Testing Small Wood Specimens In Transverse Compression

Authors

  • M. P. Wolcott
  • B. Kasal
  • F. A. Kamke
  • D. A. Dillard

Keywords:

Transverse compression, compression testing, surface effects, composites

Abstract

The standard test method recommended in ASTM Standard D143 for compression perpendicular to the grain does not measure pure compression. The results of small wood specimens tested in compression perpendicular to the grain may be influenced by macroscopic characteristics of the specimen or the test procedure. Pure compression tests were performed on wood and poly(methyl methacrylate) specimens measuring 0.12 to 1.56 inch in height. Young's modulus in transverse compression increased with specimen height. Yield stress was not affected by specimen height. However, an increase of specimen height resulted in a decrease of yield strain. These observations may be explained by surface roughness or non-parallelism of the specimen. The results are not unique to wood.

References

Bodig, J. 1963. The peculiarity of compression of conifers in radial direction. For. Prod. J. 13(10):438.nBodig, J. 1965. The effect of anatomy on the initial stress-strain relationship in transverse compression. For. Prod. J. 15(5): 197-202.nBodig, J. 1966. Stress-strain relationship for wood in transverse compression. J. Materials. 1(3):645-666.nDillard, D. A., Y. H. Lai, J. S. Thornton. 1988. The effect of compressibility on the stress distribution in thin elastomeric blocks and annular bushings. J. App. Mech. In Review.nKennedy, R. W. 1968. Wood in transverse compression: Influence of some anatomical variables and density on behavior. For. Prod. J. 18(3):36-40.nKunesh, R. H. 1968. Strength and elastic properties of wood in transverse compression. For. Prod. J. 18(1):65-72.nMenges, G., and F. Knipschild. 1982. Stiffness and strength: Rigid plastic foams. Pages 27-72 in N. C. Hilyard, ed. Mechanics of cellular plastics. MacMillan Publishing Co., New York, NY.nSeely, F. B., and J. O. Smith. 1952. Advanced mechanics of materials. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY.nThornton, J. S., R. E. Montgomery, C. N. Thompson, and D. A. Dillard. 1988. Analysis of interfacial stresses for elastomeric disks in compression. Poly. Eng. Sci. 28(10):655-659.n

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Published

2007-06-22

Issue

Number 3 / July 1989

Section

Research Contributions

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