Comparative Experimental Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Tornillo and Eucalyptus Wood in Dry, Wet, and Natural States

Victoria Alva Leyva M.; Adrián Valiente Velarde K.; Thajana Carhuanambo Villanueva J. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.461

Resumen

Wood is widely used in civil engineering due to its renewable nature, favorable strength-to-weight ratio, and structural versatility. This study experimentally evaluates the physical and mechanical behavior of Cedrelinga cateniformis (Tornillo) and Eucalyptus globulus under dry, natural, and wet moisture conditions to determine their suitability for structural and formwork applications. The experimental program included density, water absorption, dimensional variation, Poisson's ratio, compressive strength, and flexural behavior based on standardized tests. Results show that Eucalyptus presents higher density (737.47 kg/m3) than Tornillo (493.34 kg/m3), which is directly associated with its superior mechanical performance. In flexural tests, dry Eucalyptus reached 134.98 MPa with a modulus of elasticity of 12,745.35 MPa, while Tornillo reached 62.66 MPa and 5,902.13 MPa, respectively. In axial compression, Eucalyptus achieved 948.12 kgf/cm2 under dry conditions, exceeding Tornillo (476.26 kgf/cm2). Conversely, Tornillo exhibited higher water absorption capacity (16.33%) compared to Eucalyptus (8.75%). Both species showed significant reductions in mechanical performance under wet conditions, confirming the strong influence of moisture content. Dimensional changes during drying were similar for both species, with contractions close to 2.8%. The results indicate that Eucalyptus is more suitable for structural applications requiring higher mechanical resistance, while Tornillo is appropriate for less demanding uses. Moisture content is identified as the dominant factor affecting the mechanical behavior of both species and must be considered in timber selection for construction engineering.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada del Norte