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Physical and Mechanical Properties of Coconut Palm (cocos Nucifera) Stem

M. N. Rana
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

A. K. Das*
Pulp and Paper Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

M. Ashaduzzaman
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was conducted on coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) stem of Khulna region in Bangladesh. Important physical and mechanical properties were studied for 40-year-old tree. The test was done at different height positions (i.e., top, middle and bottom) and lateral positions (i.e., core and periphery). The average air dry and oven dry density of coconut stem was 400 and 460 kg/m³, respectively. The MOE and MOR values for air dry and oven dry conditions were 2374 and 2633 N/mm² and 27.30 and 30.44 N/mm². The compression strength in parallel to grain and perpendicular to grain for air dry and oven dry conditions were 12.41 and 12.85 N/mm² and 9.28 and 9.64 N/mm² , respectively. There is a possibility to use the stem of coconut palm for different structural purposes.

Keywords: Physical properties; Mechanical properties; Cocos nucifera

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

This study was undertaken to find out the physical and mechanical properties of the wood to assess its use it in the furniture industry as well as structural purposes.

Methodology:

Coconut trees were collected from Tutpara, Khulna City, Khulna (22° 48' 0" N and 89° 33' 0" E), Bangladesh. Sampled trees were 40-years-old, fairly straight and free from defects. The height of the trees was 1150 to 1250 cm and diameter was 27.6 to 30.8 cm. The boles were sawed according to standard sawing diagram with 91.4 cm band saw. The inner zone was selected up to 13 cm from the pith and the outer zone was after 13 cm to 14.6 cm for the tree with diameter of 27.6 cm. On the other hand, the inner zone was selected from the pith up to 15 cm and outer zone was selected after 15 cm to 15.8 cm for the tree of 30.8 cm diameter. The sample size for doing test of physical properties was 5.5 cm × 5.5 cm × 2.5 cm. The specimen for compression strength was in the form of 2 cm × 4 cm × 8 cm for perpendicular and 3 cm × 3 cm × 8 cm for parallel to the grain analyses. For the test of MOR and MOE, the sample size was 2.5 cm × 5.5 cm × 35 cm. Samples were taken from both inner and outer zones of the stem in all height positions of the stem, i.e., top, middle and bottom. Mechanical properties were carried out by using Hydraulic Universal Testing Machine (UTM), Model No.WE-100, made in Time Group Inc. in Mechanical Lab of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(1), 39-46, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The density of the coconut tree was 400 to 460 kg/m³. The MOR and MOE of core portion were higher at different height positions. The timber can be used for structural purposes considering the mechanical properties. Further study is necessary to get information regarding the effect of site variation on the properties of coconut stem.

Knowledge Management: Journal