Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Friday Filler
The columns on Japanese temples are almost always made of Hinoki (Japanese Cypress). There are several examples of temples that are over 1,000 years old.
How does a the strength of a new Hinoki column compare with a 1,000 year old one? How does it compare to a 500 year old column?
Re: The same?
Re: Friday Filler
Knowing the comparison of new growth pine today from old growth (and with other woods too) I'd guess less strong.
Tommy
Assume they are of the same initial strength
Newer is stronger...
Because of the rebar in them...;^)
Hint
So far, we have votes for 'stronger', 'weaker' and 'the same'. Two of the answers are partially correct. None is completely correct.
Remember, this is a two part question.
New vs 1,000 years
New vs 500 years
Re: Hint
At 500 years the Hanoki wood is stronger than high speed tool steel.
At 1000 years Hanoki wood is stronger than diamonds.
That's my guess.
Tommy
Gets stronger with age?
Re: My guess
As the wood gets drier it will increase in strength. But, assuming the colums are somewhat exposed to the weather (?). Wood erodes in the weather over time, So...the columms will get weaker in both 500 and 1000 yrs.
Thanks for the questions,
Dale
Re: Hint
Assumeing the columns are properly protected from weathering and insects etc. I would say that at 500 years the columns are weaker and at 1000 years they are stronger.
Answer
Dale Lenz was on the right track. Only the time frame was off. Due to the tight grain and natural oils, Hinoki ages very slowly.
According to William Coldrake in "The Way of the Carpenter", Hinoki increases in strength by about 30% over 200 years. From there it begins to degrade slowly. At around 1,000 years it is about the same strength as when new.