Study of the Degradation Effects on Aged Wood Beams from the Cathedral of Morelia, Mexico by Acoustic Birefringence Measurements

The present study investigates the influence of degradation effects due to natural aging of wood beams from the Cathedral of Morelia, Mexico by using acoustic birefringence measurements. The acoustic anisotropy parameter for aged and unaged Mexican pine (Pinus strobus) wood beams was calculated by the ultrasonic emission-transmission technique. The experimental measurements were carried out using a shear wave ultrasonic transducer with a central frequency of 0.5 MHz. Ultrasonic velocity data and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed, establishing a direct correlation with the shear wave velocity and the acoustic anisotropy parameter developed on the naturally aged and unaged wood. Therefore, the obtained experimental results not only contribute to the existing knowledge about aged wood but provide useful information about the possibilities of reusing wood as well.