Construction Materials and Testing

Unit 8: Testing of Wood Samples for Bending, Compression,

Shear, Tension and Water Content

Outline:
1. Classifications and Properties of Species of Wood
2. Testing of Wood in terms of Bending, Compression, Shear, Tension and
Water content
Objectives:
1. You will be able to describe the classifications and properties of wood.
2. You will be able to explain the importance of testing wood in terms of
bending, compression, shear, tension and water content.
A. Classifications and Properties of Species of Wood

1. Description of Wood or Timber

Timber is the woody materials of trees that are suitable for house
construction, bridge and ship building, furniture and cabinet making, carving
and engraving for most structures used in agriculture, commerce and
industries. We refer to trees in the forest as standing timber, or to round or
square logs as round and square timber.

Unlike many building materials, wood is not a processed material but

organic material generally used in its natural state. Wood is that fibrous
substance which composes the pith and the bark. More specifically, wood is
defined as the lignified water conducting, strengthening and storage tissues of
branches, stem and roots of trees. Technically, wood is known as “xylem”.
 Wood is the most common building materials because of the following
properties: a strong material, has durability, light in weight, ease of fastening;
and with artistic and natural beauty.
2. Classification of Wood

The wood that are classified as good lumber used in building

construction are those that grows larger by the addition of new layer on the
outer surface each year identified by botanists as “oxygen’s”

Some trees grow rapidly depending upon the climate, soil, moisture and
food elements. Some grow up to 1/8” to ½” in diameter per year or more.
Whereas, some grow at the rate of only ¼” to ½” in 10 to 15 years or more.
a. Mode of Growth: exogenous are those growing trees which are the most
preferred for lumbering and endogenous are the insides growing trees.
This kind of tree is less preferred for lumbering because of the center core
of its log which is soft and brittle in character.

b. Density. Refers to the quality of the mass and volume of the wood such
as: softwood known also as conifers or evergreen and hardwood which
are generally deciduous and has broad leaves.

c. Leaves. The characteristics of the tree when it comes to its leaves are:
needle shaped and broad shaped.
d. Shades or Color of wood. The shades or color of the wood varies from
either of the following: white, yellow, orange, red, brown and black,
etc.

f. Grain. The grain of wood is classified into: straight grain, cross grain,
fine grain and coarse grain.
g. Nature of the surface when sewed: plain, grained and figured or
marked.
3. Properties of Wood

a. Physical Properties of Wood

Strength is the general term used in reference to the ability of wood to
resist stresses and strain. Different wood varies materially in the following
manner:
 Wood is resistant to compression along the fibers.
 Stiffness or the ability to resist bending as in floor joists and beams
supporting heavy load.
 Strength in tension or the ability to resist in lengthwise stresses.
 Shearing strength or the ability of the fibers to resist rupture along or
across the grain.
Moisture is an important factor in the strength of wood. Thus, to a certain
extent, strength increases with the degree of seasoning of wood.
Note: Knots or other defects in wood also influence strength. The size,
character and location of the knots are of importance. Example; in cross
bending strength, knots on the upper surface of the beam do not detract
from the strength as much as on the lower part of the beam.
Weight of wood is also important consideration. Heavy woods are
generally strong, light wood are usually weak.
Hardness is expressed as resistance to indentation or to the saw or axe
across the grain. Hardness is dependent largely on weight, structural
elements of the wood and degree of seasoning. This feature is important in
several methods of utilization such as flooring, furniture, cross ties,
handles and many small wood articles.
Cleavability is the resistance of wood to cleavage along the grains. The line
of least resistance in cleavage is along the radius because the wood rays
are in this direction.
Note: Wood splits much more easily when wet because moisture softens
the fibers and reduces adhesion across the grain. Straightens in the grain
however, determine the ease with which wood splits.
Flexibility and toughness, moisture content of wood influences flexibility
to a considerable degree.
Toughness refers to combined strength, shock resistance and pliability of
wood.
Durability as applied to wood means the ability to resist decay or simply
the length of its life under a given condition. Durability may also include
the resistance of wood to the influence of mechanical wear.
Note: Strength Properties of Species of Wood at 80% Stress Grade (Refer to
the Module)
B. Testing of Wood in terms of Bending, Compression, Shear, Tension and Water
content

a. Bending or Flexural Testing of Wood

Bending test is performed to determine the elastic

modulus of bending or flexural stress of timber or
wood. A length of timber or wood is placed across
a span and applying load perpendicular to the
grain of the specimen to bend until failure.

Bending or Flexural Testing

Machine
2. Compression Testing of Wood

The determination of the measurement

of the compressive strength of wood is
by loading a block of wood parallel to
the grain until it fails
3. Shear Testing of Wood

The shearing strength of the wood is

dependent of the load applied on the grains
or fibers direction and the breaking is on the
radial plane or tangential. Shearing strength
is measured 10 to 15 % of its tensile strength
along the grain and directly proportional to
its density.

Shearing Testing Machine

4. Tensile Testing of Wood

Tensile strength tests of wood are conducted

parallel and perpendicular to the grain or
fiber and it is defined as the ratio of the
ultimate strength from a stress test to the
cross-sectional area of the specimen. The test
is performed parallel to the direction of the
gage section and the also the tensile strength
is directly proportional to the density of the
wood.

Tensile Testing Machine

5. Water Content Testing of Wood

The moisture content of wood varies from 8%

to 25% by weight and it is defined as the ratio
weight of moisture or water in a piece of
wood to the oven dried weight of wood.
Wood is hygroscopic material and its moisture
content is dependent on the relative humidity
of the air and causes the wood to expand and
shrink.
Two Pins Digital Wood
Moisture Meter
References:
1. Images are Retrieved from https://www.google.com
2. Instructional Materials in Construction Materials and Testing by Miriam B. Villanueva
and Carl Jason A. Coronel, 2024
3. Materials of Construction by DN Ghose, 1989
4. Civil Engineering Materials by Technical Teachers Training Institute, 1992
5. Engineering Materials by Emmanuel F. Nino and Teresita G. Nino, 1983
6. Materials of Construction 4th Edition by Chandigarah, 1990
7. Testing of Engineering Materials by Gildey, Murphy & Bragman, 1982
8. Structural Engineering and Construction 4th Edition Volume 1 by Venancio I. Besavilla
Jr., 1999
9. American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)
10.American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)