This standard specifies the procedures for testing small clear specimens of timber to evaluate their physical and mechanical properties. It provides standardized methods for determining moisture content, specific gravity, static bending strength, compressive strength, and other critical parameters necessary for timber grading and design.
Specifies the procedures for conducting various tests on small, clear timber specimens to determine their physical and mechanical properties.
Quick Reference Values
oven drying temperature103 ± 2°C
standard reference moisture content12%
static bending specimen size50 x 50 x 750 mm
compression parallel specimen size50 x 50 x 200 mm
static bending loading rate2.5 mm/min
Key Formulas
Moisture Content (%) = ((W1 - W0) / W0) x 100
Modulus of Rupture (Static Bending) = 3PL / (2bd²)
Compressive Strength = P / (b x d)
Practical Notes
Specimens must be strictly 'clear', meaning completely free from natural defects like knots, cracks, and decay, to accurately measure the fundamental properties of the wood matrix.
Timber is highly anisotropic; always ensure the grain direction is properly aligned (parallel or perpendicular) with the loading axis as specified for each test.
Strength properties are highly sensitive to moisture; results should always be adjusted to a standard 12% moisture content for fair comparison.