Laboratory Exercise No.

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WOOD COMPRESSION TEST

INTRODUCTION
Wood is an important construction material. It may be used as roof truss, rafter, purlins,
wall studding, post, scaffolding, and formwork among others. It is therefore essential to
determine mechanical properties wood before calculating its sizes especially for load
bearing and moment resisting applications.
Compression tests of wood are usually performed with the load applied parallel and
perpendicular to the grain. Beam, joist, girt and rafter are some of the wood members
where load is applied perpendicular to the grain. Post is the usual member where load
is applied along or parallel to the grain.
Part of the test is to see also the relationship between density and compressive strength
of wood.

APPARATUS
1. Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
2. Compressometer or dial gage
3. Vernier caliper
4. Meter
5. Analytical balance

SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
Dimensions of wood samples are nominally 50 mm x 50 mm x 200 mm and planed in all
sides. Samples should be air or kiln dried and free from defects. The ends should be
perpendicular with respect to the sides. Wood samples should also vary in terms of
density.

PROCEDURE

A. Parallel to the Grain

1. Measure and record the actual dimensions and mass of the specimens.

2. Place the sample at the center of the bottom platen of the UTM with its grain in
the vertical direction or parallel to the compressive force. (Refer Figure 1.1a.)

3. Lower the top platen such that it is simply touching the sample.

4. Attach the compressometer to the specimen. This will measure wood sample
deformation throughout the compression process.

5. Apply the load (compressive force) slowly while simultaneously reading the load
and axial deformation until the sample fails. Describe the type of failure as
indicated in Figure 1.2.

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B. Perpendicular to the Grain
1. Measure and record the actual dimensions and mass of the specimens.

2. Place the sample at the center of the bottom platen of the UTM with its grain in
the horizontal direction or perpendicular to the compressive force. (Refer Figure
1.1b.)

3. Place a 50-mm wide steel plate on top of the specimen to concentrate the
applied load to the center of the specimen.

4. Apply the load slowly while simultaneously reading the load and axial
deformation until the sample fails.

CALCULATIONS

1. Strain ()


 
L

where:
 = deformation (mm)
L = length of the sample (mm)

2. Compressive Stress ()

P
 
A

where:
P = compressive force (N)
A = cross-sectional area of the sample (mm2)

3. Modulus of Elasticity (E)


E


where:
 = compressive stress (N/mm2 or MPa))
 = strain (dimensionless)

Figure 1.1. Compression Test Setup

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a) Parallel to the Grain b) Perpendicular to the Grain

Figure 1.2. Types of Failure in Compression Parallel to the Grain.

Crushing failure
The plane of rupture is approximately
horizontal

Wedge split failure

The direction of split maybe radial or
tangential

Shearing failure
The plane of rupture makes an angle of
more than 45 with the top of the sample

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 Splitting failure
This type of failure uasually occurs in
samples having internal defects prior to
test and shall be the basis rejecting the
sample.

Compression and Shearing Parallel to

Grain
This failure uasually occurs in cross-
grained pieces and shall be basis for
rejecting the sample.

Brooming or End-Rolling
This type of failure is usually associated
with either an excess moisture content at
the ends of the sample, improper cutting
of the sample, or both. This is not an
acceptable type of failure and is usually
associated with reduced load.
Consideration should be given to
remedial conditions when this type of
failure is observed.

REFERENCES

1. ASTM D143, Standard Methods of Testing Small Clear Specimens of Timber,

Vol 4.10.

2. ASTM D2555, Standard Test Methods for Establishing Clear Wood Strength
Values, Vol 4.10.

Laboratory Exercise No. 1

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 WOOD COMPRESSION TEST

DATA WORKSHEET

A. Parallel to the Grain

Table 1.1 Sample Properties

Sample Physical Properties

ID b (mm) d (mm) L (mm) Density (kg/m3)
S1A
S2A
S3A
S4A

Table 1.2 Compression Test Collected of Data

Reading Load, P (N) Deformation,  (mm)

No. S1A S2A S3A S4A S1A S2A S3A S4A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

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 Table 1.3 Calculated Strains and Stresses

Reading Strain,  (%) Stress,  (MPa)

No. S1A S2A S3A S4A S1A S2A S3A S4A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Figure 1.3. Stress – Strain Diagram

Stress (MPa)

Table 1.4. Summary of Sample

StrainProperties
(%) for Compression Test

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 Sample Density Compressive Modulus Maximum Compressive
ID (kg/m3) of Elasticity (GPa) Stress (MPa)
S1A
S2A
S3A
S4A

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

ILLUSTRATIONS OR PHOTOS OF SAMPLES

B. Perpendicular to the Grain

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 Table 1.5 Sample Properties

Sample Physical Properties

ID b (mm) d (mm) L (mm) Density (kg/m3)
S1B
S2B
S3B
S4B

Table 1.6 Compression Test Collected of Data

Reading Load, P (N) Deformation,  (mm)

No. S1B S2B S3B S4B S1B S2B S3B S4B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

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 Table 1.7 Calculated Strains and Stresses

Reading Strain,  (%) Stress,  (MPa)

No. S1B S2B S3B S4B S1B S2B S3B S4B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Figure 1.4 Stress – Strain Diagram

Stress (MPa)

Table 1.8 Summary of Sample

StrainProperties
(%) for Compression Test

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 Compressive Modulus
Sample Density of Elasticity (GPa) Maximum Compressive
ID (kg/m3) Stress (MPa)

S1B
S2B
S3B
S4B

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

ILLUSTRATIONS OR PHOTOS OF SAMPLES

GROUP No. _________

Group Leader: __________________
Group Members: Signature:
1. _____________________ ____________
2. _____________________ ____________
3. _____________________ ____________
4. _____________________ ____________

Approved by:

_____________________
(Instructor)

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