Experimental research on material properties of Chinese fir based on artificial decay damage simulation method

Chinese fir is one of the most widely used construction materials in traditional timber buildings of southern region of the Yangtze River. To quantitatively evaluate the degradation of mechanical performance with decay diseases, 100 decayed specimens were cultured with wood-rot fungi and the specimens were divided into intact group, 30-day decay time group, 60-day decay time group and 90-day decay time group. The degradation mechanism of mechanical properties of Chinese fir in decay state with time has been fitted through the results of the experiment. The results of this research can provide scientific basis for the structural assessment of traditional timber buildings in southern China with decay diseases.