Compressive strength of thermo-hydro-mechanically modified samples at different moisture contents

This study presents the steps and results of the longitudinal compression modification process (aka. pleating) and compression tests of sessile oak wood (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl). Compression tests were done to determine properties under different moisture conditions. The stress values during the pleating of the specimens were nearly identical, attributed to proper pre-selection of the specimens. Regarding compressive strength, the average values were approximately 40.94 MPa for the pleated frozen samples, 55.55 MPa for the pleated groups conditioned to 12% moisture content, 93.66 for the pleated group conditioned absolute dry and 55.46 MPa for the untreated group conditioned to 12% moisture content. In terms of compressive modulus of elasticity, the average values were approximately 0.11 GPa, 1.76 GPa, 3.12 GPa and 3.08 GPa, respectively.