An alternative method for shear strength assessment

This paper describes an alternative testing method to estimate the shear strength of solid wood parallel to the grain. The testing apparatus discussed here has been successfully used for determining shear strength of gluelines in wood composites. Experimental results obtained from testing yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) specimens by the ASTM standard test method showed acceptable agreement with data resulting from the alternative testing procedure. Specimens having similar anatomical characteristics had higher shear strength by the alternative method, suggesting that this method might decrease the magnitudes of disturbing normal stresses. However, the size effect was not considered during this research. Failure modes supported this hypothesis. The proposed testing pattern is less dependent on the specimen’s dimension in any direction. Therefore, it might be more suitable for research purposes in testing small clear specimens or different anatomical regions of solid wood.

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