THE EFFECT OF VARIABLES ON LABORATORY TERMITE TESTING: PART 3 - TEST BLOCK DENSITY AND MOISTURE CONTENT.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact on termite feeding of wood ring count and MC in standard tests. Introduced species ( Coptotermes formosanus ) were tested in an American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) E1-97 standard laboratory test. Samples with a ring count in the range of 6 – 10 rings per inch (RPI) had a higher, but not significantly different, weight loss than the 4 – 6 RPI specified by E1-97. With respect to the MC, it was determined that a lower level of moisture than that currently specified by AWPA E1 would be preferred over the higher MC achieved in ASTM D3345. Sample placement on top of the sand was recommended over the burial procedure in ASTM D3345.