Construction Materials and Testing (CMT 223)

Unit 7 Module: Familiarization with the Parts and Functions/Uses of the Universal Testing Machine

Objectives:

1. Familiarize yourself with the Universal Testing Machine (UTM).

2. Explain the important functions/uses of Universal Testing machine (UTM) in testing materials.

Content:

A. Familiarization and Importance of the Universal Testing Machine (UTM)

A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is used to determine the mechanical properties of a material by a
given specimen and can be used for wide range of tests and can perform over various materials. Such as:
for concrete compressive strength, reinforced concrete for compressive strength and flexural or bending
strength; and for steel tensile strength.

The quality of materials is important in the selection for structural purposes that conforms to the
standard specifications. Testing of materials helps us to determine the quality, properties and suitability
of materials. The following are the different types of testing machine: compressive strength test, flexural
strength test and tensile strength test.

B. Understand the Functions/Uses of the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) in Testing Materials

1. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for Compression

1
2. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for Flexure

2
3. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for Tensile

3
References:

1. Images are Retrieved from https://www.google.com

2. Materials of Construction by DN Ghose, 1989
3. Civil Engineering Materials by Technical Teachers Training Institute, 1992
4. Engineering Materials by Emmanuel F. Nino and Teresita G. Nino, 1983
5. Materials of Construction 4th Edition by Chandigarah, 1990
6. Testing of Engineering Materials by Gildey, Murphy & Bragman, 1982
7. Structural Engineering and Construction 4th Edition Volume 1 by Venancio I. Besavilla Jr., 1999
8. American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)
9. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

4
 Construction Materials and Testing (CMT 223)

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

Tension and Water Content

Objectives:

1. Describe the classifications and properties of wood.

2. Explain the importance of testing wood in terms of bending, compression, shear, tension and water
content.

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.

1
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.

e. Grain. The grain of wood is classified into: straight grain, cross grain, fine grain and coarse grain.

f. 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.

2
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.

b. Strength Properties of Species of Wood at 80% Stress Grade

Species Bending and Modulus of Compression

Compression Shear Parallel
(Common and Tension Elasticity Perpendicular
parallel to the to the Grain
Botanical Parallel to the Bending to the Grain
Grain (MPa) (MPa)
Names) Grain (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
I. High Strength Group
Agoho 26.3 8.22 14.5 5.91 2.95
Liusin 25.0 9.36 15.6 4.31 2.64
Malabayabas 28.7 8.30 15.8 8.70 3.02
Molave 24.0 6.54 15.4 6.34 2.88
Narig 21.8 8.33 13.7 4.97 2.61
Sasalit 31.3 9.72 21.6 10.2 3.38
Yakal 24.5 9.78 15.8 6.27 2.49
II. Moderately High Strength Group
Antipolo 18.6 5.35 10.8 3.90 2.06
Binggas 18.9 6.57 11.4 3.90 2.24
Bokbok 18.1 6.36 11.3 3.41 2.18
Dao 16.2 5.43 9.44 2.27 1.92
Gatasan 20.8 6.84 13.5 3.52 2.36
Guijo 21.8 8.47 13.2 4.26 2.40
Kamagong 20.9 7.20 11.7 4.39 2.47
Kamatog 19.0 7.56 11.2 3.95 2.35
Katmon 18.8 6.82 11.9 4.84 2.29
Kato 18.4 8.04 10.6 3.46 1.96
Lomarau 19.8 7.92 11.8 2.98 2.18
Mahogany 16.5 4.66 10.5 3.83 2.71
Makaasim 20.5 6.72 11.4 3.70 2.40
Malakauayan 18.9 6.66 11.2 2.32 2.14
Narra 18.0 5.94 11.4 3.07 1.91
Pahutan 16.6 6.53 10.0 2.50 2.05
III. Medium Strength Group
Apitong 16.5 7.31 9.56 2.20 1.73
Bagtikan 16.6 6.48 9.89 2.33 1.82
Dangkalan 16.3 6.38 9.20 2.48 1.98
Gisau 14.3 5.33 8.16 1.99 1.90
Lanutan-bagyo 15.0 6.06 8.96 2.02 1.84
Lauan 13.9 5.83 8.18 1.72 1.48
Malaanonang 13.8 5.41 8.54 1.96 1.59
Malasaging 16.8 5.94 9.51 2.92 1.85
Malugai 15.4 6.30 9.33 3.07 2.07
Maiau 15.7 6.50 8.83 2.78 2.06
Nato 16.2 5.56 9.17 2.33 1.98
Palosapis 13.8 5.98 8.38 2.73 1.68

3
 Pine 14.7 6.66 8.29 1.88 1.56
Salakin 15.7 5.67 8.83 2.94 2.39
Vidal Lanutan 19.5 5.83 8.54 2.65 2.39
IV. Moderately Low Strength Group
Almaciga 11.8 5.47 6.27 1.44 1.47
Bayok 12.6 4.75 7.33 1.30 1.20
Lingo-lingo 13.2 4.13 6.85 2.00 1.66
Manggasinoro 12.8 5.36 7.46 1.97 1.44
Raintree 11.9 2.75 7.23 3.32 2.07
Yemane 12.6 4.09 7.87 3.40 1.96

B. Testing of Wood in terms of Bending, Compression, Shear, Tension and Water content

1. Bending or Flexural Testing of Wood

Bending or Flexural Testing Machine

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.

4
2. Compression Testing of Wood

Compression Testing Machine

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

Shearing Testing Machine

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.

5
4. Tensile Testing of Wood

Tensile Testing Machine

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.

5. Water Content Testing of Wood

Two Pins Digital Wood Moisture Meter

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.

6
References:

1. Images are Retrieved from https://www.google.com

2. Materials of Construction by DN Ghose, 1989
3. Civil Engineering Materials by Technical Teachers Training Institute, 1992
4. Engineering Materials by Emmanuel F. Nino and Teresita G. Nino, 1983
5. Materials of Construction 4th Edition by Chandigarah, 1990
6. Testing of Engineering Materials by Gildey, Murphy & Bragman, 1982
7. Structural Engineering and Construction 4th Edition Volume 1 by Venancio I. Besavilla Jr., 1999
8. American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)
9. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)