STATIC BENDING PROPERTIES OF Carya illinoinensis WOOD IN TWO MOISTURE CONTENT CONDITIONS

This work aimed to determinate static bending properties (elasticity and strength) of Carya illinoinensis wood in two moisture conditions through of density. For this, five adult trees were felled in the physiographic regions of the Central Depression and the Upper Slopes of the Northeast regions, both in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. For each tree, were removed logs with 2.5 m of length to realize sawing and, later, specimen production with dimension of 2.5 x 2.5 x 41 cm, high dimension to axial direction. The static bending tests were realized with the wood saturated with water (green wood) and theequilibrium moisture content of 12% (dry wood). The results indicate that the presence of water in the timber substantially reduces the values of elasticity and strength. Furthermore, the use of the density is adequate to estimate elasticity and strength properties of Carya illinoinensis wood, both dry wood at 12% moisture content as to the condition of water saturation.