Description
Sylvatest is a technology based on the measurement of the propagation speed of low-frequency ultrasonic waves for the evaluation of wood quality.
Sylvatest 4 operates wirelessly alongside the Luxpole application to objectively evaluate the mechanical strength of wood—for utility poles, Sylvatest is intended to be utilised in analysis prior to use and installation.
Sylvatest 4 is the latest 4th generation of a globally proven device that is designed to estimate wood quality and mechanical strength and can be utilised on any structural timber component, including utility poles, structural building timber, and trees.
Sylvatest 4 passes ultrasonic waves through the length of the wood between two wireless transducers-the emitter and the receiver. By measuring signal times together with the energy peak, Sylvatest 4 communicates via Bluetooth to a dedicated App-Sylvius.
The addition of Luxpole-specifically for utility pole applications provides for a grading system of three categories:
- XL – The strongest poles possessing the greatest mechanical strength
- L – Strong poles possessing a high mechanical strength
- S – Poles possessing a reduced mechanical strength
Utility poles can be tagged appropriately prior to use on the network, with the weakest poles either rejected or directed to an alternative low-strength critical application. The test is very fast and can be carried out either before or following impregnation and ideally prior to delivery to the network operator.
Higher strength poles of XL and L categories can be utilised in order to optimise overhead line design and operation applications, providing:
- Extension of poles in service life
- Higher loading capacities for reduced costs
- Smaller diameter poles possessing equivalent mechanical strength properties to those of Stout and Extra Stout poles-at significantly lower costs
- The opportunity to increase span lengths based upon higher known values of mechanical strength
