This paper presents the correlations obtained among mechanical properties, density and deterioration status of new eucalyptus poles and those removed from service. The deterioration status was determined in the field in sections of poles of the distribution of electric energy in southern Brazil. Poles in various status of deterioration were removed from the network for static bending tests and density measurements. The mechanical tests indicated that the average values of bending strength and stiffness decline with the deteriorating state of eucalyptus. However, there was a large variation in these measures with different classes of deterioration presenting similar residual mechanical strength. This behavior can be explained by the influence of wood density on the correlations between mechanical properties and the state of deterioration of the poles. Less dense woods can have residual mechanical strength low even without present signs of deterioration. The study of the characterization of eucalyptus wood indicated that the state of deterioration measured by field inspection alone is not a good indicator for predicting the durability of wood structures, making necessary a preliminary analysis of the density.
Eucalyptus; Deterioration; density
