ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the yield of raw material of Eucalyptus benthamii through the tangential and radial sawing, besides classifying the logs for the presence of end splits. The classification of logs as for the splits was accomplished by means of visual analysis, using a concept which was applied according to the intensity of the defect. Subsequently, the logs were separated into two diametric classes (20 to 25, and 25.1 to 30 cm) and processed in three sawing systems (tangential block, radial and tangential block with curved face), each treatment consisting of 3 replicates with 10 logs each. Statistical analysis of yield data was carried out using the Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Analysis of Variance and Tukey test. In the results it was observed that most of the logs of smaller diameter class presented median intensity, whereas for larger diameter class, the intensity was low. The average net yields found were 43.5% and 39.2% for the lower and upper classes, respectively, which were influenced by the splits of parts and the trimming. It was observed that the tangential sawing block and curved face were the methods that presented greater use of lumber of the class 20 to 25 cm, while in the class 25.1 to 30 cm, the block and radial tangential system were equivalent.
Keywords:
Eucalyptus spp; Radial and tangential sawing; Wood quality
