Ain Shams University – Faculty of Engineering

Tension, Compression, Shear and Flexure Test Reports

of Balsa Wood
Tension Test Report:
Test Data:

ASTM Designation ASTM D143

Number of Samples: 3 samples
Dimensions: According to D143-94 (2000) Fig 28

The Sample was reinforced with

metal plates at the machine grips to
prevent shear failure.

Apparatus:

Rate of Motion 1 mm/min

Young’s Modulus:
Mean Young’s Modulus = 414.5 N/mm2 (MPa)
Tensile Strength:
Mean Tensile Strength = 9.47515 N/mm2 (MPa)
Failure Conditions

The failure condition of the three samples was splintering

tension as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Compression Test Report:
Test Data:

ASTM Designation ASTM D143

Number of Samples: 3 samples
Dimensions: 10 mm X 10 mm X 40 mm

Apparatus:

Rate of Motion 0.5 mm/min

Load Deformation Curve:

Compressive Strength:
Cross Section Area = 100 mm2
Maximum Load = 669.57 N
Mean Compressive Strength = 669.57/10*10 = 6.6957 N/mm2 (MPa)
Failure Conditions

The failure condition of the first and second samples was

brooming and end-rolling as shown in Figure 2.
The failure condition of third sample was crushing as
shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2 Figure
3
Shear Test Report:
Test Data:

ASTM Designation ASTM D143

Number of Samples: 3 samples
Dimensions: According to D143-94 (2000) Fig 28
Same as Tensile Test’s apparatus but
Apparatus:
without the reinforcing metal plates.
Rate of Motion 1 mm/min

Shear Strength:
Maximum Load = 852.22 N
Area Subjected to Shear = 2*30*10 = 600 mm2
Mean Shear Strength = 1.42 N/mm2 (MPa)
Failure Conditions

The failure condition of the three samples was pure shear

as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4

Flexure Test Report:

Test Data:

ASTM Designation ASTM D143

Number of Samples: 3 samples
Dimensions: 10 mm X 10 mm X 200 mm

Apparatus:

Rate of Motion 0.6 mm/min

Load Deformation Curve:

Modulus of Rupture:
R=Mc/I
R=Modulus of Rupture
M=Bending Moment, PL/4 = 3381.27 N.mm
P=Maximum Load, N = 90.1672 N
L=Span Length, mm = 150 mm
c=Distance from neutral axis to the edge of the sample = 0.5 h = 5mm
I=Moment of Inertia = bh³/12 = (833.33 mm^4)
b=Average Width, mm = 10 mm
h=Average Depth, mm = 10 mm
Modulus of Rupture = (3381.27 X 5)/ (833.33) = 20.28 N/mm²
Failure Condition:

The failure condition of the three samples was cross

grain tension as shown in figure 5.

Figure 5