woodstructure

Wood structure refers to the cellular architecture by which wood is formed. It consists of vertically oriented cells and growth rings governed by the plant's vascular cambium. In hardwoods (angiosperms) the conductive tissue includes vessels and fibers; in softwoods (conifers) it primarily comprises tracheids. The arrangement yields anisotropic properties: strong along the grain, weaker across it, with moisture content strongly affecting dimensions and strength.

Anatomical components: earlywood and latewood; heartwood and sapwood; rays; fibers in hardwoods. The combination determines density, color, and decay resistance. The microstructure influences mechanical properties, stiffness, and thermal conductivity. Wood is hygroscopic, expanding and shrinking with moisture changes, and exhibits different behavior in longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions.

Applications and processing: to use wood structurally, wood is dried to a target moisture content to reduce shrinkage and checks. Structural timber includes solid-sawn lumber and manufactured products such as glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber. Preservation and treatments improve durability against decay and insects; fire performance can be enhanced with protective coatings or intumescent systems. Fasteners and joints influence performance and require wood strength data.

Sustainability and standards: Wood is a renewable material with carbon storage during growth. Sustainable management and certification schemes, such as FSC or PEFC, aim to ensure responsible harvesting. Structural wood uses standardized testing for properties such as modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and shear strength. Environmental considerations include lifespan, maintenance, and end-of-life options such as recycling or energy recovery.