Beatrex June Lademora BSCE-3 Experiment No.

20

INTRODUCTION

Wood, a versatile and naturally renewable material, finds extensive use in

construction, furniture, and countless other industries. Understanding its mechanical

properties, particularly under bending loads, is paramount for ensuring structural

integrity, safety, and efficient design. Static bending tests, a crucial tool in the engineer's

toolbox, provide valuable insights into the behavior of wood beams and columns. These

tests enable us to predict their deflection, stress distribution, and ultimate failure point,

allowing us to design structures that are both strong and economical.

When a beam is subjected to transverse loading, internal bending moments

arise, inducing stresses within its cross-section. The top fibers experience tensile stress

and elongate, while the bottom fibers undergo compressive stress and shorten. The

neutral axis, located at the centroid of the cross-section, experiences no stress.

The modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE) and bending strength (MOR) are

determined by applying a load to the center of a test specimen supported at two points.

The MOE is calculated from the slope of the linear portion of the load-deflection curve,

representing the material's stiffness. The MOR, a measure of the maximum bending

stress a material can withstand before failure, is calculated by the ratio of the bending

moment at the maximum load to the moment of inertia of the full cross-section.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mechanical properties of wood subjected to bending and study

the failure of the material.

1
Beatrex June Lademora BSCE-3 Experiment No. 20

PROCEDURE

The following materials were utilized in doing this experiment:

1. Universal testing machine

2. Wood block

3. Ruler/Meter Stick

The following procedures were used to do this experiment:

1. Measure the cross section and length of specimen and record.

2. Mark the center and end points of the specimen.

3. Place the beam in the machine with ends placed on the supports and

place the loading block at the center of the beam.

4. Apply the load gradually and continuously until maximum load has been

reached.

Figure 1. Static Bending of Wood

5. Record the maximum load.

1.

2
Beatrex June Lademora BSCE-3 Experiment No. 20

TEST RESULTS

Maximum Load, P (lb) 1091.29

Length/Span, L (in) 21

Width of the cross section, B (in) 1.8

Height of the cross section, h (in) 1.6

Modulus of Rupture, MR (psi) 7459.99

3 P max L 3(1091.29)(21)
Modulus of Rupture Calculation: MR= 2
= 2
=7459.99 psi
2b h 2(1.8)(1.6)

Figure 2. Plane of Failure

3
Beatrex June Lademora BSCE-3 Experiment No. 20

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The test results of this experiment demonstrated that a wood specimen

measuring 21 inches in span, 1.8 inches in width, and 1.6 inches in depth withstood a

maximum load of 1091.29 pounds before failure. Utilizing these values, the modulus of

rupture was calculated to be 7459.99 pounds per square inch.

The MOR value can be affected by several factors, including the type of wood,

the moisture content of the wood, and the grain orientation of the wood. The MOR value

for the wood specimen in this experiment is relatively high, which suggests that the

wood was of good quality and was properly prepared for testing.

The wood in the static bending test failed due to tension perpendicular to grain.

This type of failure is caused by forces that are applied perpendicular to the grain of the

wood, such as when a board is bent. The wood fibers in the tension zone are pulled

apart, resulting in a failure that is characterized by a splintering or shearing of the wood.

4
Beatrex June Lademora BSCE-3 Experiment No. 20

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The objective of this experiment was to determine the mechanical properties of

wood subjected to bending and study the failure of the material. The wood specimen

successfully withstood a maximum load of 1091.29 pounds before failure. The modulus

of rupture was calculated to be 7459.99 pounds per square inch, indicating that the

wood was of good quality and was properly prepared for testing. The wood failed due to

tension perpendicular to grain, a common type of failure in wood structures caused by

forces applied perpendicular to the grain.

To further improve the experiment, the following suggestions are recommended:

 To enhance the bending strength of wood structures, consider using

stronger wood species with higher modulus of rupture values.

 Ensure proper moisture content of wood during construction and

throughout its service life.

 Orient the grain of the wood in the direction of the primary bending force to

minimize the risk of tension perpendicular to grain failure.

 Regularly inspect wood structures for signs of damage or

deterioration, particularly in areas with high moisture exposure or frequent loading.