Características tecnológicas da algarobeira - Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.: contribuição para seu uso racional.

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to determine the technological properties of the Mesquita Tree available in the semi-arid area of Northeast and in special of the Paraiba state. The knowledge of the properties of this specie is important because it is intended to use the timber from this three as structural elements in rural engineering constructions. Five trees were selected, botanical ly examined, the age determined and the total volume of timber calculated. The volume of bark, cambium, sapwood and heartwood was determined through the cross-section area. Physical properties such as density, humidity air content and mechanical properties such as tensile, compressive and shear strength were also determined. The obtained results were compared with those from timbers normally used in civil construction. The results indicated that the mesquita tree has strength and elastic modulus comparable with those of the timbers normally used for construction in Brazil.