Abstract:
The purpose-of this research study was to determlne the
effect of moisture content on the physical and mechanical properties
of coconut trunk in Thailand. The goal was to determine whether
coconut trunk can be. used under exposed condition as structural
members or not. The experiments consisted of two parts; the first
part dealed with the determination of the absorption capacity of
coconut trunk and the other part involved the testing for the mechanical
properties of coconut trunk having different moisture contents.The
properties investigated were the.bending strength, tensile strength
parallel to grain, compressive strength perpendicular and parallel to
grain, shear. strength parallel to grain, hardness, cleavage strength,
and impact strength. The testing methods followed ASTM. DI43 - 52
and B.S. 373 - 1957
Test results revealed that the absorption capacities of
coconut trunk increased considerably during the first 10 days of
immersion in water and coconut trunk having younger ages could absorb
more water than that having older?ages. The mechanical properties of
coconut trunk were found to decrease as the amount of moisture in the
trunk was increased,and the effect wal more pronounced when the
moisture content was lesl than 40%. Empirical equations predicting
the mechanical properties of coconut trunk having varying moisture
contents were also proposed baled on the experimental results.
Finally, it was found that coconut trunk could be used under exposed
condition when its age ranged Letween uO-lOO years and its position
was abount 6-8 m. from the bottom of the trunk.