%0 Journal Article %T RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF WOOD AND WOOD BASED MATERIALS %A Rafael Rodolfo de Melo %A Cl¨¢udio Henrique Soares Del Menezzi %J Revista Ci¨ºncia da Madeira %D 2010 %I Federal University of Pelotas %X The wood, as well as other construction materials, presents changes in this stiffness and strength when submitted to a long time loading. This phenomenon is important in the analyses resistance capacity of structural materials. Mechanically, the wood behaves as aviscous-elastic solid. However, over time, the structural elements submitted to permanent or cyclic loading presents some deformation, which denotes a viscous-elastic behavior. This characteristic is influenced mainly on the intensity and duration of loading. In this study a review of rheological phenomenon is presented, showing up the causes and effects for a better understanding, which is essential for the appropriate and efficient use of the wood and wood composites as structural materials. %K rheology %K time dependent properties %K creep %K relaxation %U http://www.ufpel.tche.br/revistas/index.php/cienciadamadeira/article/view/8/cienciadamadeiran1v1a3