations between fiber parameters (fiber length, diameter, and wall thickness) and mechanical properties such as compression and bending strengths, including modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. However, the fiber parameters have exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing wood density. Notably, timber species with higher density and elevated Runkel ratios have demonstrated greater strength values, suggesting the influence of fiber wall thickness relative to pore size on mechanical performance. The findings obtained imply that wood density and fiber structural ratios play a more critical role in determining strength than isolated fiber dimensions. The study contributes to a better understanding of the physical and mechanical behavior of local timber species and provides valuable data for optimizing timber selection and processing in Sri Lanka’s furniture manufacturing sector.

Authors

Chaminda Muthumala¹, PhD; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9358-7717
Indika Arunakumara², Prof.; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7081-0215
Sudhira De Silva³, PhD, Prof.; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0804-5097
Anura Alwis ⁴, Prof.; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8888-4952
Faiz Marikar^5*, Director; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4579-7263

Affiliation

¹State Timber Corporation, Sampathpaya, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla, 10120, Sri Lanka; ck_muthumala@yahoo.com
²Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, 1100, Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka; kkiuaruna@crop.ruh.ac.lk
³Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Wakwella Road, Galle, 80000, Sri Lanka; sudhira@cee.ruh.ac.lk
⁴Department of Agricultural Engineering & Environmental Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Matara-Kamburupitiya Road, Mapalana, 81100, Sri Lanka; aalwis@ageng.ruh.ac.lk
⁵General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Kandawala Road, Ratmalana, 10390, Sri Lanka; faiz@kdu.ac.lk*

Keywords

density, fiber properties, mechanical test, timber

For citation

Muthumala C., Arunakumara I., De Silva S., Alwis A., Marikar F. The Relationships between Fiber Parameters and Mechanical Properties of Timber Species. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2026, no. 1, pp. 190–200. https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-1-190-200

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