Mechanical parameters during static bending of Pinus radiata growing in a silvopastoral system I: elasticity and strength

The effects of pasture fertilization frequency and two vertical positions in the stem on elasticity and strength parameters during static bending (modulus of elasticity, stress at proportional limit, modulus of rupture) of Pinus radiata wood growing in a silvopastoral system were evaluated. Twenty-seven trees were selected randomly from three silvopastoral trials established at Tanumé Experimental Center (34°9′–34°15′ S; 72°53′–72°59′ W). The results indicated that pasture fertilization frequency had no significant effect on the physical and mechanical parameters evaluated. However, the vertical position in the stem did have a significant effect on stress at the proportional limit and on the modulus of rupture due to different average values for the annual ring width and nominal density found in the specimens obtained from logs at two different heights of the stem.