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LABORATORY NO. 2
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PHILIPPINE WOOD
I. Introduction
The mechanical properties of wood are its fitness and ability to resist applied or external forces. By
external force is meant any force outside of a given piece of material which tends to deform it in any manner. It is
largely such properties that determine the use of wood for structural and building purposes and innumerable other
uses of which furniture, vehicles, implements, and tool handles are a few common examples.
Knowledge of these properties is obtained through experimentation either in the employment of the wood
in practice or by means of special testing apparatus in the laboratory. Owing to the wide range of variation in
wood it is necessary that a great number of tests be made and that so far as possible all disturbing factors be
eliminated. For comparison of different kinds or sizes a standard method of testing is necessary and the values
must be expressed in some defined units. For these reasons laboratory experiments if properly conducted have
many advantages over any other method.
One object of such investigation is to find unit values for strength and stiffness, etc. These, because of the
complex structure of wood, cannot have a constant value which will be exactly repeated in each test, even though
no error be made. The most that can be accomplished is to find average values, the amount of variation above and
below, and the laws which govern the variation. On account of the great variability in strength of different
specimens of wood even from the same stick and appearing to be alike, it is important to eliminate as far as
possible all extraneous factors liable to influence the results of the tests.
The mechanical properties of the woods are: (1) stiffness and elasticity, (2) tensile strength, (3) compressive or
crushing strength, (4) shearing strength, (5) transverse or bending strength, (6) toughness, (7) hardness, (8)
cleavability, (9) resilience.
II. Objectives
The overall objective of this laboratory activity is for us to know the mechanical properties of the
Philippine woods.
PROPERTIES OF WOOD
1. Wood is fibrous material. In which the fibre’s run longitudinally through the wood section.
2. Wood is viscoelastic. Under relatively low stresses, it behaves elastically.
3. Wood is anisotropic. Properties are different along the grain from perpendicular to the grain.
4. Wood is hygroscopic. It absorbs moisture.
PROPERTIES OF WOOD
Strength is the ability of wood in resisting stress and strain.
However, strength of different wood varies in the following manner:
1. Resistant to compression along the fibers.
2. Stiffness or the ability to resist bending stress.
3. Strength in tension or the ability to resist lengthwise stresses.
4. Shearing strength or the ability of the fibers to resist rupture along or across the grain.
Moisture is an important factor affecting the strength of wood. To a certain extent, strength increases
with the degree of wood seasoning.
Weight of wood is another important consideration because heavy woods are generally stronger than light
woods.
Hardness is expressed as resistance to indentation or to the saw or axe across the grain.
Degree of seasoning
Durability- the ability to resist decay/ length of life under a given condition
This very popular tropical wood has tones that range from yellow to red. The grain (texture and alignment of
wood fiber) is often interlocked and wavy, which creates interesting flame and ribbon figures when quartersawn
or flat sawn, which makes it a beautiful finishing material. Texture can be anywhere from average-fine to
average-coarse. The wood itself is lustrous and has an attractive odor. Narra is classified as endangered and
vulnerable here, and in Malaysia.
Ideal for: furnishings, floor planks, wall panels
Common Name(s): Narra, Amboyna (burl)
Scientific Name: Pterocarpus indicus
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 41 lbs/ft3 (655 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .54, .66
Janka Hardness: 1,260 lbf (5,620 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 13,970 lbf/in2 (96.3 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,724,000 lbf/in2 (11.89 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 8,270 lbf/in2 (57.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 4.0%, Volumetric: 6.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
2.) KAMAGONG
Also known as Philippine Ebony, kamagong is a wood unique to the country. With a black heartwood (inner
region) and gray sapwood, this produces really dramatic, dark timber hence the name. The grain is often grayish
and has strong, dark brown streaks. "It's good to use on accent pieces lang, but [it] may not be good idea to make
a whole furniture piece out of it," says Benji.
Ideal for: Small, decorative pieces and combat tools like arnis sticks and eskrima
Common Name(s): Macassar Ebony, Striped Ebony, Amara Ebony
Scientific Name: Diospyros celebica
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Tree Size: 50-65 ft (15-20m) tall, 1.5 ft (.4 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 70 lbs/ft3 (1,120 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .89, 1.12
Janka Hardness: 3,220 lbf (14,140 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 22,790 lbf/in2 (157.2 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 2,515,000 lbf/in2 (17.35 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,630 lbf/in2 (80.2 MPa)
Shrinkage: No data available
3.) ACACIA
Common Name(s): Mangium
Scientific Name: Acacia mangium
Distribution: Australia and Papua New Guinea
Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 32 lbs/ft3 (515 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .42, .52
Janka Hardness: 1,100 lbf (4,890 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 14,230 lbf/in2 (98.2 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,605,000 lbf/in2 (11.07 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,550 lbf/in2 (52.1 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 10.7%, T/R Ratio: 2.8
4.) COCONUT
6.) IPIL-IPIL
The most common lumber in the market. Used generally for framings, joists, trusses, nailers etc.
Common Name(s): Dark Red Meranti, Lauan, Philippine Mahogany
Scientific Name: Shorea spp.
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Tree Size: 65-130 ft (20-40 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (675 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .68
Janka Hardness: 800 lbf (3,570 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 12,710 lbf/in2 (87.7 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,743,000 lbf/in2 (12.02 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,070 lbf/in2 (48.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.9%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 12.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.0
8.) APITONG
Common Name(s): Keruing, Apitong
Scientific Name: Dipterocarpus spp.
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Tree Size: 100-200 ft (30-60 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 46 lbs/ft3 (745 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .59, .74
Janka Hardness: 1,390 lbf (6,170 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 16,710 lbf/in2 (115.2 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 2,293,000 lbf/in2 (15.81 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 8,900 lbf/in2 (61.4 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.5%, Tangential: 10.8%, Volumetric: 16.3%, T/R Ratio
11.) Paldao
PRESSURE-TREATED TIMBER
Preservatives. creosite, creosote solutions, oil-borne chemicals, and water borne inorganic compounds.
Fire Retardants. Reduce flame spread, fuel contributed, and smoke developed. Water-soluble salts.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Lumber – is the term applied to wood after it was sawed or sliced into boards, planks, sticks, etc. for commercial
purposes
Dressed lumber – having at least one smooth sides
S2s – Smooth on two sides
S4s – Smooth on four sides
Slab – is a kind of rough lumber cut tangent to the annual rings of wood running the full length of the log and
containing at least one flat surface
Timber – is a piece of lumber five inches or larger in its smallest dimension.
Plank – is a wide piece of lumber from 2 to 5 inches thick.
Board – is a piece of lumber less than 1 ½ “ thick and at least 4 inches wide.
Seasoning – drying of lumber
Plank – is a wide piece of lumber from 2 to 5 inches thick.
Board – is a piece of lumber less than 1 ½ “ thick and at least 4 inches wide.
Seasoning – drying of lumber
IV. Materials
Laptop
Internet Connection
Paper
Printer
V. Methodology
In doing this lab activity the first thing to do, is to open the laptop and secure the internet connection.
Second, browse into the internet mechanical properties of Philippine woods. And lastly, copy all the needed data.
VI. Conclusion
As a result I was able to determine the mechanical properties of those selected Philippine wood. Each
wood has its own unique qualities which is important for structural applications. Knowing the mechanical
properties of a certain wood, we will be able to understand the behaviour of it when applied and the possibility to
develop numerical models out of it.
VII. References
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1RLNS_enPH786PH786&ei=9T9kXNj4GYyBvwTmtamgAw&q
=mechanical+properties+of+woods&oq=mechanical+properties+of+woods&gs_l=psy-
ab.3..35i39j0i7i30j0i7i10i30j0j0i5i30l2.5169.6609..7866...0.0..0.758.2115.5-1j2......0....1..gws-
wiz.......0i71.UqG5SL1_XNw
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12299/12299-h/12299-h.htm
https://www.filtratimber.com/wood/wood-species/