Nondestructive evaluation of wood

Nondestructive evaluation of materials, the science of identifying the physical and mechanical properties of materials without altering their end-use capabilities, is valuable in defining relationships between properties and performance of materials. Nondestructive evaluation techniques using these relationships have current industrial applications. They are used for machine stress rating of lumber and ultrasonic veneer grading for laminated veneer lumber manufacture. Studies using nondestructive evaluations have been used for in-place detection of decay in wood structures such as bridges, grandstands, piers, and laminated arches. We have prepared a comprehensive report that reviews nondestructive testing of wood research and application techniques. This paper provides a brief synopsis of that report and other pertinent research that has been published since completing it.