Critical discussion of perpendicular to grain tension testing of structural timber – case study on the European hardwoods ash,beech and maple

ABSTRACT

Knowledge about perpendicular to grain tension behavior of wood is essential, since in construction tension stresses perpendicular to grain cannot be avoided completely. Especially for hardwoods, the data basis is scarce. EN 338 design values are with 0.6 N/mm² characteristic strength set very low. The US-American National Design Specifications even set this value to zero and make local reinforcements mandatory. This paper compares strength and stiffness values attained with newly-designed, little, prismatic specimens and EN 408 structural timber specimens to evaluate the current European design values. Little specimen’s characteristic strength values range from 7.2 to 10.6?N/mm² and are assumed to be real material properties. EN 408 specimen values are with approximately 4.0?N/mm² lower. These lower values are mainly due to stress peaks introduced by the force introduction. Strength values attained for the medium-dense European hardwoods beech, ash and maple exceed EN 338 design values by a factor of six to seven. Adaptation of the EN 338 design value is not recommended, though. The abundance of influencing factors makes clear that the design value and the ensuing design code have to be synchronized carefully by tedious testing in order to make use of the perpendicular to grain tension strength potential of the selected hardwoods.     

Effect of size and geometry on strength values and MOE of selected hardwood species

The total hardwood timber stock of German forests is fast growing. The lack of knowledge concerning test standards, product standards and sorting criteria makes it difficult to expand the processing and marketing of hardwoods into the field of construction usage. Strength and stiffness data derived from small, defect-free specimens do mostly exist, but in order to be able to insert hardwoods into building applications, data derived from real size specimens is needed. Subsequently, the results of these two different specimen categories need to be correlated and the so-called size effect needs to be quantified and qualified. This paper aims to analyze the size effect of defect-free compression, bending and tensile specimens for the six European hardwood species maple (Acer spp.), birch (Betula pendula), beech (Fagus sylvatica), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), oak (Quercus spp.) and lime (Tilia spp.). They are tested exclusively parallel to grain. Regarding the compression strength for maple, birch and ash, the specimen dimensions did not influence the compression strength value. For beech, oak and lime, it was observed that compression strength increased as the specimen volume was increased. The bending strength of all species decreased as the specimen dimensions increased. Concerning the tensile strength, a clear statement on whether dimensions influence the tensile strength value is not possible. Further research with adjusted specimen sizes, specimen shapes and machine set-ups is needed. Regarding the compression and bending MOE, in most cases, the dimensions did not influence the MOE values. In tensile testing, MOE values differed significantly for the different specimen sizes. Whether these differences were due to slightly different test set-ups in the different sizes or a true size effect could not be answered conclusively.     

Long-term material properties of circular hollow laminated veneer lumber sections under water saturation and cement alkaline attack

ABSTRACT

Innovative beech laminated veneer lumber (LVL) circular hollow sections for the use as temporary geotechnical soil nailing systems are currently being developed. Due to the permanent subsoil cement embedment, combined with high water saturation and permanent loading, the timber sections will lose strength and stiffness over time to a degree currently unknown. This paper presents the tensile and bending material properties of flat and curved beech LVL under various periods of immersion in a water–cement grout solution aiming at inducing both water saturation and long-term alkaline attack of the timber. In total, 824 and 279 samples were tested in tension and bending, respectively. Results show that samples manufactured from 3?mm thick veneers result in tensile strength and stiffness 17% and 24% higher, respectively, than samples manufactured from 2?mm thick veneers. A reduction in the initial bending and tensile strength of up to 70% was found after 90 days of water saturation and cement contact. Taking into account a duration of load factor for permanent loading of two years, it is recommended to reduce the short-term tensile and bending strength of beech circular hollow sections to be used as geotechnical anchors by 80%.     

Mechanical Properties of Picea sitchensis

This study establishes the basis for the assignment of Danish - grown Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) to the European strength class system (EN 338). In total, 712 boards were chosen to be representative of the normal Danish commodity. These were visually graded for strength according to Nordic rules (INSTA 142), and subsequently tested to failure in either bending or tension. The results show that Danish - grown Sitka spruce graded to levels T1 and T2 satisfy the requirements of EN 338 at the C18 and C24 levels, respectively. Results for Danish - grown Sitka spruce concur with those for Danish - grown Norway spruce (Picea abies). This study shows that Sitka spruce and Norway spruce of similar origins exhibit highly comparable mechanical properties.     

Failure criterion for timber beams loaded in bending,compression and shear

Abstract

Based on the elastic–plastic strength calculation, necessary for precise data explanation, a derivation is given of the failure criterion for combined bending, compression and shear. This exact limit state criterion should replace the unacceptable unsafe criteria of Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1:2004). It is shown that the principle used thus far, of limited “flow” in axial compression as a determining failure criterion, for example, predicting no influence of a size effect, does not hold. Instead, it is derived and confirmed by the data that bending tension failure is always determining, showing the existence of a size effect, and correction of the existing calculation method is therefore necessary. Because of the primary importance of the size effect for the strengths, also for combined bending–compression, a simple derivation of the size effect design equations is given and discussed in an appendix.     

Grading and mechanical characterization of small-diameter round chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) timber from thinning operations

ABSTRACT

In forestry, thinning operations result in the extraction of young trees with small dimensions. The evaluation of the potential end use of these small-diameter logs (currently mainly used as poles or fence posts) for added-value products such as structural timber is of considerable economic and industrial interests. In the present work, 216 pieces of small-diameter logs of chestnut timber obtained from thinning operations were evaluated in order to determine their mechanical properties and assess various visual or non-destructive grading systems. The two visual standards evaluated (EN 1927 and DIN 4074) were ineffective in grading according to mechanical properties. On the other hand, a grading system based on a non-destructive measurement (acoustic wave velocity) resulted in better classification by structural quality. The characteristic values of the small-diameter round chestnut timber, determined according to the standards EN 384 and EN 338, achieved similar values as standard rectangular sawn timber with respect to modulus of elasticity and density, and higher values for bending strength.     

Characterization of strength properties of branchwood and stemwood of some tropical hardwood species

The mechanical strength properties of the branchwood of Aningeria robusta and Terminalia ivorensis with diameters ranging from 10 to 25 cm were examined to determine the suitability of branchwood as raw material for downstream processing. The study precisely assessed the static bending strengths, compression strengths and shear strengths parallel to the grain of the branchwood and stemwood of T. ivorensis and A. robusta. It was observed that under static bending, the overall (sapwood and heartwood combined) modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of the branchwood of A. robusta and T. ivorensis were lower than that of their corresponding stemwood. The results further show that the overall compression and shear strengths parallel to the grain of the branchwood of A. robusta and T. ivorensis were higher than that of their corresponding stemwood. Under static bending, compression parallel to the grain, and shear parallel to the grain, the experimental results indicate that the sapwood of the branchwood from both T. ivorensis and A. robusta had lower strength values than that of their corresponding heartwood. Similar results were recorded for the stemwood of T. ivorensis where the heartwood had higher strength values than the sapwood. However, in the case of the stemwood of A. robusta, the sapwood had higher strength values than the corresponding heartwood.     

European hardwoods versus Eucalyptus globulus as a raw material for pulping

The importance of eucalypt as a raw material for pulping is steadily growing. Eucalyptus globulus was compared with European hardwood species using two alkaline pulping processes, kraft and alkaline sulfite, anthraquinone pulping (ASA), which is a recently developed modified alkaline sulfite process. All cooks were performed to similar kappa numbers. Poplar cooks resulted in the highest yields followed by eucalypt and birch which were on the same level. Yield of beech pulps was definitely lower. ASA pulps show a moderate higher yield due to the less alkaline pH-profile of the cooking liquor. This yield advantage was maintained and even enhanced after TCF-bleaching. The bleaching response of all pulps was excellent. The birch pulps had the highest tensile strength followed by the poplar and beech pulps. Surprisingly eucalypt pulps had the lowest tensile strength. But this was compensated by the very good tear index of eucalypt pulps. The runnability factor, as an index for the overall strength potential, was on the same level for all pulps. Due to the higher hemicellulose content of the ASA pulps their tensile strengths were higher, but tear strengths lower compared to the kraft pulps. The different morphology of the hardwoods investigated resulted in different volumes and light scattering coefficients of the corresponding pulps. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult.Walter Liese on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Influence of growth ring angle,adhesive system and viscosity on the shear strength of adhesive bonds

Abstract

To investigate the influence of growth ring angle, adhesive system and viscosity on the bonding properties of adhesive bonds, shear tension tests according to DIN EN 302-1 (2004) were conducted using one-component moisture-curing polyurethane, polyvinylacetate and urea-formaldehyde. Significant differences between the systems could be detected, which were reflected in the predominant failure behaviour for each system. Specimens showing wood failure were influenced mainly by the wood factors, whereas samples which had failed in the adhesive part of the bond differed only in the adhesive properties. The growth ring angle showed the same tendencies as it does in plain wood. Therefore, to gain more information on the adhesive performance in the bond, a loading along the LT plane seems more appropriate for beech wood used in DIN EN 302-1 (2004).     

Gluability of thermally modified beech (Fagus silvatica L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) wood

Abstract

One of the main disadvantages of wood is hygroscopicity resulting from its polar character. The sorption–desorption of water causes unwanted swelling and shrinkage in wood. Thermal modification substantially reduces this inconvenient feature. Unfortunately, the same chemical changes that reduce water sorption alter the polar character of the material and result in poorer wetting of thermally treated wood by waterborne adhesives. Gluability of thermally modified beech (Fagus silvatica L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) wood with two commercial amino resins, melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) and melamine–formaldehyde (MF), and a two-component polyurethane (PUR) adhesive was investigated. Both wood species were modified according to two temperature regimes: 160°C and 190°C. Shear strengths of the joints were then determined according to EN 205:2003 standard. The results showed that thermally modified beech and birch wood can be effectively glued not only with commercially available PUR adhesives, but also with aqueous MF and MUF resins. The resultant shear strengths of the joints were limited by the strength of the thermally modified substrate.     

Influence of accessory substances,wood density and interlocked grain on the compressive properties of hardwoods

Wood samples of nine tropical hardwoods from Peru and sugar maple wood from Quebec were selected to perform moisture sorption tests associated with parallel-to-grain and tangential compression tests using a multiple step procedure at 25°C. Cold-water and hot-water extractives, sequential cyclohexane (CYC), acetone (ACE) and methanol (MET) extracts, ash content (ASH), wood density and interlocked grain (IG) were evaluated on matched samples too. Wood density corrected for the accessory substances was by far the major factor positively affecting the compressive properties of tropical hardwoods. The total amount of accessory substances is required in order to establish better relationships between physico–mechanical properties and density of tropical hardwoods. For a given wood density, the ultimate stress in parallel-to-grain compression was higher in tropical hardwoods than in temperate hardwoods. However, the compliance coefficients for both types of woods were quite similar. Sequential extraction with organic solvents was the most suitable method for evaluating the effect of extractives on compressive properties of tropical hardwoods. The CYC and ACE fractions did not contribute to variation in these mechanical properties. The substances dissolved in MET affected positively the compliance coefficient s ₁₁ in parallel-to-grain compression and negatively the compliance coefficient s ₃₃ in tangential compression. The IG decreased the compliance coefficient s ₁₁ but also decreased the ultimate stress in parallel-to-grain compression. Finally, variations in compressive properties that were due to changes in equilibrium moisture content (EMC) were clearly influenced by wood density; denser woods were more sensitive to changes in EMC than lighter woods.     

Strength and stiffness capacity utilisation of timber members in roof truss structures

The main objective of this study was to determine which property, of the six strength and stiffness properties used in structural timber design, was the most influential in the design of nail-plated roof trusses. Thirty recently completed nail-plated roof truss designs were randomly selected from three roof truss manufacturing plants and a total of 8 758 individual truss members were analysed for bending stress, shear stress parallel to grain, tensile stress parallel to grain, compression stress parallel to grain and deflection. The mean strength and stiffness capacity utilised of all the different design properties was well below 50% for all of the different dimension classes. Of all the individual strength properties, the mean bending strength capacity utilised per member was found to be the highest. The results of this study can be used for decision support related to wood property evaluation through? out the structural lumber value chain where roof truss members are the end products.     

Influence of pressing parameters on mechanical and physical properties of self-bonded laminated beech boards

Abstract

Five-ply self-bonded boards were obtained by pressing beech veneers parallel to the grain without additional adhesives, steam or pre-treatment. Fifteen different combinations of pressing parameters were tested, including temperature (200°C, 225°C and 250°C), pressure (4, 5 and 6 MPa) and pressing time (240, 300 and 360 seconds). Due to severe pressing conditions, the new product showed a higher density and different properties compared to a conventionally glued laminated wooden board. The self-bonding quality was assessed through dry shear strength tests, through a three-point bending test and a water-soaking test at 20°C. The dimensions in the cross section of the boards were measured after soaking in water. Results show that the choice of pressing parameters affects all the mechanical and physical properties tested. A statistical analysis revealed that the pressing temperature is the most influential parameter. Boards pressed at 200°C delaminated rapidly in water, whereas boards pressed at 225°C delaminated only at core-positioned layers after 48 hours and boards pressed at 250°C did not delaminate at all in water. Compared to panels pressed at lower temperatures, boards pressed at 250°C had the highest density, a higher shear and bending strength and a lower water absorption.     

Cement-bonded particleboard with a mixture of wheat straw and poplar wood

We investigated the hydration behavior and some physical/mechanical properties of cement-bonded particleboard (CBPB) containing particles of wheat straw and poplar wood at various usage ratios and bonded with Portland cement mixed with different levels of inorganic additives. We determined the setting time and compression strength of cement pastes containing different additives and particles, and studied the effects of these additives and particles on thickness swelling, internal bond strength and modulus of rupture of CBPB by using RSM (Response Surface Methodology). The mathematical model equations (second-order response functions) were derived to optimize properties of CBPB by computer simulation programming. Predicted values were in agreement with experimental values (R2 values of 0.93, 0.96 and 0.96 for TS, IB and MOR, respectively). RSM can be efficiently applied to model panel properties. The variables can affect the properties of panels. The cement composites with bending strength > 12.5 MPa and internal bond strength > 0.28 MPa can be made by using wheat straw as a reinforcing material. Straw particle usage up to 11.5% in the mixture satisfies the minimum requirements of International Standard, EN 312 (2003) for IB and MOR. The dose of 4.95% calcium chloride, by weight of cement, can improve mechanical properties of the panels at the minimum requirement of EN 312. By increasing straw content from 0 to 30%, TS was reduced by increasing straw particle usage up to 1.5% and with 5.54% calcium chloride in the mixture, TS satisfied the EN 312 standard.     

Bending and shear properties of compressed Sitka spruce

We examined the bending and shear properties of compressed wood using small and clear specimens of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.). For measuring the bending properties, three-point bending tests were conducted under the span/depth ratio of 14, which is standardized in the American Society for Testing and Materials [ASTM D143-94 (2005a)] and Japanese Industrial Standards [JIS Z2101-94 (1994)]. In the bending test, the load, deflection at the midspan, and strain at the bottom of the midspan were simultaneously measured, and Young’s modulus and bending strength were obtained by elementary beam theory. For obtaining the shear modulus and shear strength, asymmetric four-point bending tests were conducted using the specimens with rectangular and side-grooved cross sections, respectively, and the influence of the compression ratio on the shear properties was examined. The results are summarized as follows: (1) Young’s modulus increased with increasing compression ratio when it was determined by the load–strain relation. Nevertheless, this tendency was rather obscured when Young’s modulus was determined by the load–deflection relation. Hence, it is preferable that Young’s modulus is measured from the load–strain relation. (2) The shear modulus in the longitudinal–tangential plane was maximum at the compression ratio of 50%, whereas that in the longitudinal–radial plane was minimum at the compression ratio of 50%. (3) The influence of the compression on the bending and shear strength ratio was not significant.     

A feasibility study of using two-component polyurethane adhesive in constructing wooden structures

This investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of using a two-component polyurethane （PUR） adhesive, with special waterproof properties, in constructing wooden structures. We designed and conducted tests to compare the shear strength and adhesion performance of PUR with polyvinyl acetate （PVAc） adhesive on block-shear specimens constructed of oriental beech （Fagus orientalis L.）, fir （Abies alba Mill.）, poplar （Populus deltoides Bartr.）, white oak （Quercus alba L.）, sycamore （Platanus orientalis L.） and white walnut （Juglans cinerea L.）. The values of the percentage of wood failure were also determined in specimens constructed with each adhesive. The highest shear strength values of both adhesives were obtained in specimens constructed of beech, while the lowest shear strength values were obtained in fir and poplar specimens. Average shear strength of the PUR adhesive was 16.5% higher than that of the PVAc adhesive. Specimens constructed of fir, poplar and sycamore were characterised by the highest percentages of wood failure, whereas the lowest average percentages of wood failure were obtained in beech and oak specimens. With the exception of oak specimens, there was no statistically significant difference between percentage of wood failure among the PUR and PVAc adhesives. Generally, the PUR adhesive showed an acceptable adhesion performance on wood materials used in our study.     

Supplementing pine with European beech and poplar in oriented strand boards

Abstract

The objective of the study was to compare the properties of oriented strand boards (OSBs) made from the following mixtures: European beech and poplar, beech and pine, poplar and pine and 100% pine (i.e. the conventional raw material for OSB in Europe). Panels with 50–50% of beech-poplar/beech-pine/poplar-pine at two density levels of 650 kg/m³ and 720 kg/m³ were made with 5% pMDI (poly methylene di-isocyanate) as binder at 180°C and 240s as press conditions. Results showed that panels comprising a mixture of European beech and poplar have higher mechanical properties compared to panels made with mixtures of pine-beech or pine-poplar. In addition, for all panels, when density is increased from 650 kg/m³ to 720 kg/m³, mechanical properties increased. Internal bond values for all designs were in the same range, especially at higher density (720 kg/m³). The pure pine panels showed lower values between different designs. Thickness swelling, an important physical property of OSB, improved when face and core layers consisted of a mixture of beech and poplar strands.     

Development of test methods for wooden furniture joints

Abstract

Joints are generally the weakest part of furniture and they are primary cause of failure. To ensure durability and performance of furniture, it is important for a designer to understand the stresses acting on the joints for preparing suitable design and specification of a furniture. Since each type of joint is unique in construction, it is important to know their strength, when subjected to various stresses namely shear, bending, and tensile, by testing the joints. Since there is no established test method for joints, this study was carried out to categorize joints based on their shape, identify the stresses acting over them and develop test methods for testing furniture joints in three modes namely shear, bending, and tension, which are required for designing joints of any furniture and also provide means of comparing strength of different types of joints. Different types of furniture joints were taken for the study and were classified based on their shapes such as L-shaped, T-shaped, straight, and corner joints. Six types of jigs (one type for bending, two types for shear, and three types for tension) were designed and developed for testing the joints, in such a way that any type of joint can be tested in three modes, i.e., bending, shear, and tension using a universal testing machine. The criteria for section of jigs for performing tests on joints, based on their shape and stresses acting on a particular joint, were reported. Tests were carried out using all the six type of jigs to check the suitability of jigs and test methods developed in the study.     

Effect of fungal exposure on the strength of thermally modified Norway spruce and Scots pine

Abstract

Thermal modification at elevated temperatures changes the chemical, biological and physical properties of wood. In this study, the effects of the level of thermal modification and the decay exposure (natural durability against soft-rot microfungi) on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of the sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce were investigated with a static bending test using a central loading method in accordance with EN 408 (1995). The results were compared with four reference wood species: Siberian larch, bangkirai, merbau and western red cedar. In general, both the thermal modification and the decay exposure decreased the strength properties. On average, the higher the thermal modification temperature, the more MOE and MOR decreased with unexposed samples and increased with decayed samples, compared with the unmodified reference samples. The strength of bangkirai was least reduced in the group of the reference wood species. On average, untreated wood material will be stronger than thermally modified wood material until wood is exposed to decaying fungi. Thermal modification at high temperatures over 210°C very effectively prevents wood from decay; however, strength properties are then affected by thermal modification itself.