Strength Loss and Hazard Assessment of Euphrates Poplar Using Stress Wave Tomography

Stress wave tomography is a noninvasive testing method for diagnosing defects in standing or cut trees. For this study, the technique was used to diagnose defects on 15 disks of Euphrates poplar (Poulus euphratica Oliv.) cross-sections. Two-dimensional tomograms were generated and used to estimate strength loss and assess potential tree stem failures. Results found that stress wave tomograms can effectively locate decay and void dimensions and that there was a logarithmic significant relationship (r = 0.9679) between real tomographic defect areas and visual defect areas indicated by the tomograms. This regression relationship could improve accuracy of hazard assessment in historic trees when using stress wave tomography. Strength loss was calculated based on Wagener, Coder, and Mattheck's equations. These three equations can provide effective internal tree stem weakness assessment. However, strength loss between tomographic defect areas in cross-sections and real visual defect area had a significant 0.05 statistical difference. The results of this study provided insight into defect diagnosis and hazard assessment for trees in China, especially those with historical significance