ThE DAMP DESTROYER
Exploring how water affects wood strength.
Aim: My aim is to find out a variety of different environmental conditions will ultimately affect the strength of wood when pressure is applied. The reason for this is to consider decisions that builders have to make when making buildings or structures that will be outside.
Hypothesis: I believed that when wood absorbed moisture it became affected. When wood is exposed the exposed to water it makes the fibres in the wood expand.
Introduction: For last year's science fair project I would like to investigate how the environment affects the decaying process in wood, and as a result how it affects its strength.
Equipment & Method: 1. My dad helped me cut 20 pieces of wood. Each were 30 cm long, 20 mm wide and 10 mm in depth. They were all untreated pine.
There were five variations in this experiment.
2. The wood was divided into five groups of four. All pieces in the group were labeled with the group letter A,B,C,D or E
3 Group A is the constant in this experiment and will show the effect of air on wood decay.
4. Group B was placed in a salt water.
5. Group C was placed in acid water this was made of water and vinegar and tested with Litmus paper to ensure that a PH 4.5 was obtained.
6. Group D was placed in rainwater. This was collected away from trees or any other external source that may contaminate the water.
7.Group E was placed in soil which was dampened regularly to make sure that the wood remained moist.
8.They was left in their environments for 2 weeks then left to dry out for 1 week.
9.The wood strength is tested as follows - With use of bathroom scales and a G clamp we recorded the pressure applied from each 90 degree turn of the clamp.
I tested this same procedure 10 times to get an average of 25.5 kg per 90 degree turn.
The timber is supported between two pieces of wood to stop it twisting and the pressure is applied by the clamp.
The mean average of each group is calculated and recorde
Things that will remain constant:- Things that changed:-
The width of wood What ‘environment’ the
The length of the wood wood was left in.
The depth of the wood sample How much pressure was
The type of timber used. applied to the wood.
Each sample was completely submerged in liquid
or soil.
Results: The purpose of this experiment was to see how the strength of wood was affected in different elements. The results suggest that placing it in soil left it the weakest. The wood sample supported an average weight of 104.775kg when it was exposed to soil. As predicted the sample just left in air was the strongest because there was no additional elements added to it that might affect it’s strength. The average for the air experiment was 127kg.The sample left in salt water was the next weakest, followed by acid. The sample left in just rain water was the second strongest.The ones exposed to soil break easier but hold their shape but the ones exposed to water go rubbery and change shape easier but don’t break as quick.
Conclusion: In conclusion, my hypothesis was that when wood absorbs moisture its structure becomes affected. I believe that when it is placed in damp soil it will weaken the greatest because it may be exposed to greater decay to its structure.
What did I do well with last year
Last year I think I did well because I got a silver ribbon, and my testing went well.
What did I find difficult last year
Finding out how I would test the strength of the wood.
Science Fair Ideas
1.The effect of gibberellic acid on plants with red lights Which colour Glad Wrap allows plants to grow the tallest?
2.Effect of electric current on worm regeneration Ability of goldfish to distinguish colours Tan-point coat colour inheritance in labrador retriever dogs Effect of thermoelectric fields on fire ants Does colour affect a chicken's appetite?
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