The present project aimed to characterize the wood of the species Qualea Albiflora (Mandioqueira), in order to enable its use for structural purposes. The tests to obtain the physical and mechanical characteristics were carried out according to the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 7190 (1997), allowing the classification of the species as wood suitable for use in heavy constructions. After the characterization, it was verified with the aid of regression models (linear, logarithmic, exponential and geometric), that it is not possible to make use of the apparent density in the estimation of the other physical and mechanical characteristics, obtaining a bad adjustment in all the cases (R² 0.05).

André L. Christoforo: Civil Engineer, Master and Doctor in Structural Engineering and professor at UFSCar / DECiv. Tulio H. Panzera: Mechanical Engineer, Master and PhD in Mechanical Engineering and professor at UFSJ / DEMEc. Francisco A. Rocco Lahr: Civil Engineer, Master and Doctor in Structural Engineering and full professor at USP / EESC / SET.