ASTM D143-94(2007)

Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These methods cover tests on small clear specimens of wood that are made to provide the following:
4.1.1 Data for comparing the mechanical properties of various species,
4.1.2 Data for the establishment of correct strength functions, which in conjunction with results of tests of timbers in structural sizes (see Methods D 198 and Test Method D 4761), afford a basis for establishing allowable stresses, and
4.1.3 Data to determine the influence on the mechanical properties of such factors as density, locality of growth, position in cross section, height of timber in the tree, change of properties with seasoning or treatment with chemicals, and change from sapwood to heartwood.
SCOPE
1.1 These methods cover the determination of various strength and related properties of wood by testing small clear specimens.
1.1.1 These methods represent procedures for evaluating the different mechanical and physical properties, controlling factors such as specimen size, moisture content, temperature, and rate of loading.
1.1.2 Sampling and collection of material is discussed in Practice D5536. Sample data, computation sheets, and cards have been incorporated, which were of assistance to the investigator in systematizing records.
1.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI values are given in parentheses and are provided for information only. When a weight is prescribed, the basic inch-pound unit of weight (lbf) and the basic SI unit of mass (Kg) are cited.
1.2 The procedures for the various tests appear in the following order: SectionsPhotographs of Specimens5Control of Moisture Content and Temperature6Record of Heartwood and Sapwood7Static Bending8Compression Parallel to Grain9Impact Bending10Toughness11Compression Perpendicular to Grain12Hardness13Shear Parallel to Grain14Cleavage15Tension Parallel to Grain16Tension Perpendicular to Grain17Nail Withdrawal18Specific Gravity and Shrinkage in Volume19Radial and Tangential Shrinkage20Moisture Determination21Permissible Variations22Calibration23
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2007
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.01 - Fundamental Test Methods and Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D143-94(2000)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM D143-09 - Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D9-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D5457-23 - Standard Specification for Computing Reference Resistance of Wood-Based Materials and Structural Connections for Load and Resistance Factor Design
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3983-98(2019) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Strength and Shear Modulus of Nonrigid Adhesives by the Thick-Adherend Tensile-Lap Specimen
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4680-98(2023) - Standard Test Method for Creep and Time to Failure of Adhesives in Static Shear by Compression Loading (Wood-to-Wood)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D245-22 - Standard Practice for Establishing Structural Grades and Related Allowable Properties for Visually Graded Lumber
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM B900-16(2022) - Standard Practice for Packaging of Copper and Copper Alloy Mill Products for U.S. Government Agencies
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7031-11(2019) - Standard Guide for Evaluating Mechanical and Physical Properties of Wood-Plastic Composite Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D5572-95(2019) - Standard Specification for Adhesives Used for Finger Joints in Nonstructural Lumber Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7199-20 - Standard Practice for Establishing Characteristic Values for Reinforced Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) Beams Using Mechanics-Based Models
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3632-98(2019) - Standard Test Method for Accelerated Aging of Adhesive Joints by the Oxygen-Pressure Method
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3499-19 - Standard Test Method for Toughness of Wood Structural Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D1761-20 - Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Fasteners in Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3931-08(2023) - Standard Test Method for Determining Strength of Gap-Filling Adhesive Bonds in Shear by Compression Loading
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D143 – 94 (Reapproved 2007)
Standard Test Methods for
1
Small Clear Specimens of Timber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D143; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
The need to classify wood species by evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of small
clear specimens has always existed. Because of the great variety of species, variability of the material,
continually changing conditions of supply, many factors affecting test results, and ease of comparing
variables, the need will undoubtedly continue to exist.
In the preparation of these methods for testing small clear specimens, consideration was given both
to the desirability of adopting methods that would yield results comparable to those already available
and to the possibility of embodying such improvements as experience has shown desirable. In view
of the many thousands of tests made under a single comprehensive plan by the U.S. Forest Service,
the former Forest Products Laboratories of Canada (now Forintek Canada Corp.), and other similar
organizations, the methods naturally conform closely to the methods used by these institutions. These
methods are the outgrowth of a study of both American and European experience and methods. The
general adoption of these methods will tend toward a world-wide unification of results, permitting an
interchange and correlation of data, and establishing the basis for a cumulative body of fundamental
information on the timber species of the world.
Descriptionsofsomeofthestrengthtestsrefertoprimarymethodsandsecondarymethods.Primary
methods provide for specimens of 2 by 2-in. (50 by 50-mm) cross-section. This size of specimen has
been extensively used for the evaluation of various mechanical and physical properties of different
species of wood, and a large number of data based on this primary method have been obtained and
published.
The 2 by 2-in. (50 by 50-mm) size has the advantage in that it embraces a number of growth rings,
is less influenced by earlywood and latewood differences than smaller size specimens, and is large
enough to represent a considerable portion of the sampled material. It is advisable to use primary
method specimens wherever possible. There are circumstances, however, when it is difficult or
impossible to obtain clear specimens of 2 by 2-in. cross section having the required 30 in. (760 mm)
length for static bending tests. With the increasing incidence of smaller second growth trees, and the
desirability in certain situations to evaluate a material which is too small to providea2by 2-in.
cross-section, a secondary method which utilizesa1by 1-in. (25 by 25-mm) cross section has been
included. This cross section is established for compression parallel to grain and static bending tests,
while the 2 by 2-in. cross-section is retained for impact bending, compression perpendicular to grain,
hardness, shear parallel to grain, cleavage, and tension perpendicular to grain. Toughness and tension
parallel to grain are special tests using specimens of smaller cross section.
The user is cautioned that test results between two different sizes of specimens are not necessarily
directly comparable. Guidance on the effect of specimen size on a property being evaluated is beyond
the scope of these methods, and should be sought elsewhere.
Where the application, measurement, or recording of load and deflection can be accomplished using
electronic equipment and computerized apparatus, such devices are encouraged, providing they do not
lower the standard of accuracy and reliability available with basic mechanical equipment.
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D143 – 94 (2007)
1. Scope D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
1.1 These methods cover the determination of various
D4761 Test Methods for Mechanical Properties of Lumber
strength and related properties of wood by testing small clear
and Wood-Base Structural Material
specimens.
D5536 Practice for Sampling Forest Trees for Determina-
1.1.1 Thesemethodsrepresentproceduresforevaluatingthe
tion of Clear Wood Properties
different mechanical and physical properties, controlling fac-
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
tors such as specimen size, moisture content, temperature, and
rate of loading.
3. Summary of
...