ASTM International

Standard Test Methods for Structural Panels in Flexure
 N D3043

Annotation

These test methods determine the flexural properties of strips cut from structural panels or panels up to 4 by 8 ft in size. Structural panels in use include plywood, waferboard, oriented strand board, and composites of veneer and of wood-based layers. Four methods of tests are included:

The choice of method will be dictated by the purpose of the test, type of material, and equipment availability. All methods are applicable to material that is relative uniform in strength and stiffness properties. Only Method C should be used to test material suspected of having strength or stiffness variations within a panel caused by density variations, knots, knot-holes, areas of distorted grain, fungal attack, or wide growth variations. However, Method B may be used to evaluate certain features such as core gaps and veneer joints in plywood panels where effects are readily projected to full panels. Method C generally is preferred where size of test material permits. Moments applied to fail specimens tested by Method A, B or D in which large deflections occur can be considerably larger than nominal. An approximate correction can be made.

Method A, Center-Point Flexure Test—This method is applicable to material that is uniform with respect to elastic and strength properties. Total deflection, and modulus of elasticity computed from it, include a relatively constant component attributable to shear deformation. It is well suited to investigations of many variables that influence properties uniformly throughout the panel in controlled studies and to test small, defect-free control specimens cut from large panels containing defects tested by the large-specimen method.

Method B, Two-Point Flexure Test—This method, like Method A, is suited to the investigation of factors that influence strength and elastic properties uniformly throughout the panel, in controlled studies, and to testing small, defect free control specimens cut from large specimens tested by Method C. However, it may be used to determine the effects of finger joints, veneer joints and gaps, and other features which can be placed entirely between the load points and whose effects can be projected readily to full panel width. Deflection and modulus of elasticity obtained from this method are related to flexural stress only and do not contain a shear component. Significant errors in modulus of rupture can occur when nominal moment is used (see Appendix X1).