Effects of long-term loading on Moabi wood beams in the tropical environment of Gabon: variability in properties and effects of exposure conditions on mechanical properties in 3-point bending tests

This work is devoted to 3-point bending tests performed on tropical specimens of Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) from Gabon. The beams are formerly subjected long-term loading in three media (air-conditioned, unsheltered and sheltered outdoor) a environment. were sawn into nine 340 mm long sections subdivided the vertical direction (top section, middle section bottom section). From each two extracted for test, tensile test four compression test. In present study, 81 with cross-section 15 x mm2 length 300 used. determination local modulus elasticity failure strength carried out according NF EN 408. results obtained show strong influence time exposure environments mechanical parameters (bending elasticity). There also variability these along clear correlation between sampling areas level exposure; this confirms quite well complexity wood material.