The formula to calculate the wood shrinkage amount is:
\[ SA = OW \times \left(\frac{MC}{100}\right) \times SC \]
Where:
Wood shrinkage is the reduction in the dimensions of wood as it loses moisture. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding environment. As the moisture content in wood decreases, the wood fibers contract, leading to shrinkage. The shrinkage coefficient is a measure of how much the wood will shrink per percent change in moisture content and varies depending on the species of wood and the direction of the grain.
Let's say you have a piece of wood with an original width of 10 inches, a moisture content change of 5%, and a shrinkage coefficient of 0.02. Using the formula:
\[ SA = 10 \times \left(\frac{5}{100}\right) \times 0.02 \]
We get:
\[ SA = 0.01 \text{ inches} \]
So, the wood shrinkage amount is 0.01 inches.