Method and apparatus for in situ evaluation of wooden members

A method for testing the integrity of in situ wooden members of a wood type, the wooden members extending along a longitudinal axis from an exposed first end to a second end embedded in a medium, comprising the steps of:

• a) inducing an acoustic wave into the wooden member, the wave directed longitudinally from the first end to the second end;
• b) detecting a first time of a passage of the acoustic wave past a measurement point along the length of the wooden member during its travel to the second end;
• c) detecting a second time of a passage of the acoustic wave past the measurement point when reflected from the second end toward the first end;
• d) estimating the distance traveled by the acoustic wave between the first and second times;
• e) calculating the longitudinal sound speed through the wooden member from the first and second times and the distance;
• f) comparing the sound speed to a reference speed indicating integrity of the wood type;
• and
• g) outputting a value indicative of the integrity of the wooden member.