Strength Characterization by Vibrational Analysis of Building Demolition Wood to Assess Reuse Potential

The objective of the study is to develop a methodology for strength characterization by vibrational analysis of a batch of wood from building demolitions with a view to its reuse. This approach is part of an experimental deconstruction/reconstruction project located in the Vosges “département” of France and led by the social housing landlord, VOSGELIS. The main constraint related to this intention of reuse is the obtention of the strength class of the elements, which is not recorded in the standards. The comparative study of different non-destructive technologies has shown that the values of the longitudinal dynamic modulus of elasticity obtained by the vibrational method are closer on average (15%) to the actual value obtained by the bending tests than those obtained by the ultrasonic method (35%). A portable measuring bench suitable for the deconstruction site was also developed during the study for the utilization of the vibrational method. The values of the dynamic modules of elasticity obtained on this bench are close, on average, to the values of the modulus of elasticity obtained by bending tests executed on a test slab (13%). This study made it possible to extend the use of the NF EN 14081-2+A1 standard to woods from building demolitions. However, this standard needs to be adapted for the classification of that typology of wood, with a reference batch constituted of 15 to 20 samples.