An Estimation of Air Drying Time of Dimensional Lumber

Abstract

To monitor the air-drying time of dimensional lumber, load beams equipped with a data logger were used to collect lumber weight loss data. A weather station on the same site as the air-drying experiment was used to obtain the information regarding air temperature and relative humidity and wind velocity. A multiple regression model for estimating the drying rates for 2-in. × 4-in. × 8-ft (38.5-mm × 90-mm × 250-cm) green spruce/pine dimensional lumber was developed. Data analysis revealed that wind direction did not have a significant effect on the rate of moisture loss. Thus, the resulting regression equation takes temperature, relative humidity, initial moisture content, and wind speed into account. Based on historical weather information for a particular location, the model developed can be used as a practical guideline for estimating air drying time and therefore offers the user a valuable tool for planning green yard inventory.

Keywords:

• Air drying
• Air velocity
• Multiple regression
• Relative humidity
• Temperature

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FPInnovations, Wood Products Division, would like to thank its industry members, Natural Resources Canada (Canadian Forest Service), and the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador for their guidance and financial support for this research.