CHARACTERISATION OF THE NIGERIAN-GROWN EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS TIMBER SPECIE ACCORDING TO EN 338 (2009) AND NCP 2 (1973)

U. N. Wilson; A. G. Bakori; F. O. P. Oriola; S. O. Odeyemi; F. O. Adeyemi; A. S. Zayyanu; R. O. Rahmon

U. N. Wilson Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Nigeria
A. G. Bakori Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Nigeria
F. O. P. Oriola Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Nigeria
S. O. Odeyemi Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
F. O. Adeyemi Department of Civil Engineering, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo,.
A. S. Zayyanu Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Nigeria
R. O. Rahmon Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin

Keywords: haracterization, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, EN 338 (2009), NCP 2 (1973), Grading, Mechanical Properties, Physical Properties

Abstract

In this work, the Nigerian-grown Eucalyptus camaldulensis timber specie was characterized based on the NCP 2 (1973) and EN 338 (2009) code. The specie was obtained from timber markets in Sabon Gari, Zaria and Fanteka, Kaduna, North-western Nigeria. The elastic modulus, bending strength (using four-point flexural test) and density of the timber as stated in EN 384 (2004) were determined at their various moisture contents with which other respective derived properties were obtained. The experiments were carried out using a 500 kN capacity Universal Testing Machine at the Department of Civil Engineering laboratory, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Results obtained indicate that the mean density of Eucalyptus camaldulensis timber is 975.9 kg/m³at an adjusted moisture content of 18%. The flexural strength of Eucalyptus camaldulensis timber species was determined to be 69.02 N/mm² and the mean Modulus of Elasticity of 5409.4 N/mm². With these results, Eucalyptus camaldulensis was allocated to strength class D60 based on EN 338 (2009) and strength class N1 based on NCP 2 (1973) classification systems which makes it suitable for bridge construction, railway sleepers, pier construction as well as heavy duty flooring.