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Engineering Properties of Lumber
Civil Engineering and Design
Engineering Materials
Engineering Properties of Lumber / Wood
Wood has a number of desirable properties. It machines and fastens easily; it is attractive, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio; when dry, it has good electrical-, heat-, and noise-insulating properties; it is long-lasting in dry environments; and it accepts preservative treatment readily. On the negative side are its directional-strength characteristics (because of its grain), its large dimensional change and tendency to warp with changes in moisture content, its susceptibility to rot in moist environments, and its poor abrasion resistance.
Engineering Properties of Lumber / wood.
Species |
Specific Gravity |
Yield strength mPa (lbf/in2) |
Hardness |
Ash, Black |
0.49 |
50 (7200) |
620 |
Ash, White |
0.6 |
61 (8900) |
1320 |
Birch |
0.61 |
62 (9000) |
1210 |
Cherry |
0.5 |
62 (9000) |
950 |
Chestnut |
0.43 |
42 (6100) |
540 |
Elm, American |
0.5 |
52 (7600) |
830 |
Fir, Douglas |
0.44 |
52 (7400) |
600 |
Hemlock |
0.41 |
44 (6400) |
54-01450 |
Hickory, butternut |
0.66 |
64 (9300) |
700 |
Maple, sugar |
0.63 |
66 (9500) |
1310 |
Maple, silver |
0.47 |
43 (6200) |
1320 |
Oak, red |
0.64 |
59 (8500) |
380 |
Oak, white |
0.66 |
53 (7700) |
540 |
Pine, white |
0.35 |
39 (5700) |
480 |
Poplar, yellow |
0.42 |
43 (6200) |
470 |
Redwood |
0.4 |
48 (6900) |
|
Spruce |
0.39 |
43 (6200) |