In Theme 2, the full-length stem samples will be scanned to acquire the true-shape stem geometry data using FPInnovations – Forintek Division optical scanner. A virtual-shape 3-D stem will also be reconstructed for each stem using both the CroBas model and our taper model. A reduced sub-sample will be CT scanned to reconstruct the 3-D stems for selected wood characteristics. Based on the disks from each sample tree along stem height, various other end-use wood characteristics will be evaluated, and their relationship with various stand/tree/crown characteristics will be modeled to reconstruct the internal characteristics of the stems in 3-D. The 3-D stems reconstructed for external stem geometry and internal wood characteristics will be used in Themes 3 and 4 as input data. The 3-D stem quality model will be linked to the process-based growth model developed in Theme 1. Non-destructive evaluation of the mechanical properties of the standing trees and logs will be tested. A practical tool could be developed for field applications including tree screening, detection of wood stiffness differences among different stands, and log sorting once the model is validated using an independent dataset.

Researchers and students associates to this theme are :

• Researchers :
• Alexis Achim (U. Laval) 
• Alain Cloutier (U. Laval) 
• Shawn Mansfield (UBC) 
• Ahmed Koubaa (UQAT) 
• Mathew Leitch (Lakehead U.) 
•  
• Students and postdoctoral fellows: 
• Normand Paradis (U. Laval) 
• Mvolo Cyriac Serge (UQAT) 
• David Auty (U. Laval)
• Emmanuel Duchateau (U. Laval)
• Luciane Paes-Torquato (U. Laval) 
• Xiang Wei (Lakehead U.)
• Zanin Kavazovic (U. Laval)
• Francis Raiche de Araujo (UBC)
• Foster Hart (UBC) 

 

You will find all theme 2 projects in the following table.