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Safe tree felling using expansion agent

Abstract

We discuss about safe tree felling methods. In previous work, tree felling robots that were equipped with cutting instruments have been investigated in order to keep workers’ safety. However, these robots may take damage when trees fall down against them. We propose a tree felling framework that maintains the workers and robots both in safe. In the proposed framework, a robot inserts a slow-acting expansion agent at the trunk of a tree. While the agent is expanding, the workers and robots escape from the tree. Also, we propose two drilling methods that are able to realize the proposed framework. In the experiments, conventional drilling methods that have been used for rocks did not divide logs. On the other hand, the proposed methods realized the divisions without any crack in the product side of them. The proposed methods were effective against standing trees too.

Background

25 million (ha) (66%) of Japanese ground is covered by forest. The total volume of tree trunks (about 5 billion [m3]) is increasing year by year. The background of the increasing is the low self-sufficiency of wood in Japan. Compared with 1966, the total volume has been increased to 5.5 times in 2012. Self-sufficiency of wood has been decreased from 71.4 to 27.9%.

From these facts, Forestry Agency of Japan is targeting increasing the self-sufficiency to 50% until 2020 [6]. However, the number of forestry workers has been decreased from 0.26 million (1965) to 0.10 million (1990) [7]. One of the reasons of the decreasing is the high accident rate of forestry industry. In forestry, 1700 industrial accidents occur in a year. Half of them are occurring while tree felling tasks. According to 1000 rate,Footnote 1 forestry is 28.7, which is quite higher than manufacturing (2.8) and construction (5.0) [8, 9].

One of the reasons why the number of accidents is not decreasing is that the falling direction of a tree is unpredictable. Even when typical Japanese workers use a sophisticated tree cutting method, ukekuchi-oikuchi cut, the direction is not sufficiently predictable. Also, we have no way to measure the center of mass of a tree before falling down in current technology. For example, we can not select a good wave frequency for non-destructive inspection that uses ultrasonic sound wave or some other waves against trees. Tree does not let high frequency wave pass it. If we use a low frequency wave, non-destructive inspection does not assure its precision.

From the above, the establishment of safe tree felling methods is an urgent need. In order to fill it, forestry machines have been developed. Feller buncher and harvester are popular forestry machines. However, these machines are not in use around steep or soft ground, because of their large weights. Also, dense forest gets rid of the use of them, because of their sizes. Currently, a large number of workers are using chainsaw in order to divide a tree, although it has much possibility of accidents.

Smaller sized robots may fit the conditions like steep ground, soft ground, or dense forest. Sugano et al. developed a pruning robot that climes a tree using two robot arms [12]. Ishigure et al. developed a pruning robot that cuts the branches of a tree using a chainsaw. This robot is able to climb a tree using 4 wheels [5]. Meaclem et al. investigated a biped mechanism of a felling machine that climbs between trees using two legs like a monkey [11]. Kolb et al. proposed a tree trunk detection system for a semi-autonomous tree felling robot [10]. Gui et al. developed an anti falling mechanism for tree pruning robots [3]. Especially, Sugano et al. developed a remote control robot that is equipped with chainsaw at the end effector of its robot arm [2]. However, a falling tree may crash these robots, because they must be close to the tree in order to cut it even when the tree falls down. Inserting remotely reacting materials in a tree is a new idea to keep the safety of robots.

In this paper, we propose a tree felling framework in that a robot is able to escape safely before a tree falls. In the proposed framework, a robot inserts a slow-acting expansion agent at the trunk of a tree. While the agent is expanding, the workers and robots are able to escape from the tree safely. We propose two drilling methods that realize the proposed framework.

In "Materials, methods and proposition" section, the propositions are described. In "Experiment" section, the effectiveness of the proposed drilling methods and conventional methods were examined through fracture experiments. In "Discussion" section, discussion is presented based on the results. In "Conclusion" section, this work is summarized.

Materials, methods and proposition

We proposed a framework in that a robot inserts a slow-acting expansion agent at the trunk of a tree and escapes from the tree before the reaction starts (Fig. 1). This method allows both a worker and a robot to be completely safe when a tree falls down.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Proposed framework. In the proposed framework, robot inserts chemical expansion agent to a tree. The robot is able to escape from the tree, while the agent is reacting. Thus, both human and robot are safe when the tree falls down

In order to establish safe tree felling using expansion agent, we must consider the followings:

  1. 1.

    Type of expansion agent.

  2. 2.

    Drilling method.

Type of expansion agent

In forest, we must use an expansion agent that does not damage the surrounding environment (1). Also, the expansion agent must make sufficient stress in the trunk in order to cut the fibers (2). Moreover, the expansion agent should be safe in handling (3).

If we use gunpowder [4], it is able to divide the trunk. However, the left residual material makes pollution around the tree. Also, handling it inside forest is dangerous. On the other hand, making the stress using some devices such as an air bag is not in use, these devices do not make sufficient stress. We need to select the expansion agent that is able to make more pressure than the strength of wood (Table 1) at least.

Non-explosive demolition agent (NDA) is a candidate of the expansion agent. NDA is frequently used for breaking up rocks inside forest. The chief component of NDA is calcium oxide that makes expansion pressure in hydration reaction with water. Commercially available NDA is able to make about 80 (N/mm2), which is more than the strength of wood. Calcium hydrate, which is left after the reaction of calcium oxide and water, does not make damage forest. Calcium hydrate is frequently used for the sterilization of forest. NDA is safe in handling. It does not any license in Japan, because of its safety.

In this paper, we use NDA for validating the proposed framework. For NDA, we used Power Blister of Taiheiyo Material Co. Ltd. in the experiments. This NDA makes solid cap quickly around a hole in that it is inserted.

In previous work, NDA has not been used for dividing a tree. The target was restricted to rock that is isotropic material.

Table 1 Strength of wood (N/mm2) [1]

Drilling method

In order to fell a tree using NDA, the way of drilling is important.

In case of isotropic material, NDA is inserted in the holes that are opened in a rock according to the following equation like Fig. 2. We prepared two methods that apply conventional drilling methods to trees like Fig. 3. Later, we validate these methods in order to obtain base lines in the experiments.

$$L=Kd$$
(1)

where, L is the distance between the holes, K is breakup coefficient which is decided by the class of the rock, d is the diameter of the holes.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Drilling of isotropic material. In conventional drilling against rocks, the holes have been opened with a uniform distance

Fig. 3
figure 3

Conventional drilling methods. In conventional drilling method A, holes are opened radially. In conventional drilling method B, holes are opened straightly

As in Table 1, the strength of the material is different according to the directions. Also, tree is composed of fibers that extend in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the best drilling method might be not symmetrical. When holes are placed radially [Fig. 4(1)] like the previous method, the pressure from the holes make compression force in the logs. This is not effective to tear the fibers. When holes are placed straightly [Fig. 4(2)], the pressure from the two end-holes does not compress the fibers of the outside. This pressure effectively makes cracks. But, almost all pressure inside the log works as compression force in this drilling too, if all of the holes are placed at the same height. We might need to differentiate the heights of the holes in order to tear the fibers effectively.

Fig. 4
figure 4

Pressure. In conventional methods, almost all pressure that affects the fibers of a tree is compressive force. This might be the reason why the fibers did not take a large damage in the following experimental results

The requirements of the drilling method is as follows:

  1. 1.

    Is able to fell a tree.

  2. 2.

    Easiness of automation.

  3. 3.

    Quality of wood.

If tree does not fall down after the reaction, this framework is useless. We need to fill the first requirement at first. The second requirement is related to the efficiency. If automation of this method is difficult, workers need to insert the expansion agent by themselves. This cost much time and employment fee. The third requirement is the quality of wood after felling. If product wood takes damage, the wood reduces its value. We need to avoid a large crack that extends to the longitudinal direction of a tree, because this type of crack is easily occur along the fibers of tree and it damages the production part of a tree.

On the basis of the requirements, we propose two drilling methods as in Figs. 5 and 6. In both proposed methods, holes are placed close in horizontal direction, in order to stop the extension of a crack in longitudinal direction.

In proposed drilling method A, two holes are drilled vertically with distance d 1. For the lower hole, a cut that reaches to the hole is made using a chainsaw. Above the upper hole, another cut is made with a distance d 2 from the upper hole where d 2 is larger than radius d/2 of the hole. This drilling method divides the trunk by chaining the two holes by the pressure of expansion agent. This method utilizes the specification of a tree where vertical crack is easily made by weak pressure. The fibers in the trunk of a tree are directing to the longitudinal direction of a tree. Cracks are easily made along the fibers. The distance between the upper hole and the cut above the hole is required in order to avoid the crack in production parts (above the cut). If this cut does not exist, the pressure around the upper hole affects all surrounding directions. This cut stops the pressure to the upward. The robot that performs this method must use two mechanical tools (drill and chainsaw).

In proposed drilling method B, holes are lined with 45 (°) with a constant distance. As we mentioned the above, trees have fibers in the longitudinal directions. Making shearing stress around the fibers is reasonable to divide a tree. The 45 (°) line makes the sharing stress. If the holes are lined with 0 (°) (horizontally), the pressure from two beside holes makes compressive force around the fibers. This is not effective to break the fibers. Thus, the previous method in Fig. 2 is not effective to a tree as we examine later. The robot that performs this method requires only drill. Thus, the implementation for a robot is easier than proposed drilling method A.

Fig. 5
figure 5

Proposed drilling method A. In proposed drilling method A, two holes are opened in the longitudinal direction of the tree. A cut is made from the surface of the tree to the lower hole. The second cut is made above the upper hole. After the reaction of expansion agent, two holes are connected by a crack. The upper cutstops the crack in order to keep the product part without damage

Fig. 6
figure 6

Proposed drilling method B. In proposed drilling method B, a line of holes is made at 45 (°) against the longitudinal direction of the tree so that the angled holes affect sharing force to the fibers of the tree

Addition to the proposed drilling methods, we prepared some drilling methods like Fig. 7 in order to compare them with proposed drilling methods. These methods are also our original and not included in the previous drilling methods that have been applied to rocks.

Fig. 7
figure 7

Schematic of drilling

Experiment

Settings

In the experiment, the proposed method and previous method were compared using cedar logs that have about 400 (mm) length, about 180–200 (mm) diameter. The procedure of the experiment is as follows:

  1. 1.

    Drilling the log.

  2. 2.

    Putting NDA in water for 4 min.

  3. 3.

    Filling the holes by NDA.

  4. 4.

    Confirming the result 14 h later.

We conducted 6 experiments. In Experiment 1, we made holes using Conventional drilling method A. In Experiment 2, we made holes using Conventional drilling method B. These two experiments were done in order to confirm the effectiveness of conventional drilling methods. The results of them show the base lines of the proposed methods.

In Experiment 3, we made holes as in Fig. 7. In this experiment, we confirmed the effectiveness of the NDA when the holes are opened holizontally with some cuts. If holizontal cuts were enlarged by the NDA, these methods were good solutions.

In Experiment 4, we made holes using the proposed drilling method A. In Experiment 5, we made holes using the proposed drilling method B. These two experiments were done in order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

In Experiment 6, we examined the both proposed drilling methods in forest in order to confirm their applicability on the field. This experiment was done under the temperature of 9.0–13.7 (°C) in a forest of Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture of Japan. The altitude was around 10 (m). The slope gradient was 0–25 (°). For method A and B, we used cedar trees with diameters of 277 and 234 (mm). Before the experiment, the trees around the targeted tree were cut, in order to assure the safety of the experiment.

All of the holes were filled by NDA.

Table 2 shows the detailed drilling patterns of the logs A-G that were used in Experiment 1. The durations of the holes were set evenly around the circumference of the trunk. The holes were opened in the order of front, back, front, back, etc. Especially for Log G, we covered the surface of inside the holes using vinyl sheets in order to prevent the water in NDA from absorption. Figure 8 shows the drilled logs.

Table 2 Drilling parameters (Experiment 1)
Fig. 8
figure 8

Logs drilled by conventional method A (13) and B (4)

In Experiment 2, we made Log H that had 3 holes with 30 (mm) diameter using previous method B as in Fig. 8(4). The first hole was made at the center of the log. The lest of it was made at 60 (mm) left/right from the center.

In Experiment 3, we made 30 (mm) diameter holes after making the cuts using a chainsaw. Table 3 shows the parameters. Figure 7 shows the schematic of the drilling.

Table 3 Drilling parameter (Experiment 3)

In Experiment 4, parameters \(d_1\) and \(d_2\) were set at 80 and 20 (mm) respectively for Log N.

In Experiment 5, parameters \(d_3\) was set at 50 (mm) for Log O.

In Experiment 6, we used the same parameters as Experiment 4 and 5 for two standing trees, and used \(d_3 = 35\) for a tree and connected half holes by drill while grabbing the production part of the tree using a harvester in order to conduct the experiment in safe.

Results

Figure 9 shows Log C, D, and F after the reaction of NDA in Experiment 1. Log C and D did not change their appearance. Log F got a small crack. Figure 10 shows the cross-section surfaces of Log E and G. The volume of NDA increased regardless the existence of vinyl sheets. Conventional drilling method A could not divide the logs.

Fig. 9
figure 9

Results of conventional drilling method A. Conventional drilling method A could not divide the logs. But, when the holes were large (3), crack was appeared on the surface of the log

Fig. 10
figure 10

Cross-section surfaces. In drilling method A, NDA expanded the holes by its pressure

Figure 11 shows the outer appearance and cross-section surface of Log H after the reaction of the expansion agent in Experiment 2. By straightly made holes, a larger crack than that of Log F appeared. However, the crack did not connect the holes.

Fig. 11
figure 11

Result of Log H. In drilling method B, larger cracks than those of drilling method A appeared around holes. However, the logs were not divided

Figure 12 shows the results of Experiment 3. Log I was not divided, although clacks appeared in the longitudinal direction. The expansion agent in Log J and K enlarged the cuts of the logs, especially Log K got larger affection. Log L got the clacks from the holes in the longitudinal direction. In Log M, the cut was enlarged and the log was split in the longitudinal direction. However, all of the logs did not divided in horizontal direction. Also, the upper parts of the logs, which will be used, took damage.

Fig. 12
figure 12

Results of Experiment 3. A variety of drilling methods were tested. However, NDA made cracks in the product part of the trees in these methods

Figure 13 shows the results of Experiment 4. The proposed method A was able to divide Log N horizontally through creating the crack between the holes.

Fig. 13
figure 13

Result of Experiment 4. Proposed drilling method A could divide the log without any crack in the product part

Figure 14 shows the results of Experiment 5. The proposed method B was able to divide Log O horizontally through creating the crack between the holes.

Fig. 14
figure 14

Result of Experiment 5. Proposed drilling method B could also divide the log without any crack in the product part

Figures 15, 16, and 17 show the experimental results in forest. Both proposed drilling methods were effective against standing trees. Also the product parts of the felled trees [Fig. 17(1), (2)] did not have cracks. Figure 17(3) is the result of the test for the safety while drilling. In this experiment, the thickness of the tree was cut in to less than 1/5 of the other two trees. Even in this condition, the tree could stand without falling.

Fig. 15
figure 15

Result of Experiment 6 (method A)

Fig. 16
figure 16

Result of Experiment 6 (method B)

Fig. 17
figure 17

Result of Experiment 6 [product part (1) (2) and additional test (3)]

Discussion

Requirements

The two proposed methods might be effective to fell trees, because they could divide even the logs that take no pressure from the above. In actual trees, the tearing of fibers easily occurs by their self-pressure.

Proposed method B is quite easy to be automated, because it requires only drills. Automating proposed method A might be more difficult than that of B, because proposed method A requires two types of mechanical tools. But, we can not get rid of the use of proposed method A completely, because proposed drilling method A requires less amount of NDA than proposed method B.

The both proposed methods effectively kept the quality of woods. In the experiments, any crack occurred on the surface of the product parts.

Diameter of holes

The effective diameter of holes is larger than 25 (mm), because the holes with 25 (mm) did not extend any crack in Experiment 1. This reason might be the shortage of the volume of the expansion agent. From the cross section surface of Log E and G, we can confirm the effectiveness directly.

Additional cuts

We can make tearing force by making additional cuts after drilling like Experiment 3. In this experiment, the pressure around the holes works only up and down. However, controlling the tearing force so that it affects only horizontal direction was difficult, because of the fibers that are placed in longitudinal direction. As a result, logs were torn along with the fibers. Proposed method A is effectively using the characteristic of the fibers. The crack in longitudinal direction is included in the division surface of resulting two piece of woods.

Reaction time

In the proposed method, we can control the reaction duration of the expansion agent. The reaction time of calcium oxide is quite rapid. In NDA, it is supressed by additional materials. Thus, we can easily control the duration by changing the amount of the additional materials.

The workers of Kamaishi Forest Ownership Association want to use it at night. If they set the expansion agent and alarms, they can sleep in a lodge while the reaction occurs. After the reaction, they can take the trees on the ground at the tomorrow morning.

Automation

Although the proposed methods allow a worker to fell a tree safer than previous methods, we need to automate the drilling method and insertion method in order to make sale product, because manual drilling and insertion cost a large time (currently about 20 min). If we consider the automation of drilling method, proposed drilling method B might be better than proposed drilling method A, because it requires only a type of cutting tool and might be realized by cheaper price. But, if we consider the amount of required expansion agent, drilling method A might be better. For the automation of the insertion, we can use a lapped expansion agent. Currently, the reason why insertion process costs much time is that expansion agent is half liquid. If we lap it, we can handle it like a solid. After the development of these automation techniques, the time to set expansion agent might be going to be 1 min or so.

Drawbacks

We summarize the drawbacks of the proposed methods. Firstry, the proposed methods require NDA addition to mechanical system for cutting a tree. Even if the finantial cost of NDA is small, it is not zero. Secondly, there is no evidence that the proposed methods are able to control falling direction of a tree. We need additional experiments and improvements in order to assure controllability. Thirdly, we need additional devices that alart a person who comes close to a tree that took NDA in order to assure the safety of people. Especially when using NDA while workers are sleeping, exclusion zone of the forest must be set. To sign the exclusion zone, we need additional devise.

Conclusion

We proposed tree felling framework that take into account the safety of workers and robots. In the framework, we proposed two drilling methods too. The proposed methods effectively divided logs through the reaction of expansion agent with time delay. Thus, all of the workers and robots are able to escape from the tree before it falls down. From the experiments, the radius of the holes should be more than 25 (mm). The directions of the holes should be straight. The heights of the holes should be differentiated. In the proposed drilling methods, all of these features are took into account.

Notes

  1. The number of injured workers in a year among 1000 workers.

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Authors' contributions

CHK proposed the consept, analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript. HA, AN, and JK acquired data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

A part of this research is on the support of Iwate Next Future Industry Seeds Growing Research. We would like to thank the cooperation of Kamaishi Forest Owner’s Association and Ishimura industrial Co. Ltd.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Correspondence to Chyon Hae Kim.

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Kim, C.H., Abe, H., Numakura, A. et al. Safe tree felling using expansion agent. Robomech J 4, 7 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40648-017-0075-5

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