ANALYSIS OF THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Pinus elliottii WOOD FOR APPLICATION IN PANELS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

Obtaining the physical properties of wood is essential for its proper classification in civil construction. Correctly classifying wood based on these properties ensures safety and efficiency in structures. This study aimed to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of Pinus elliottii, considering the presence of stains and pith. The tests evaluated density, shrinkage, compressive strength, and elasticity. The results showed that fungal stains negatively impact the strength and elasticity of wood. Samples without stains had an average elasticity of 14,726 MPa, while those with stains averaged 11389.3 MPa, a 22.6% reduction. In terms of strength, samples without stains registered 37.77 MPa, whereas those with stains had 30.06 MPa, representing a 20.4% decrease. Conversely, basic density, volumetric variation, and anisotropy factor showed no significant differences between treatments. Density variation was observed only in the presence of pith. These findings highlight that the presence of stains can compromise the mechanical performance of wood, making it an important factor in its classification for structural use.