EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 14251

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2003

ICS 79.040; 91.080.20

English version

Structural round timber - Test methods

Bois de structure rond - Méthodes d'essai Rundholz für bauliche Zwecke - Prüfverfahren

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1 September 2003.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United
Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2003 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14251:2003: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 14251:2003 (E)

Contents page

Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references............................................................................................................................................4
3 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................................4
4 Symbols and abbreviations..................................................................................................................................5
5 Determination of the moisture content of test pieces .......................................................................................5
6 Determination of density of test pieces ..............................................................................................................6
7 Determination of dimensions of test pieces.......................................................................................................6
8 Determination of the modulus of elasticity parallel to the grain ......................................................................6
8.1 Test procedure ..................................................................................................................................................6
8.2 Expression of the results ...................................................................................................................................7
9 Determination of the bending strength parallel to the grain.............................................................................8
9.1 Test piece..........................................................................................................................................................8
9.2 Test procedure ..................................................................................................................................................8
9.3 Expression of the results ...................................................................................................................................8
10 Determination of the modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain.........................................8
10.1 Test procedure ................................................................................................................................................8
10.2 Expression of the results .................................................................................................................................9
11 Compressive strength parallel to the grain ....................................................................................................10
11.1 General..........................................................................................................................................................10
11.2 Test procedure ..............................................................................................................................................10
11.3 Expression of the results ...............................................................................................................................10
12 Test report ..........................................................................................................................................................10
12.1 General..........................................................................................................................................................10
12.2 Test piece ......................................................................................................................................................10
12.3 Test method...................................................................................................................................................11
12.4 Test results ....................................................................................................................................................11
Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................................................12

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 EN 14251:2003 (E)

Foreword

This document (EN 14251:2003) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 124, Timber Structures, the
secretariat of which is held by DS.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by June 2004, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by
June 2004.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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EN 14251:2003 (E)

1 Scope

This standard applies for structural round wood timber other than specified in EN 12509.

This test standard specifies test methods for determining the following properties of structural round timber; the
bending strength, modulus of elasticity in bending; the compressive strength parallel to the grain and modulus of
elasticity in compression parallel to the grain.

In addition, the determination of dimensions, moisture content and density is specified. The methods apply to
debarked round timber.

This standard is not intended for quality-control test purposes.

2 Normative references

This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies (including amendments).

Not applicable.

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

3.1
minimum diameter
minimum diameter of the pole at the section of measurement

3.2
maximum diameter
maximum diameter of the pole at the section of measurement

3.3
apparent diameter
diameter of a circle with the same circumference as the actual circumference at the section of measurement

3.4
nominal diameter
a) largest apparent diameter for poles with 5% or less ovality
b) largest minimum diameter for poles with more than 5% ovality

3.5
ovality
difference between the maximum and minimum diameter at a cross section expressed as a percentage of the
minimum diameter

3.6
sweep
deviation of the longitudinal axis from a straight line

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 EN 14251:2003 (E)

3.7
taper
gradual change in diameter along the length

4 Symbols and abbreviations

A cross-sectional area, in square millimetres

a distance between loading position and nearest support in bending test, in millimetres

dnom nominal diameter of round timber beam at either end grain face, in millimetres

dh diameter of round timber perpendicular to the direction of load at mid span, in millimetres

dv diameter of round timber in the direction of load at mid span, in millimetres

Em,0 modulus of elasticity in bending, in Newton per square millimetre

Ec,0 modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain, in Newton per square millimetre

F load, in Newton

Fmax maximum load, in Newton

fc,0 compressive strength parallel to the grain, in Newton per square millimetre

fm,0 bending strength, in Newton per square millimetre

h height of compression parallel to grain test piece, in millimetres

h0 gauge length of compression parallel to grain test piece, in millimetres

I second moment of area, in millimetres to the fourth power

l span in bending, in millimetres

l1 gauge length for the determination of modulus of elasticity in bending, in millimetres

w deflection or displacement in compression, in millimetres.

5 Determination of the moisture content of test pieces

The tests shall be carried out on pieces which are conditioned at the standard environment of (20 ± 2) C and (65 ±
0

5)% relative humidity. A test piece is conditioned when it attains constant mass. Constant mass is considered to be
attained when the results of two successive weightings, carried out with an interval of 6 h, do not differ by more
than 0.1 % of the mass of the test piece.

When other conditions apply they shall be reported.

NOTE Besides that it takes a long time to dry the solid round timber as to the standard environment this will also result in
substantial cracks. When tested in a wet condition this aspect should be taken care of in the derivation of characteristic and
design strength and stiffness values.

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EN 14251:2003 (E)

6 Determination of density of test pieces

The density is measured from a disk (minimum thickness 75mm), taken from the test specimen. The section shall
be of full cross-section, free from knots and resin pockets

The dimensions of the test specimen shall be measured with a device with an accuracy of 1 %. All measurements
shall be made when the test pieces are conditioned as specified in Clause 5. Deviations from a constant cross-
section along the grain direction shall be recorded.

7 Determination of dimensions of test pieces

The dimensions of the test specimen shall be measured with a device with an accuracy of 1 %. All measurements
shall be made when the test pieces are conditioned as specified in Clause 5. Deviations from a constant cross-
section along the grain direction shall be recorded.

8 Determination of the modulus of elasticity parallel to the grain

8.1 Test procedure

The test piece shall be symmetrically loaded in bending at two points over a span of 18 times the nominal diameter
of the round timber. The loading heads shall be placed at the third points of the span. The test piece shall be simply
supported and the direction of the sweep, if any, should be in the direction of the load.

If the test piece or the equipment does not permit these conditions to be achieved exactly, the distance between
the loading points and supports many be changed by an amount not greater than 1,5 times the nominal diameter
measured between the span. The span may be changed by an amount not greater than three times the nominal
diameter, while maintaining the symmetry of the test set-up.

A shaped wooden or wood based block to fit the round timber, of length not greater than the nominal diameter of
the round timber may be inserted between the test piece and the loading heads or supports to minimise local
indentation.

NOTE The blocks under the loading heads and the supports may differ in thickness as to take account of the tapering of the
test piece.

Figure 1 - Test arrangement for the determination of the modulus of elasticity

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 EN 14251:2003 (E)

The test arrangement shall maintain the loading forces equal.

The load shall be applied at a constant rate. The rate of movement of the loading heads is determined from the
results of preliminary bending strength tests according to 9.2. The measuring device used shall be capable of
measuring the load to an accuracy of 1% of the load applied to the test piece.

The maximum load shall not exceed the proportional limit load or cause damage to the piece.

At mid-span the diameter in the direction of the load dv and perpendicular to the load dh are recorded.

The deformation w shall be taken as the average of the measurements on both faces at the neutral axis, and shall
be measured at the centre of the central gauge length of five times the nominal diameter, dnom at mid-span in the
direction of the load, see Figure 1.

The measurements shall be determined with accuracy of 1% or, for deformations less than 2 mm, with an accuracy
of 0.02 mm.

8.2 Expression of the results

The modulus of elasticity in bending parallel to the grain Em,0 is determined by :


(M1 − M 2 ) c 4 1 D 1
Em,0 = − − + 
6 ( w1 − w2 ) I1
 (c + l1 / 2)
2
2 c2 
l d 1 1 
with c = 1 1 and D =  2 − 2 
(d 2 − d1 )  c (c + l1 ) 

where

M1 – M2 is the increment of bending moment on the straight-line portion of the load deformation curve, in
Newton millimetres

w1 – w2 is the increment of displacement, in millimetres

d1 is the smallest apparent diameter along the gauge length, in millimetres

d2 is the biggest apparent diameter along the gauge length, in millimetres

I1 is the smallest second moment of area along the gauge length, in millimetres to the fourth power

l is the gauge length, in millimetres

If Em,0 is calculated from a bending moment/deformation linear regression the square of the correlation coefficient
should be greater than 0.99.

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EN 14251:2003 (E)

9 Determination of the bending strength parallel to the grain

9.1 Test piece

The test piece shall have a minimum length of 18 times the nominal diameter, dnom.

9.2 Test procedure

The load shall be applied at a constant rate and so adjusted that the maximum load is reached within (300 ± 120)s.
The time to failure of each test piece shall be recorded and its average reported.
Any single test piece diverging more than 120s from the target of 300s shall be reported.

The mode of fracture and growth characteristics at the fracture section of each test piece shall be reported.

9.3 Expression of the results

The bending strength fm,0 is given by the equation:

16 Fmax a
fm,0 =
π d h dv
2

where:

F max the maximum total load of both loading heads, in Newton

a the distance between the loading position and the support, in millimetres

dv the diameter in the direction of the load at mid-span, in millimetres

dh the diameter perpendicular to the load direction at mid-span, in millimetres

10 Determination of the modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain

The test piece shall be of full cross-section, and shall have a length of six times the nominal diameter, dnom. The
end surfaces shall be accurately prepared to ensure that they are plane and parallel to each other and
perpendicular to the axis of the test piece.

10.1 Test procedure

The test piece shall be loaded concentrically. This can be achieved using spherically seated loading-heads or other
devices, which permit the application of a compressive load without inducing bending. After an initial load has been
applied the loading-heads shall be locked to prevent angular movement.

The deformation shall be measured over a central gauge length, h0, equal to four times the nominal diameter, dnom
of the test piece. The transducer shall be located centrally in the test piece height, h, on two opposite sides
according to Figure 2.

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 EN 14251:2003 (E)

Key

T) transducer

Figure 2 - Compression test principle for modulus of elasticity parallel to the grain

The measurements shall be determined with an accuracy of 1%.

The deformation load shall be applied at a constant rate and so adjusted that the maximum load is reached within
(300 ± 120) s. The time to failure of each test piece shall be recorded.

Any single test piece diverging more than 120 s from the target of 300 s shall be reported.

10.2 Expression of the results

The modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain direction Ec,0 is given by :

h0 ( F2 − F1 )
Ec,0 =
A ( w2 − w1 )
where:

F2 – F1 is the increment of load on a straight-line portion of the load deformation curve, in Newton

w2 – w1 is the mean increment of deformation corresponding to F2 – F1, in millimetres

h0 is the gauge length, in millimetres

A is the cross-sectional area near to the location of failure, in millimetre square

If Ec,0 is calculated from a load/deformation linear regression the square of the correlation coefficient should be
greater than 0.99

The modulus of elasticity shall be calculated to an accuracy of 1%.

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EN 14251:2003 (E)

11 Compressive strength parallel to the grain

11.1 General

The test piece shall be of full cross-section, and shall have a length of six times the smallest diameter. The end
surfaces shall be accurately prepared to ensure that they are plane and parallel to each other and perpendicular to
the axis of the test piece.

11.2 Test procedure

The test piece shall be loaded concentrically. This can be achieved using spherically seated loading-heads or other
devices, which permit the application of a compressive load without inducing bending. After an initial load has been
applied the loading-heads shall be locked to prevent angular movement. The load shall be applied at a constant
rate. The load shall be applied at a constant rate and so adjusted that the maximum load is reached within (300 ±
120) s. The time to failure of each test piece shall be recorded and its average reported.

The loading equipment shall be capable of measuring the load to an accuracy of 1% of the load applied to the test
piece.

Any single test piece diverging more than 120 s from the target of 300 s shall be reported.

The mode of fracture and growth characteristics at the fracture section of each test piece shall be reported.

11.3 Expression of the results

The compressive strength fc,0 is given by the equation

4 Fmax
fc,0 =
π d 2 d1
where:

F max is the maximum load, in Newton

d1 and d2 are two diameters perpendicular to each other measured close to the fracture, in millimetres

12 Test report

12.1 General

The test report shall include details of the test piece, the test method used and the test results.

12.2 Test piece

The following information shall be given:

• Description of the test piece, specification and quality of the material,: species or type, grade, density,
deviations from specifications, strength reducing characteristics and size of defects;

• Size of the test piece;

• Country, region or mill of origin of the material sampled;

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 EN 14251:2003 (E)

• Method of selection of the test pieces;

• Method of conditioning;

• Any other information, which may have influenced the test results, for example drying history.

12.3 Test method

The following information shall be given:

• Methods of test used;

• Temperature and relative humidity at the time of test;

• Description of the load testing device, the test equipment and the measuring instruments used;

• Any other information, which may have influenced the test results.

12.4 Test results

The following information for each test piece shall normally be given:

• Moisture content at time of test;

• Density;

• Actual dimensions;

• Moduli of elasticity and/or strength values;

• Location and mode of failure;

• Times to reach the maximum load;

• Any other information, which may have influenced the use of the test results.

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EN 14251:2003 (E)

Bibliography

EN 12509 2001 Timber poles for overhead lines - Test methods - Determination of
modulus of elasticity, bending strength, density and moisture
content

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