EIT Detection of Juvenile and Knot Wood in Southern Pine Logs

P. H. Steele1, J. E. Cooper1, B. K. Mitchell1, C. Boden1 and W. R. B. Lionheart2

1Forest Products Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39759

2School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK

Email: psteele@cfr.msstate.edu

ABSTRACT

The juvenile wood type is produced by southern pine trees during their first 10 years of growth producing a significant volume of wood at tree center having inferior properties that decrease lumber value. Increased volumes of lumber are influenced by juvenile wood as intensive plantation silviculture increases early tree growth. Research has shown that knowledge of knot location in logs prior to sawing has the potential to significantly increase lumber value yield. Detection of juvenile and knot wood prior to sawing logs will allow application of sawing patterns that place these wood types into locations or products that have reduced influence on the final lumber value. This study tested an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) scanner for detection of juvenile and knot wood in southern pine. EIT and CT images were compared to determine the accuracy of juvenile and knot wood detection by EIT technology.

Keywords Electrical impedance tomography, juvenile wood, knot wood, southern pine