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A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOME MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GMELINA ARBOREA, PARKIA BIGLOBOSA AND PROSOPIS AFRICANA TIMBERS FOR STRUCTURAL USE

C.O. Ataguba, C. Enwelu, W. Aderibigbe, E.O. Okiwe


In this paper, the mechanical properties of locally available Gmelina arborea, Parkia biglobosa and Prosopis africana timbers from forest in Idah town in North Central part of Nigeria were investigated to compare their physical and mechanical properties as well as their suitability for structural use. Laboratory tests were carried out on the timber samples obtained from the timber types under investigation in accordance with BS 5268 1 to determine some of the physical and mechanical properties of the timber types. The properties tested included: bending strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and shear strength. Others included compression strength, moisture content and density. The results obtained showed that the three timber types investigated are hardwood. Prosopis Africana had the highest mechanical and physical properties closely followed by Parkia Biglobosa. Gmelina Arborea ranked third in the results of these properties obtained. The results obtained show that the timber types are hardwood of higher strength classes (between strength classes D30 D70) when compared with Table 8 of BS 5268 The F values and p values obtained from the ANOVA of the physical and mechanical properties tests carried out on the timber types showed that the compression strength, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, shear strength and density have no difference within the three timber types investigated except for the moisture content which revealed that there is significant difference in moisture within the group of the tested timber types. Gmelina arborea, Parkia biglobosa and Prosopis africana obtained from Idah (North Central Nigeria) are therefore suitable for structural use in the construction industry.