CE 14 PRE-LABORATORY REPORT

EXPERIMENT 1
TENSION TEST ON WOOD SPECIMEN (COCO LUMBER,
MAHOGANY AND GEMELINA SPECIES)

MEMBERS of GROUP 5
ABASOLA, GLENN NEHEMIAH I.
ARAGASI, NOR-OMAIYAH N.
BALATERO, TRISHA LYNN S.
CO, ELA MAE D.
TAGALONGAN, BRETT ARMAN P.

CE 14 B1
MARCH 31, 2024
 INTRODUCTION
Wood has its own functions in construction. As we all know based from our previous
classes, which are classified into two types, hardwood and softwood. These two have
their own uses and reasons that they are separated into two types. The former is used
for its function and the latter is used for its appearance. In this experiment we are about
to find the strength of the given wood samples and if it would go through the standards
of our ASTM reference.

OBJECTIVE
In our experiment, we are to find and compare the tensile strengths of the given wood
samples from these wood specimens: Coco Lumber, Mahogany, and Gmelina. To
evaluate and see if the wood samples are corresponding with the specifications if they
are within standard which is a necessity for this experiment.

REFERENCE
Specifically ASTM D198 − 22a (Standard Test Methods of Static Tests of Lumber in
Structural Sizes) for the procedures of a Tension Test

MATERIALS
These are the materials needed in order to fulfill the experiment:
● Mahogany
● Coco lumber
● Gmelina

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
These are the equipment needed to execute the experiment:
● Saw
● Vernier caliper
● Measuring tape
● Triple beam balance/ weighing scale
● Universal Tensile Testing Machine

which includes:
● Drive mechanism
● Load indicator
● Grip
● Grip alignment
● Extensometer
● Gauge length
● Contact pressure
 ● Contact surface
● Accuracy

PROCEDURE
Here are the procedures needed to be done for this experiment:
1. Make sure the specimen is of constant weight to assure equilibrium condition in
its moisture content.
2. Measure and record the dimensions of the wood samples, the weight and
dimensions (length and cross-section) of the specimen shall be measured before
the test to three significant figures. Make sure that the wood samples are equal
to or greater than 1 in. thickness (nominal thickness) each, since this is the size
used for “tensile” structural applications.
3. Place the specimen carefully on the grips of the machine where the longer parts
of the wood sample would concur with them. Tighten and clamp them securely so
that slipping and tensile failure outside the jaw contact area would be avoided.
4. Constant rate of tensile loading must be applied in order to test the specimen for
at least 4 mins.
5. Data for load-elongation will be determined by an extensometer. Take note of the
loads at cracking, first failure, and maximum load. This is to determine the wood’s
behavior.
6. Then, record maximum load when it is reached. Analyze the area of the wood
where failure occurs.
7. Lastly, determine the moisture content of the specimen after the test.
8. Repeat steps on other wood specimens.

FORMULAS
Calculate the following formulas:
● Stress at Proportional Limit
𝑃'
σ'𝑡 = 𝐴
Whereas,
σ'𝑡 = Tension Stress at the Proportion Limit (𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑀𝑃𝑎)
𝑃' = Applied Load at Proportional Limit (𝑙𝑏𝑓, 𝑁)
2 2
𝐴 = Cross Sectional Area (𝑖𝑛 , 𝑚𝑚 )

● Tensile Strength
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
σ𝑡 = 𝐴
Whereas,
 σ𝑡 = Tension Strength (𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑀𝑃𝑎)
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Maximum Load Borne by Specimen Loaded to Failure (𝑙𝑏𝑓, 𝑁)

● Modulus of Elasticity
𝑃'
𝐸𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 = 𝐴ε

Whereas,
𝐸𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 = Axial Modulus of Elasticity (𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑀𝑃𝑎)

● Strain at Proportional Limit

∆𝐿
ε= 𝐿
Whereas,
ε = Strain at Proportional Limit (𝑖𝑛/𝑖𝑛, 𝑚𝑚/𝑚𝑚)

SOLUTION/APPLICATION OF FORMULA
These will all assist in achieving the experiment's goal, which is to determine how strong
the wood is and how far it can be stretched before breaking. The wood specimen's
elongation and the force applied to it are measured. To find the stress and strain on the
wood, these measurements and the area will be worked on. The modulus of elasticity,
which is a measure of the relationship of the stress and strain used to look for the
material deformation response under such loads or forces, such as how much the wood
extends under tension, is greater than the tensile strength, which is the maximum stress
that a material can handle before breaking, while being stretched or pulled.

DATA PRESENTATION
TABLE 1
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Weight

Length (mm)

Width (mm)

Height (mm)

Change of Length
(△L)

Applied Load at
Proportional Limit (N)
 Maximum Load (N)

TABLE 2
Area (mm^2)

Elongation (m)

Maximum Load (N)

Specific Gravity

Tensile Strength (σ)

Stress at Proportional
Limit
(σ)

Moisture Content (%)

Modulus of Elasticity

INSIGHTS AND COMMENTS

The wood that are used in most of our construction projects are chosen carefully
to use its maximum potential in these situations. By conducting this experiment we can
immediately determine the needed strength and to analyze the results for which is
better in such conditions for our future references. It is unfortunate that we are only
given 3 wood samples for this experiment, however when we try to look at our location
these are the wood lumber that are mostly used in the Philippine setting (Americans
mostly use wood, unlike us).