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Title: Wood Handbook, Chapter 05: Mechanical Properties of Wood

Source: General Technical Report FPL-GTR-190. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory: 5-1 - 5-46. Chapter 5.

Author(s): Kretschmann, David E.

Publication Year: 2010  View PDF » Mail this web page's link »

Publication Series: General Technical Reports
Associated Research Project(s):   FPL-4714-MA

Abstract: The mechanical properties presented in this chapter were obtained from tests of pieces of wood termed 'clear' and 'straight grained' because they did not contain characteristics such as knots, cross grain, checks, and splits. These test pieces did have anatomical characteristics such as growth rings that occurred in consistent patterns within each piece. Clear wood specimens are usually considered 'homogeneous' in wood mechanics.
Many of the mechanical properties of wood tabulated in this chapter were derived from extensive sampling and analysis procedures. These properties are represented as the average mechanical properties of the species. Some properties, such as tension parallel to the grain, and all properties for some imported species are based on a more limited number of specimens that were not subjected to the same sampling and analysis procedures. The appropriateness of these latter properties to represent the average properties of a species is uncertain; nevertheless, the properties represent the best information available.

Keywords: Mechanical properties, elasticity, modulus of elasticity, vibration, wood moisture, specific gravity, shear, hardness, softwoods, hardwoods, tree-rings, juvenile wood, temperature, wood defects, strength, fatigue, creep, wood properties, wood strength, orthotropic materials, vibration tests, bending strength, compressive strength, tensile strength, shear strength, physical properties, knots, reaction wood, failure

Publication Review Process: Informally Refereed (Peer-Reviewed)

Date posted: 06/21/2010

This publication is also viewable on Treesearch:  view
RITS Product ID: 36163
Current FPL Scientist associated with this publication
Kretschmann, David E.
Research General Engineer
  

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