Determination of wood strength properties through standard test procedures

In this study a review of existing recognised standards for wood mechanical testing was conducted. This review considers tensile, compressive, bending and shear test methodologies from a range of sources. In addition, values for wood mechanical properties were obtained through controlled experimentation using a universal material testing machine. Selected standard procedures were used to obtain wood strength properties both along and across the grain. These consist of a three point bending procedure used to evaluate the wood strength across the grain and a longitudinal shear procedure used to evaluate the wood strength along the grain. Strength properties obtained through controlled experimentation are compared to values available in existing literature with little discrepancy.