Mechanical Tests of Full-Sized Polymer Impregnated Timbers

Full-sized members (8 ft. long) were impregnated with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Lodgepole pine 2 by 6’s were tested in static bending and tension. Ponderosa pine 4 by 6’s were tested in static bending. The impregnated lodgepole pine showed no difference from control specimens in either test. This was attributed to the small amount of MMA absorbed by the material. The treated ponderosa pine showed an increase of 32 percent and 25 percent for modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity, respectively. Estimating design values from the test results indicated that the polymer impregnation increased the capability of the ponderosa pine members in bending from that of a No. 3 grade to a Select Structural grade. These results are considered to be of an exploratory nature due to the number of samples tested and the limitations imposed on the treatment variables.

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