Chapter II: Preface: Part I the Mechanical Properties of Wood

Introduction
Fundamental considerations and definitions
Tensile strength
Compressive or crushing strength
Shearing strength
Transverse or bending strength: Beams
Toughness: Torsion
Hardness
Cleavability

PART II FACTORS AFFECTING THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF
WOOD

Introduction
Rate of growth
Heartwood and sapwood
Weight, density, and specific gravity
Color
Cross grain
Knots
Frost splits
Shakes, galls, pitch pockets
Insect injuries
Marine wood-borer injuries
Fungous injuries
Parasitic plant injuries
Locality of growth
Season of cutting
Water content
Temperature
Preservatives

PART III TIMBER TESTING

Working plan
Forms of material tested
Size of test specimens
Moisture determination
Machine for static tests
Speed of testing machine
Bending large beams
Bending small beams
Endwise compression
Compression across the grain
Shear along the grain
Impact test
Hardness test: Abrasion and indentation
Cleavage test
Tension test parallel to the grain
Tension test at right angles to the grain
Torsion test
Special tests
Spike pulling test
Packing boxes
Vehicle and implement woods
Cross-arms
Other tests

APPENDIX

Sample working plan of United States Forest
Service
Strength values for structural timbers

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Part I: Some general works on mechanics, materials of
construction, and testing of materials
Part II: Publications and articles on the mechanical
properties of wood, and timber testing