CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS AND
TESTING
TESTING OF WOOD
C O N S T R U C T I O N M AT E R I A L S
AND TESTING
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WOOD
ü Wood is the second most used
material for construction purposes,
making of furniture, flooring, etc. For
building constructions, though the
stone has taken first place, the boom
of wood has increased dramatically
in recent times.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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COMPOSITION OF WOOD
Wood is a natural resource that can be
obtained by plants and trees. Basically wood
is a combination of different tissues like the
xylem, which is a vascular tissue, phloem,
and cell walls. The vascular cambium layer
which is present inside the bark helps to
produce new wood.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
The properties of wood explain its
behaviour, and how it reacts to different
substances at different temperatures.
These properties explain the
characteristics of wood with a generalized
meaning. The properties of wood may
include physical properties, chemical
properties, mechanical properties. The
physical properties of wood can be defined
as the characteristics of a wood that do not
have any change in its size, shape, colour,
etc.
Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng
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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

The characteristics of wood that explain the physical features of various

types of wood are nothing but the physical properties of wood.

a. Color - As the basic use of wood is to make furniture and decor items
for the house, color and appearance play a vital role in choosing a variety
of wood. But the color of the wood varies from type to type. The wood is
available in a wide range of colors starting from white to dark brown etc.
The color of the wood also changes with the observation. If a tree can be
observed from top to bottom, it appears in some color and vice versa.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

b. Lustre - Another physical property of wood is its lustre. Luster refers to

the tendency of elements with the reflection of light. After colour, priority
is given to the lustre of the wood.

c. Odour and Taste - We commonly observe different odours from different

types of wood. For example, the sandalwood and the rosewood give a nice
aroma whereas the other timber woods may give some tobacco odour.
Also, the new wood sample gives a fresh aroma and it keeps on degrading
with time.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

d. The density of Wood - Another characteristic of wood is its density. But what is the
density of wood? The density of wood refers to its mass per unit volume. Based on the
weight of the wood sample, the density of wood changes. Different types of wood have
different densities. Below detailed information about the density of different types of wood
is given.

ü If the density or specific gravity is 36 then the wood is called very light.

ü When density or specific gravity is = 0.36 then the wood is called light.

ü If the density or specific gravity is 0.36 – 0.05, then wood is considered

moderately heavy.

ü When density or specific gravity is > 0.05, then the wood is heavy.
Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng
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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

e. Hardness - Hardness refers to the strength of the wood also the

resistance or the capacity of wood which can stand strong for a long time
after being affected by several factors

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The mechanical properties of wood can be explained as the capability of wood to

withstand externally applied forces. These include different types of properties to
understand the strength, resistivity, elasticity, durability, etc. many more characteristics of
wood. The mechanical properties of wood were further classified into two. One is strength
properties, and the other is elasticity properties. There are different standards available to
check the strength of wood. They are –

ISO (International standard institution ASTM (American Standard for Testing of Materials)

ISI (Indian standard Institution)

BSI (British Standard Institution)

PSI (Pakistan Standard Institution

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
a. Compression - The compression of wood depends
on the directions of applied forces, like :

qperpendicular to wood grain

qparallel to wood grain, and

qan angle to the wood grain.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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PROPERTIES OF WOOD
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
b. Tension - The tension is very effective on wood
when it is parallel to the wood's grain.

c. Bending - Based on the load put on the wood,

bending may occur. It shows the strength and stability
of wood even if the load is increased in a parallel
direction.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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PROPERTIES OF WOOD

Wood is one of the most important materials used for

several household and commercial purposes. Different
types of physical properties and mechanical properties
of wood explain the characteristics of a particular type
of wood. All these properties were generalized to all
types of wood.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD

ASTM wood standards include the terminology, standard
practices, specifications, and testing methods for wood and wood
products. Guidelines address issues in all stages of the wood
making process, including harvesting lumber from forests,
protecting lumber and timber from termites and fungus, testing
fire retardant wood, and testing the water solubility of wood
products. Primary purposes for these guidelines are the creation
of construction materials and wooden poles, such as electricity
poles. Manufacturer adherence to wood testing guidelines can
ensure worker safety and quality products.
Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng
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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD

ASTM testing of wood are characterized by the following:
1. Fire Performance of Wood
2. Forests
3. Fundamental Test Methods and Properties
4. Lumber and Engineered Wood Products
5. Panel Products
6. Pole and Pile Products
7. Treatments for Wood Products
8. Wood Assemblies

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD:
FUNDAMENTAL TEST METHODS AND PROPERTIES

ASTM D143-21
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

ASTM D198-21a
Standard Test Methods of Static Tests of Lumber in Structural Sizes

ASTM D1102-84(2021)
Standard Test Method for Ash in Wood

ASTM D1105-21
Standard Test Method for Preparation of Extractive-Free Wood

ASTM D1106-21
Standard Test Method for Acid-Insoluble Lignin in Wood,

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD:
FUNDAMENTAL TEST METHODS AND PROPERTIES
ASTM D1107-21
Standard Test Method for Ethanol-Toluene Solubility of Wood,

ASTM D1108-21
Standard Test Method for Dichloromethane Solubles in Wood,

ASTM D1109-21
Standard Test Method for 1 % Sodium Hydroxide Solubility of Wood

ASTM D1110-21
Standard Test Methods for Water Solubility of Wood

ASTM D1166-21
Standard Test Method for Methoxyl Groups in Wood and Related Materials

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD:
FUNDAMENTAL TEST METHODS AND PROPERTIES
ASTM D1666-17
Standard Test Methods for Conducting Machining Tests of Wood and Wood-Base Panel Materials

ASTM D1762-84(2021)
Standard Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Wood Charcoal

ASTM D2394-17
Standard Test Methods for Simulated Service Testing of Wood and Wood-Based Finish Flooring

ASTM D2395-17
Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and Wood-
Based Materials

ASTM D2555-17a
Standard Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Values

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD:
FUNDAMENTAL TEST METHODS AND PROPERTIES
ASTM D4442-20
Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based
Materials

ASTM D4444-13(2018)
Standard Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture
Meters

ASTM D4761-19
Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Properties of Lumber and Wood-Based Structural Materials

ASTM D4933-16(2021)
Standard Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and Wood-Based Materials

ASTM D6782-19
Standard Test Methods for Standardization and Calibration of In-Line Dry Lumber Moisture Meters

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD:
FUNDAMENTAL TEST METHODS AND PROPERTIES
ASTM D6815-09(2015)
Standard Specification for Evaluation of Duration of Load and Creep Effects of Wood and Wood-
Based Products

ASTM D6874-21
Standard Test Methods for Nondestructive Evaluation of the Stiffness of Wood and Wood-Based
Materials Using Transverse Vibration or Stress Wave Propagation

ASTM D6958-20
Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Side-Bonding Potential of Wood Coatings

ASTM D7438-20
Standard Practice for Field Calibration and Application of Hand-Held Moisture Meters

ASTM D7469-21
Standard Test Methods for End Joints in Structural Wood Products

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD

ASTM D143-21
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

ASTM D143 contains the standard test methods for testing

small clear timber specimens. The data from ASTM D143 test
methods can be used to compare the mechanical properties of
various species, establish allowable stresses, and determine
the influence of density, locality of growth, height, and
treatment of chemicals on the mechanical properties.

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

 ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD
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ASTM D143-21
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

This standard contains test methods for determining the various strength and
elastic properties of wood through 11 different mechanical tests:

• static bending
• impact bending
• compression parallel to grain
• compression perpendicular to grain
• toughness
• hardness
• shear parallel to grain
• cleavage
• tension parallel to grain
• tension perpendicular to grain
• nail withdrawal

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

 ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD
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ASTM D143-21
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

Recommend Test Machines

• Universal Testing Machine

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

 ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD
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ASTM D143-21
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

Recommend Test Accessories

• Wood Tensile Fixture Perpendicular to grain

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

 ASTM STANDARD FOR TESTING OF WOOD
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ASTM D143-21
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

Recommend Test Accessories

• Shear Test Fixture - Adhesive Bond Wood

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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REFERENCE:

https://www.vedantu.com/physics/properties-of-wood

https://webstore.ansi.org/industry/astm/wood-standards

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng

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WATCH THIS!

ASTM D1037 Static Bending Modulus of Rupture MOR Testing Wood Base
Fiber Particle Panel Material
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeIHXDVVTQg

The Janka Wood Flooring Hardness Test ASTM D1037 with Frank Bacon
Machinery Sales Co. 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehQj_WtVQ_U

Prepared by: Dr. KVS Caingles and Engr. RC Galdo, M.Eng