CIVL 2020 Lab No. 3: Compressive Test of Wood Specimens

These flashcards cover key concepts from the laboratory module on the compressive test of wood specimens, including definitions and important terms related to wood mechanics.

Compression Parallel to Grain

A condition where timber is stressed in a manner that causes shortening of the fibers in the direction of the grain.

Modulus of Elasticity (E)

A measure of the stiffness of a material, determined by the slope of the stress-strain curve.

Anisotropic Material

A material that behaves differently in different directions, such as wood.

Compressive Strength

The capacity of a material to resist axial loads that tend to compress it.

Failure Modes

Different types of structural failure that timber can experience under compressive loads, including crushing and splitting.

Stress-Strain Curve

A graphical representation of the relationship between stress and strain for a material.

Safety Factor

The ratio of the strength of a material to the load applied to it, used to ensure structures can handle unexpected loads.

Homogeneous Material

A material with a uniform composition and properties, such as steel.

Design Code

Regulations that specify the acceptable limits of stress for materials to ensure safety.

Proportional Limit

The maximum stress at which a material will return to its original shape when the load is removed.