I the characteristic design strength values of timber is studied, Table NI - Characteristic stresses for South Afiican Pine (Reproduced as Table 1) itis evident that the compressive strength of SA Pine is higher than either the bending or the tensile strength and that the tensile strength is considerably lower than the bending strength: tis is as a result of the anisotropic nature ofthe timber. Table 1: Characteristic stresses for South African Pine Values in MPa Grade | Bending | Tension Tension Compression | Compression ‘Shear ‘Modulus pallelto | pependice~ | pail to | perendiular | panilelto | of grain | lar to grain grain to grain, grin | elasticity th fo Lb=0 E z fe fo fe us | 67 | 036 18.0 a7 1.6 | 7800 7 | ass | 100 | ost 28 67 20 | 9600 vo | 233 | 133 | 073 262 on 29 _| 12000 [4 [ia | 108 353 129 40 | 16000 ~ These stresses apply to visually, mechanically or proof graded timber. 2. Factors that cause loss of strength in timber 24 Sloping grain Tensile forces on a member will have a component of the force in the direction and a component perpendicular to the grain when sloping grain is present. The perpendicular to grain tensile stresses will initiate fairs (See Figure 2 a). 2.2 Sloping grain around a knot Tensile forces will have a component that causes tensile stress perpendicular to the grain and this will initiate failure in the member (See Figure 2 b). T O—_ Figure 2: Sloping grain failure