Volcanic atmospheres impact on mechanical properties of Tectona grandis and Cupressus lusitanica in early stages of outdoor exposure

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of the volcanic atmosphere on the mechanical properties, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and rupture (MOR), of Cupressus lusitanica and Tectona grandis using structural size specimens in early stages of exposure with time series (3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months. Despite the inter-sites’ acid variables (SO2, pH, SO42-), no significant differences in MOE-MOR were found. A climate-based model was successfully established to estimate structural-size specimen´s MOE in the early degradation stages. The main mechanical properties give a theoretical and practical framework to estimate the material performance of touristic natural facilities. •We proposed a climate-based model to estimate MOE in the early degradation stages.•The experimentally obtained MOE showed sinusoidal behaviour regardless of species/sites.•A Principal components analysis (PCA) describes the complex atmospheric system.•Despite the inter-site acidic difference species showed no significant differences in their mechanical performance (α0.05).•The material showed resistance to harsh volcanic environments during the study period.