• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.24-32
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• 2008

Artificial brown-rot decay was induced to two wood species, Pinus densiflora and Pinus radiata. A modified direct inoculation method was used and the decay indicators of mass loss and two compressive mechanical properties, maximum compressive strength (MCS) and compressive stiffness, were estimated over the period of 8 weeks of fungal exposure. Measurable mass loss occurred 2 weeks after the fungal attack, with 15% to 22% of the loss occurring 8 weeks after fungal exposure with Fornitopsis palustris and Gloeophyllurn trabeurn. Mechanical properties proved to be far more sensitive than mass loss detection: approximately five to six times by quantity. Of the two mechanical properties, MCS was more sensitive to and consistent with progressive brown-rot decay. An ultrasonic test was performed to determine the feasibility and accuracy of this method for nondestructive detection of brown-rot decay. The ultrasonic test is highly sensitive at qualitative detection of the early stages of brown-rot decay.