Selected mechanical properties of steam kiln-dried wood determined on the basis of cutting power

Selected mechanical properties of steam kiln-dried wood determined on the basis of cutting power. In this paper results of fracture toughness (specific work of fracture) and shear yield strength of steam kiln-dried wood determined simultaneously on the basis of cutting power measurement are presented. Wood species, namely oak (Quercus robur L.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from the northern part of Pomerania region in Poland, were subject of steam kiln-drying process in a laboratory kiln, specially designed and manufactured for the Gdansk University of Technology. It has been recognized that steam wood drying causes a decrease of the mechanical properties of the wood such as: fracture toughness and shear yield strength. Those mechanical properties were determined on the basis of the modern fracture mechanics.