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The objective of this study was to determine the impact on termite feeding of wood sample size and species and test photoperiod in standard tests. Native species (Reticulitermes flavipes) and introduced species (Coptotermes formosanus) were tested in an American Wood-Preservers' Association El standard laboratory test. For testing involving treated wood, southern yellow pine was determined to be preferable to spruce based on its treatability and availability. Test blocks of 25 by 25 by 6 mm were deemed adequate for testing, with large blocks presenting difficulty with retrieval of termites to determine mortality and smaller blocks being consumed too rapidly by the termites in the test. Photoperiod comparisons were not significantly different for R. flavipes; however, C. formosanus indicated a preference for 100 percent darkness. Therefore, the recommendation is to maintain tests using each species in a 100 percent dark environment., In an article to the International Research Group on Wood Preservation, LaFage and Jones (1986) analyzed the original American Wood-Preservers' Association (AWPA 1972) laboratory termite testing protocol and pointed out [...]

The objective of this study was to determine if the same soldier:worker ratio could be used in the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes fiavipes) and the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) in standard tests. Native (R. fiavipes) and introduced (C. formosanus) subterranean termite species were tested in an American Wood Protection Association El standard laboratory test. Statistically equivalent weight losses were found as long as the ratio was within 10 percent of the rate required by the standard., The development of biologically sound procedures for evaluating the efficacies of wood preservative formulations for protecting wood from subterranean termites is essential. Annually, damage to wood-frame structures in the United [...]

Southern pine lumber 2 by 8s and 2 by 10s from across the Southeast were used as the parent material source for this study. Fundamental data were collected for each piece of lumber: growth rings per inch (RPI), presence of pith, and specific gravity (SG), among other information. After mechanical property evaluation through static bending, small clear specimens were cut from the lumber pieces and tested for compression perpendicular to grain (C[perpendicular to]). Those values were then compared with 2 by 8 and 2 by 10 average RPI and density. The results were significant for both tests. Therefore, a segmentation of the growth ring data into groups of 5 RPI was conducted. Correlations were run specific to each group, per both lumber sizes, and still significance was found. Segmentation of SG was not significant only for 2 by 8 SG, Wood is a natural renewable material used in various construction and architectural applications. Wood is cost preferred when compared with steel and concrete and has a greater strength-to-weight ratio. However, [...]