African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Correlation between density and other mechanical wood properties of Ficus Exasperata (Vahl) along axial plane

*David-Sarogoro, N¹. and ²Emerhi, E. A.

¹Department of Forestry and Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

P.M.B. 5080.

²Department of Forestry & Wildlife Management, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 July, 2020 

Abstract

This study examined correlation between density and other mechanical wood properties of Ficus exasperata in Bunu Tai. Samples were collected along the axial direction: base, middle and top (sampling height). Wood samples for mechanical properties were prepared in accordance with British Standard Test 879 procedures. The experiment was laid in 2 x 3 factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD), and data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA ) at P<0.05 level of significance, while relationships and associations among mechanical properties were subjected to regression and correlation analyses. The results of ANOVA showed that the average mean values were 465.05±46.64kg/m³, 3997.990±1488.19N/mm², 19.04±4.413m, and 3.7093±2.28N/mm² for density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), impact strength (IS) and modulus of rupture (MOR) respectively. Similarly, the results of regression analysis of density on IS, MOE and MOR showed that there was significant relationship (P<0.05: P-value=0.041384) between density and impact strength, and no significant relationship existed between density and MOE and MOR (P>0.05: P-value=0.15118) while their correlation coefficients (r) were 0.83, 0.91 and 0.14for IS, MOE and MOR respectively. The highest correlation coefficient was between density and MOE, followed by between density and IMS while the r-value between density and MOR was the lowest. Mechanical properties particularly IS had no correlation with density while MOR and MOE had positive correlations with density; an indication of possible associations and could therefore project F. exasperata wood as being recommended for usage for low construction and joinery purposes.

Keywords: Density, impact strength, modulus of elasticity.