Moisture-dependent orthotropic tension-compression asymmetry of wood

The influence of moisture content (MC) on the tension-compression (Te-Co) asymmetry of beech wood has been examined. The elastic and strength parameters, including Te and Co Young's moduli, Poisson's ratios, and ultimate and yield stress values, were determined and compared in terms of different MCs for all orthotropic directions. The results reveal a distinctive Te-Co strength asymmetry with a moisture dependency that is visualized clearly by the Te to Co yield stress ratio. The Te-Co asymmetry is further shown by the inequality of the elastic properties, known as the "bimodular behavior”. The latter is proven for the Young's moduli values in the radial and tangential directions and for individual Poisson's ratios. Although the bimodularity of the Young's moduli is significant at low MC levels, there is no evidence of moisture dependency on the Te-Co asymmetry of the Poisson's ratio