25th Feb, 2021

TECHNICAL REPORT
OPEN ENDED LAB

Mechanics of Solids-1
Suitability of
pg. 1
Wood
 FAST NUCES

TECHNICAL REPORT

BY:

Sharjeel Gill (18L-0713)

Muhammad Adil (19L-0756)

Hashir Naeem (19L-0705)

A report submitted on determining whether the wood supplied by the local supplier can be
used for the project? And whether it is according to standards?

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF COMPUTER AND EMERGING SCIENCES

SUBMISSION DATE: 25th Feb, 2021

pg. 2
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Title Page
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………….2
2. Abstract
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
….…………………4
3. Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………………
…………………………….4
4. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………
………….…………………5
5. Objective………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………..5
6. Materials……………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………6
7. Theory……………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………7
7.1. Compressive
Test…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………..7
7.2. Flexural
Test…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………....8
8. Procedure…………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………..10
8.1. Compressive
Test…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………10
8.2. Flexural
Test…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………..11
9. Observations & Calculation………………………………………………………………….
……………………….12
9.1. Flexural
Test…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………..12
9.2. Compression
Test…………………………………………………………………………………………
………..13

pg. 3
 10. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………
……..……………………..14

pg. 4
 ABSTRACT
During this experiment, a compression test is done on wood sample. The compression test for the
wood is used to find flexural strength and axial strength of the wood, from which we were able to
calculate the mechanical properties for the wood and compare it with the standards in case of
strength parallel to grains. Furthermore, we did the test on wood perpendicular to grains. The
purpose of doing this is to check the strength of wood both perpendicular to grains as well as
parallel to grains. From the results, we were able to conclude how the direction of force can affect
the wood mechanical properties. Finally, the fracture of the five trials is examined and a conclusion
is written about it.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our group would like to express our deepest appreciation to our professor sir Ahmad Raza, who has
such a humble attitude towards students. He continuously and convincingly conveyed a spirit of
curiosity about this research. He introduced us to the open-ended lab where we can learn to write
technical report, learn the use of Universal Testing Machine, and get to know about the comparison
of wood and with the standard wood (wood used for construction). We also took advantage of one
of the biggest invention of the world, which has made this world a global village i.e. the internet,
where we found the standard readings for compressive strength of wood and learned the proper way
to write technical report.

pg. 5
 INTRODUCTION

Contractor wins a Wooden House Project to construct a 2-story house with Keil-Wood.
Requirements of Keil Wood should be 75KN axial strength and 2500KN flexural strength. A local
supplier is supplying Keil Wood for the project at cheap rates (as compared to rest of the market)
but the supplier is reluctant to provide compression strength report. He is only providing us samples,
50”x75” beam & 75”x75” column to check its suitability.

OBJECTIVE

 To determine the compressive strength of Keil wood sample (50”x75” beam & 75”x75”
column).

 To determine whether the Keil wood provided by the supplier at a cheaper rate will meet the
standard Keil wood requirements (75KN strength for axial member and 2500Nm strength for
flexural member).

 To determine whether the provided Keil wood will be suitable for double story house.

pg. 6
 KEIL WOOD

Sample (75 x 50) Universal Testing Machine

(UTM)

pg. 7
 THEORY

This test is performed

to determine the strength
of a material under
compression. Generally,
the compression test is
carried out to know
either simple compression
characteristics of material
or column action of

pg. 8
structural members. It
has been observed that
for varying heights of
members, keeping the
cross sectional and the
load applied constant,
there is an increased
tendency towards bending
of a member. Members
under compression usually
bend along the minor axis,
i.e, along least

pg. 9
lateral dimension.
Below are the used
formulas for calculating
the
required values
COMPRESSION TEST:
A compression test is a method for determining the behavior of materials under a compressive load.
Compression tests are conducted by loading the test specimen between two plates, and then
applying a force to the specimen by moving the crossheads together. The compression test is used to
determine elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, yield strength, and (for some materials)
compressive strength, which is the maximum compressive strength a material can withstand.
Generally, the compression test is carried out to know either simple compression characteristics of
material or column action of structural members. It has been observed that for varying heights of
members, keeping the cross sectional and the load applied constant, there is an increased tendency
towards bending of a member. Members under compression usually bend along the minor axis, i.e.,
along least lateral dimension.

WOOD COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH:

By definition, the ultimate compressive strength of a material is that value of uniaxial compressive
stress reached when the material fractures. A load deformation curve is plotted by the instrument
and Stress-strain for that would look similar to the following:

pg. 10
The compressive strength of the material is corresponding value at the red point shown on the curve.
In a compression test, there is a linear region where the material follows Hooke’s Law. Hence for
this region

σ = Eε

Where this time E refers to the Young’s Modulus for compression.

In this region, the material deforms elastically and returns to its original length when the stress is
removed. This linear region terminates at what is known as the yield point. Above this point, the
material behaves plastically and will not return to its original length once the load is removed. On
compression, the specimen will shorten. The material will tend to spread in the lateral direction and
hence increase the cross sectional area. In a compression test, the specimen is clamped at the edges.
For this reason, a frictional force arises which will oppose the lateral spread. This means that work
has to be done to oppose this frictional force hence increasing the energy consumed during the
process.

There is a difference between the engineering stress and the true stress. By its basic definition, the
uniaxial stress is given by:

σ=F A
where: F = Load applied [N]

A = Area [m2]

As stated, the area of the specimen varies on compression. In reality therefore the area is some
function of the applied load i.e. A = f (F). Indeed, stress is defined as the force divided by the area at
the start of the experiment. This is known as the engineering stress and is defined by,

σe= F Ao

However, the force required to compress varies when it is applied in parallel from perpendicular to
the fibers. Because when force applied in perpendicular to fibers, the deformation is high, as one of
pg. 11
the fibers fracture has to deform but in the case of parallel application of the force even if one of the
fibers breaks it does not deform easily as in the case of perpendicular application.

FLEXURAL TEST:

Flexural testing measures the force required to bend a beam of plastic material and determines the
resistance to flexing or stiffness of a material. Flex modulus is indicative of how much the material
can flex before permanent deformation. In an example of support beams the flex testing indicates
how much load the beams can bear before flexing and thus a rigid or stiffer material is more
adequate for such application.

Flexural testing could be performed using Universal Testing Machine. The grips are replaced with
fixtures as shown in Fig.

Two-point and three-point bending fixtures are commonly used. The machine is operated in
compression mode either for a fixed strain limit or to complete failure of the beam. ASTM D790
and ISO 178 procedures specify standard testing method to determine flexural modulus.

For a rectangular sample under a load in a three-point bending setup :

Stress =3FL/2BD2

 F is the load (force) at the fracture point (N)

 L is the length of the support span

 b is width

 d is thickness

For a rectangular sample under a load in a four-point bending setup where the loading span is one-
third of the support span:

Stress = FL/BD2
pg. 12
  F is the load (force) at the fracture point

 L is the length of the support (outer) span

 b is width

 d is thickness

For the 4 pt bend setup, if the loading span is 1/2 of the support span:

Stress = 3FL/4BD2

If the loading span is neither 1/3 nor 1/2 the support span for the 4 pt bend setup:

Stress = 3F(L-Li)/2BD2

PROCEDURE

Compressive Strength:
 Firstly, the dimensions of the specimen was measured.
 Then the specimen was placed on the anvil.
 Universal Testing Machine was then started and the loading was given by the means of
hydraulic pressure gradually.
 Simultaneously, the readings of load and displacement was noted.
 When the fracture point was reached, the dimensions of the specimen were taken.
 Force was applied perpendicular to the fibers as shown in the figure:

 Force was applied parallel to the fibers as shown in the figure:

pg. 13
  The force was applied until the wooden block fractures.

Flexural Test:

 Firstly, the dimensions of the specimen was measured.

 Beam is placed on two cylindrical supports and some distance from its ends.
 Three deflection gauges are placed, two under the applied loads and third under the center of
beam.
 Load is applied at a distance “a” from the ends of the beam.
 Note the readings of three deflection gauges as load is increased by a small interval.
 After this, calculations are carried out to find the Modulus of Rupture/ Flexural Strength.

pg. 14
 OBSERVATION & CALCULATION

FLEXURAL TEST:

Data provided:

B = 50” = 1.27m
D = 75’’ = 1.905m
Assumed Length = 100” = 2.54m

Calculation:

Yielding Stress = Load at yield / Deflection = 5 / 2.52 = 1.984 MPa

Flexural Strength = 3FL/BD2 = 3 (5395.5 x 103)(2.54)/(1.27)(1.905)2 = 8920577.841 Pa = 8.92
MPa

Sr. # Load Deflection Gauge Reading Deflection

N Gc mm
1 0 100 0
2 490.5 152 0.38
3 981 173 0.4325
4 1471.5 229 0.5725
5 1962 266 0.665
6 2452.5 308 0.77
7 2943 342 0.855
8 3433.5 391 0.9775
9 3924 426 1.065
10 4414.5 466 1.165
11 4905 508 1.27
12 5395.5 545 1.3625

pg. 15
COMPRESSION TEST:

Data Provided:

Height = H = 75” = 1.905m

Base = B = 75” = 1.905m
Calculation:

Area = 1.905 x 1.905 = 3.629m2

Axial Strength = F/A = 62 x 103/(1.905 x 1.27) = 24676.617 Pa = 24.676 KPa

Sr# Load kN Deflection δ(mm) ε=δ/h*100 σ=p/A k=p/δ

gauge (%) (MN/m2) (MN/m)
1 0 200 2.00 4.065 0.000 0.000
2 5 252 2.52 5.122 1990.050 1.984
3 15 262 2.62 5.325 5970.149 5.725
4 20 267 2.67 5.427 7960.199 7.491
5 25 271 2.71 5.508 9950.249 9.225
6 30 275 2.75 5.589 11940.299 10.909
7 35 279 2.79 5.671 13930.348 12.545
8 40 283 2.83 5.752 15920.398 14.134
9 45 287 2.87 5.833 17910.448 15.679
10 50 291 2.91 5.915 19900.498 17.182
11 52 292 2.92 5.935 20696.517 17.808
12 54 294 2.94 5.976 21492.537 18.367
13 56 295 2.95 5.996 22288.557 18.983
14 58 296 2.96 6.016 23084.517 19.595
15 60 298 2.98 6.057 23880.597 20.134
16 62 300 3.00 6.098 24676.617 20.662

pg. 16
 Stress - Strain (Parallel to Grains)
30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5

CONCLUSION

After the necessary tests (compression & flexural), it is concluded that the sample of beam (50” x
75”) provided by the supplier meets our required flexural strength (2.5KPa). Therefore, it can bear
load perfectly as a beam as it can bear 8.92 MPa of stress.

However, the column sample (75’’ x 75’’) provided by the supplier failed the compression test
requirement that we needed (75KN). It can support max load of 62 KN.

Therefore, Keil wood sample provided by the local supplier can be used as a beam (horizontal
member), but it cannot be used as a column (Vertical member).

This test is performed

to determine the strength
of a material under

pg. 17
compression. Generally,
the compression test is
carried out to know
either simple compression
characteristics of material
or column action of
structural members. It
has been observed that
for varying heights of
members, keeping the
cross sectional and the
load applied constant,

pg. 18
there is an increased
tendency towards bending
of a member. Members
under compression usually
bend along the minor axis,
i.e, along least
lateral dimension.
Below are the used
formulas for calculating
the
required values.

pg. 19
Young’s
modulus=slope of stress
vs strain graph
Ultimate compressive
strength= Force (N) just
before rupture/
(original c/s area)
Percentage reduction in
length= (initial length
-final length)
*100/initial length
pg. 20
Where: -
P is the applied load
A is the cross-sectional
area
This test is performed
to determine the strength
of a material under
compression. Generally,
the compression test is
carried out to know
either simple compression
characteristics of material
or column action of
pg. 21
structural members. It
has been observed that
for varying heights of
members, keeping the
cross sectional and the
load applied constant,
there is an increased
tendency towards bending
of a member. Members
under compression usually
bend along the minor axis,
i.e, along least

pg. 22
lateral dimension.
Below are the used
formulas for calculating
the
required values.A
compression test is a
method for determining
the behavior of
materials under a
compressive load.
Compression tests are

pg. 23
conducted by loading
the test specimen
between two plates, and
then applying a force to
the specimen by
moving the crossheads
together. The
compression test is
used to determine
elastic limit,

pg. 24
proportional limit, yield
point, yield strength,
and (for some
materials) compressive
strength, which is the
maximum
compressive strength a
material can withstand
A compression test is a
method for determining
the behavior of
pg. 25
materials under a
compressive load.
Compression tests are
conducted by loading
the test specimen
between two plates, and
then applying a force to
the specimen by
moving the crossheads
together. The
compression test is
pg. 26
used to determine
elastic limit,
proportional limit, yield
point, yield strength,
and (for some
materials) compressive
strength, which is the
maximum
compressive strength a
material can withstan

pg. 27