Analysis Of Off-Axis Tension Test Of Wood Specimens

Authors

  • Jen Y. Liu

Keywords:

Off-axis tension test, orthotropic elasticity, shear strength, tensile strength, Tsai-Hill failure theory

Abstract

This paper presents a stress analysis of the off-axis tension test of clear wood specimens based on orthotropic elasticity theory. The effects of Poisson's ratio and shear coupling coefficient on stress distribution are analyzed in detail. The analysis also provides a theoretical foundation for the selection of a 10° grain angle in wood specimens for the characterization of shear properties. The Tsai-Hill failure theory is then applied to derive a formula for predicting shear strength. Existing strength data for Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) were used in a numerical analysis. Because of the large discrepancies in published test data from different sources, the accuracy of the formula is limited to the data used to derive it. However, the procedures are believed to be accurate. The off-axis tension test is attractive mainly because of its economy and ease of application. This research promises to pave the way for the adoption of the off-axis tension test for characterizing the shear properties of clear wood by the practicing engineer once representative input data become available.

References

Chamis, C. C., And J. H. Sinclair. 1997. Ten degree off-axis test for shear properties in fiber composites. Exp. Mech. 17(9):339-346.nDaniel, I. M., And O. Ishai. 1994. Engineering mechanics of composite materials. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, UK. 395 pp.nForest Products Laboratory (FPI). 1999. Wood handbook. Wood as an engineering material. Gen Tech Rep. FPL-GRT-113. USDA, Forest Serv., Forest Products Lab., Madison, WI. 463 pp.nJones, R. M. 1975. Mechanics of composite materials. Scripta Book Co., Washington, DC. 344 pp.nLiu, J. Y., And L. H. Floeter. 1984. Shear strength in principal plane of wood. J. Eng. Mech. 110(6):930-936.nLiu, J. Y., And R. J. Ross. 1998. Wood property variation with grain slope. Pages 1351-1354 in Proc. 12th Engineering Mechanics Conf., American Society of Civil Engineers, La Jolla, CA.nPagano, N. J., And J. C. Halpin. 1968. Influence of end constraint in the testing of anisotropic bodies. J. Comp. Mat. 2(1): 18-31.nPerkins, Jr., R. W. 1972. On the mechanical response of materials with cellular and finely layered internal structures. In B. A. Jayne, ed. Theory and design of wood and fiber composite materials. Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY.nPierron, F., And A. Vautrin. 1996. The 10° off-axis tensile test: A critical approach. Comp. Sci. Technol. 56(4): 483-488.nPierron, F., E. Alloba, Y. Surrel, And A. Vautrin. 1998. Whole-field assessment of the effects of boundary conditions on the strain field in off-axis tensile testing of unidirectional composites. Comp. Sci. Technol. 58(12): 1939-1947.nPindera, M.-J., And C. T. Herakovich. 1986. Shear characterization of unidirectional composites with the off-axis tension test. Exp. Mech. 26(1):103-112.nRichards, G. L., T. P. Airhart, And J. E. Ashton. 1969. Off-axis tensile testing. J. Comp. Mat. 3:586-589.nRizzo, R. R. 1969. More on the influence of end constraints on oo-axis tensile tests. J. Comp. Mat. 3:202-219.nSun, C. T., And I. Chung. 1993. An oblique end-tab design for testing off-axis composite specimens. Composites 24(8):619-623.nWu, E. M., And R. L. Thomas. 1968. Off-axis test of a composite. J. Comp. Mat. 2(4): 523-526.nYoshihara, H. And M. Ohta. 2000. Estimation of the shear strength of wood by uniaxial-tension tests of off-axis specimens. J. Wood Sci. 46(2): 159-163.n

Downloads

Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Section

Research Contributions