Low-cost machine for testing lumber in tension parallel to grain

Interest is increasing in using tension testing machines. This trend is motivated by the fact that parallel-to-grain tension is the dominant stress mode of any parts of engineered wood components. With the objective of offering small laboratories the capability of testing long-length lumber in tension, a low-cost tension testing machine was designed and initially assessed through experiments on 38- by 89-mm (2- by 4-in.) spruce lumber of a wide variety of grades and lengths. Suitable grip surface to transmit load effectively to failure without damaging the wood fibers was determined experimentally. The machine was found to be as efficient as modern commercial machines but more laborious to use. Relatively low machine cost will likely outweigh the disadvantages caused by lack of automation.

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