ASTM D3501-94

Standard Test Methods for Wood-Based Structural Panels in Compression

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the compression properties of wood-based structural panels. Wood-based structural panels in use include plywood, waferboard, oriented strand board, and composites of veneer and of wood-based layers.
1.2 Method A, Compression Test for Small Specimens--This method is applicable to small specimens that are uniform with respect to elastic and strength properties. Two types of compression tests are employed: one to evaluate both elastic and compressive strength properties, and the second to evaluate maximum compressive strength only.
1.3 Method B, Compression Test for Large Specimens--This method employs large specimens and responds well to manufacturing variables and growth characteristics that influence compression properties of structural panels.
1.3.1 This method is intended for the following:
1.3.1.1 Comparative tests of structural panels,
1.3.1.2 Evaluating the effects of moisture content on strength properties of structural panels,
1.3.1.3 Determining the strength properties of structural panels, and
1.3.1.4 Evaluating the effects of raw material and manufacturing variables on compression properties of structural panels.
1.4 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-Dec-1999
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.03 - Panel Products

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3501-94(2000) - Standard Test Methods for Wood-Based Structural Panels in Compression
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• 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-Jan-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7033-22 - Standard Practice for Establishing Design Capacities for Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1037-12(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3501 – 94
Standard Test Methods for
Wood-Based Structural Panels in Compression
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3501; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope structural panels in response to stresses acting in the plane of
the panel.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
3.2 Method A—This method is applicable to structural
compression properties of wood-based structural panels.
panels of uniform properties within a panel. It is useful for
Wood-based structural panels in use include plywood, wafer-
evaluating plywood of clear, straight-grained veneers and
board, oriented strand board, and composites of veneer and of
determining the effect of chemical or preservative treatments,
wood-based layers.
construction, principal direction with respect to direction of
1.2 Method A, Compression Test for Small Specimens—This
stress, and other variables that are expected to uniformly
method is applicable to small specimens that are uniform with
influence the panel.
respect to elastic and strength properties. Two types of com-
3.3 Method B:
pression tests are employed: one to evaluate both elastic and
3.3.1 The compressive properties obtained by this method
compressive strength properties, and the second to evaluate
are a reliable approximation of the strength of a full-size panel,
maximum compressive strength only.
and are intended for use in design.
1.3 Method B, Compression Test for Large Specimens—
3.3.2 The compressive properties are influenced by buck-
This method employs large specimens and responds well to
ling; however, this effect is eliminated in this test by restraining
manufacturing variables and growth characteristics that influ-
the edges of the specimens.
ence compression properties of structural panels.
3.4 It is recommended that where comparisons are to be
1.3.1 This method is intended for the following:
made, that the same method and specimen size be used
1.3.1.1 Comparative tests of structural panels,
throughout. This is because the volume of material included in
1.3.1.2 Evaluating the effects of moisture content on
a test specimen can influence the compressive strength regard-
strength properties of structural panels,
less of whether the material properties are uniform throughout
1.3.1.3 Determining the strength properties of structural
the sheet or vary widely due to the presence of growth or
panels, and
manufacturing features.
1.3.1.4 Evaluating the effects of raw material and manufac-
turing variables on compression properties of structural panels.
4. Control of Moisture Content
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Condition structural panel samples to be tested at a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specific moisture content or relative humidity to approximate
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
constant weight in controlled atmospheric conditions before
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
testing. For panels used under dry conditions, a relative
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
humidity of 65 6 2 % at a temperature of 68 6 6°F (20 6 3°C)
2. Referenced Documents is preferred.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Variables Influencing the Compressive Properties of
D 2395 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Wood and
Structural Panels
Wood-Base Materials
5.1 Moisture Content—Cut a moisture content sample hav-
D 4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
2 2
2 ing minimum area of 2 in. (13 cm ) from the clear areas of the
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
specimen and weigh immediately after each test. Moisture
3. Significance and Use content samples from large specimens of Method B shall have
2 2
minimum area of 8 in. (52 cm ). If inspection of the edges of
3.1 These methods determine the compressive strength of
a plywood panel reveals the presence of a knot in any ply,
select a second sample. Moisture content samples also serving
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-7 on
as specific gravity samples shall be free of voids. Moisture
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.03 on Panel Products.
content determinations shall be made in accordance with Test
Current edition approved July 15, 1994. Published September 1994. Originally
published as D 3501 – 76. Last previous edition D 3501 – 76(1986).
Methods D 4442.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 3501
5.2 Specific Gravity—Determine specific gravity in accor- length 4 in. (100 mm). Such specimens shall be supported
dance with Test Methods D 2395. The specimen may be the laterally throughout the test.
same as that for moisture content determination but must have
7.2.3 When tests to evaluate maximum compressive
3 3
volume of at least 1 in. (16 cm ) if from small specimens, and strength only are required, an alternative type of specimen 4 in.
3 3
at least 3 in. (49 cm ) if from large specimens and be free of
(100 mm) in width and a length equal to six times the thickness
visible knots or voids. may be used.
7.2.4 The end surfaces of the specimen shall be smooth and
METHOD A—COMPRESSION TEST
parallel to each other and at right angles to the length.
FOR SMALL SPECIMENS
8. Evaluation of Both Compressive Strength and Elastic
6. Direction of Grain, Fibers, or Layers
Properties
6.1 The direction of the individual plies, laminations, or
8.1 Support laterally test specimens ⁄4 in. (6 mm) or less in
layers shall be parallel, perpendicular, or inclined at any other
thickness intended for use in obtaining load deformation data
required angle to the length of the test specimen.
to prevent buckling during the test, but do not exert undue
pressure against the sides of the specimen. This support shall
7. Test Specimen
not measurably restrain the normal compressive deformation
7.1 The test specimen shall be rectangular in cross section.
under load. A satisfactory method of providing lateral support
The thickness, width, and length of each specimen shall be
is illustrated in Fig. 1, and a detailed design of this apparatus
measured to an accuracy of not less than 60.3 % or 0.001 in.
is shown in Fig. 2.
(0.02 mm), whichever is larger.
7.2 When tests to evaluate both elastic and compressive
9. Loading Procedure
strength properties are required, the size of the specimens shall
9.1 Apply the load through a spherical bearing block pref-
be as follows:
erably of the suspended, self-aligning type. Apply the load with
7.2.1 For Material Over ⁄4 in. (6 mm) in Thickness, the
a continuous motion of the movable head so as to cause failure
specimens shall have a thickness equal to that of the material
within 3 to 10 min after
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