| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this research was to establish the potential of locally grown grevillea robusta as an alternative source of structural timber other than as a shade tree and lor wood fuel, through investigation of its engineering properties.
Research was carried out by conducting laboratory tests for engineering properties such as modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, shear and compression.
After carrying out the most critical engineering tests on grevillea robusta, it can now be confidently said that grevillea robusta belongs to strength group S4 in the classification system which has been adopted by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). KEFRI classifies Kenyan timber into strength groups SI, S2, S3 and S4. Being in this group, it means that this tree species can be used as an alternative source of engineering timber. Field studies established that the timber species is very popular in the construction industry and is extensively used for trusses, floors, formwork, timber trenching despite lack of relevant information on its engineering properties.
Field studies further established that there is abundance of grevillea robusta, which was originally introduced in Kenya as a coffee shade tree. The tree has now gained remarkable popularity among farmers as an agro-forestry species and is largely grown for firewood, timber, poles and posts besides other indirect services. | en_US |
