Class: BE210
Group: T5
Members:
Date: April 2004
Abstract:
The objective of this project is
to investigate the mechanical and failure properties of wooden
materials using
the Instron machine under a three-point bending test.
Understanding the failure force of materials
provides an important insight into the maximum safe load that can be
applied
without causing failure. While material
properties are not geometry dependent, structural properties are
dependent on
the size, shape and orientation of the specimen, in addition to the
type of
loading it experiences. This project
will focus on investigating the effects of increasing thicknesses and
loading
rates on the failure force of wooden materials. In addition, we will
also be
investigating the difference in failure forces with different densities
(associated with different wooden materials). From gaining an
understanding into structural properties, the material properties can
also be
determined and used to develop mathematical models to predict the
response of
wooden materials to various loading conditions.
The techniques applied in this project can be extended to other
materials such as bones and skin, and used to find their intrinsic
material
properties.