INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 13061-3

First edition
2014-12-01

Physical and mechanical properties of

wood — Test methods for small clear
wood specimens —
Part 3:
Determination of ultimate strength in
static bending
Propriétés physiques et mécaniques du bois — Méthodes d’essais sur
échantillons de bois sans défauts —
Partie 3: Détermination de la contrainte de rupture en flexion statique

Reference number
ISO 13061-3:2014(E)

© ISO 2014
ISO 13061-3:2014(E)


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Contents Page

Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. vi
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
4 Principle......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
5 Apparatus...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
6 Preparation of test pieces............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
6.1 General............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
6.2 Moisture content of test pieces.................................................................................................................................................. 2
7 Procedure..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
8 Calculation and expression of results.............................................................................................................................................. 3
9 Test report.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Bibliography................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1.  In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted.  This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT), see the following URL: Foreword — Supplementary information.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 218, Timber.
This first edition of ISO 13061-3 cancels and replaces ISO 3133:1975, which has been technically revised
with regards to the sizes, grain orientation, and moisture content of test pieces, and adjustment for
moisture content.
ISO 13061 consists of the following parts, under the general title Physical and mechanical properties of
wood — Test methods for small clear specimens:
— Part 1: Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests
— Part 2: Determination of density for physical and mechanical tests
— Part 3: Determination of ultimate strength in static bending
— Part 4: Determination of modulus of elasticity in static bending
— Part 6: Determination of ultimate tensile stress parallel to grain
— Part 7: Determination of ultimate tensile stress perpendicular to grain
The following parts are under preparation:
— Part 5: Determination of strength in compression perpendicular to grain
— Part 10: Determination of impact bending strength
— Part 11: Determination of resistance to impact indentation
— Part 12: Determination of static hardness
— Part 13: Determination of radial and tangential shrinkage
— Part 14: Determination of volumetric shrinkage

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— Part 15: Determination of radial and tangential swelling

— Part 16: Determination of volumetric swelling
— Part 17: Determination of strength in compression parallel to grain

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Introduction
The main purpose of this International Standard is to establish the common international point of
member countries of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), concerning testing
methods for small clear wood specimens and general requirements for determining physical and
mechanical properties of wood.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 13061-3:2014(E)

Physical and mechanical properties of wood — Test

methods for small clear wood specimens —
Part 3:
Determination of ultimate strength in static bending

1 Scope
This part of ISO  13061 specifies a method for determining the ultimate strength of wood in static
bending by measuring the breaking load applied in the mid-span of a simply supported beam.

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO  3129, Wood — Sampling methods and general requirements for physical and mechanical testing of
small clear wood specimens
ISO  13061-1, Physical and mechanical properties of wood — Test methods for small clear specimens —
Part 1: Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests
ISO  13061-2, Physical and mechanical properties of wood — Test methods for small clear specimens —
Part 2: Determination of density for physical and mechanical tests
ISO 24294, Timber — Round and sawn timber — Vocabulary

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 24294 apply.

4 Principle
The ultimate strength in static bending (modulus of rupture) is determined by measuring the maximum
load required to cause rupture of the test piece under static load applied in the mid-span of a simply
supported beam.

5 Apparatus

5.1 Testing machine, providing (1) a rigid frame to support the test piece yet permit its deflection
without restraint, (2) a loading head through which the force is applied without high stress concentrations
in the test piece, (3) a constant rate of loading of the test piece or of movement of the loading head, and
(4) a force-measuring device that is calibrated to ensure accuracy of 1 %.

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5.2 Support apparatus, to provide support of the test piece at the specified span.

5.2.1 Reaction bearing plates or metal bearing plates, to prevent damage of the test piece at the
point of contact between the test piece and reaction support.

The plates shall be of sufficient length, thickness, and width to provide a firm bearing surface and ensure
a uniform bearing stress across the width of the test piece.
NOTE Usually, the length of the bearing plate that is twice the height of the test piece is sufficient.

5.2.2 Reaction supports. The bearing plates shall be supported by devices that provide unrestricted
longitudinal deformation and rotation of the test piece at the reactions due to loading. Provisions shall be
made to allow for initial twist in the length of the test piece.
NOTE Laterally adjustable knife edges and bearing plates with rollers at both supports are normally used.

5.3 Load bearing block, having a radius of curvature of at least 30 mm, for applying the load to the test
piece.

If significant deformation by indentation from the load-bearing block occurs, the radius of curvature
shall be increased.

5.4 Measuring instrument capable of determining the cross-sectional dimensions of the test pieces to
an accuracy of 0,1 mm.

If the test is combined with the determination of the modulus of elasticity in static bending, an
arrangement for measuring linear deflection to an accuracy of at least 0,02  mm should be made, in
accordance with ISO 13061-1.

5.5 Equipment for the determination of moisture content in accordance with ISO 13061-1.

6 Preparation of test pieces

6.1 General

6.1.1 The sampling and preparation of test pieces shall be in accordance with ISO 3129.

6.1.2 Test pieces shall be prepared in the form of rectangular prisms having a square cross-section not
less than 20 mm × 20 mm and length along the grain allowing the span (distance between the centres of
reaction supports) of 12 to 16 times the height of the test pieces and sufficient bearing length.

The test pieces shall be cut so that one of the faces is parallel to the radial grain direction.

6.2 Moisture content of test pieces

6.2.1 Test pieces can be prepared and tested in green or air-dry condition.

6.2.2 The moisture content of test pieces tested in green condition shall be equal to or exceed fibre
saturation point (FSP).

6.2.3 Test pieces tested in air-dry condition shall be conditioned to a constant mass in an atmosphere
with a relative humidity of (65 ±5) % and a temperature of (20 ±2) °C.
NOTE Constant mass is considered to be reached when the results of two successive weighing operations,
carried out at an interval of 8 h, do not differ by more than 0,2 % of the mass of the test piece.

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6.2.4 After preparation, the test pieces shall be stored under conditions which ensure that their
moisture content remains unchanged before testing.

7 Procedure

7.1 Measure the breadth and the height of the cross-section of test piece at the mid-span to the
nearest 0,1 mm.

7.2 Carry out the test with the ratio of the span and the height of the test piece between 12 and 16.
Apply the transverse load to the radial or tangential surface at the mid-span of the test piece. Measure the
distances to the nearest 1 mm.

If the test is combined with the determination of the modulus of elasticity bending, the span shall be 14
times the height of the test piece, in accordance with ISO 13061-4.

7.3 The load shall be applied continuously at a constant rate of loading or constant rate of movement of
the loading head such that the test piece is broken in not less than 0,5 min and not more than 5 min from
the beginning of loading. Read the maximum load to the accuracy specified in 5.1.
NOTE Mechanical properties of wood depend on the speed of testing. Therefore, it is important to select the
speed of testing appropriate for the purpose of the test program and include it in the report.

7.4 As soon as the test has been completed, take sample(s) from the undamaged portion(s) of the test
piece near point of rupture for the determination of moisture content and density according to ISO 13061-
1 and ISO 13061-2, respectively.

8 Calculation and expression of results

8.1 The ultimate strength in static bending (modulus of rupture), σb,W, of each test piece at the moisture
content, W, at the time of test shall be calculated, in N/mm2 (MPa), using the following formula:
3Pmax l
σ b ,W =
2bh2
where
Pmax is the maximum load, in N;

l is the span (distance between the centres of reaction supports), in mm;

b is the breadth of the test piece, in mm;

h is the height of the test piece, in mm.

The results shall be expressed to a precision of 1 N/mm2 (MPa).

8.2 When required, the ultimate strength in static bending (modulus of rupture), σb,W, shall be adjusted
to 12 % moisture content using a nationally or an internationally recognized method.
NOTE An approximate adjustment of the ultimate bending strength to 12 % moisture content can be done
using the following formula, which is valid for moisture contents of (12 ±5) %:

σ b ,12 = σ b ,W 1 + α (W − 12) 

where

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α is the correction factor for the moisture content, equal to 0,04;

W is the moisture content of the wood, determined according to ISO 13061-1.

8.3 The mean and the standard deviation of the results obtained for the individual test pieces in a
sample shall be calculated to a precision of 1 N/mm2 (MPa).

9 Test report
The test report shall contain the following particulars:
a) a reference to this part of ISO 13061, i.e. ISO 13061-3;
b) details concerning sizes of the test pieces and test span;
c) sampling details in accordance with ISO 3129;
d) time to failure;
e) test results and their statistical values, calculated as specified in Clause 8;
f) moisture content and density of wood of each test piece measured in accordance with ISO 13061-1
and 13061-2, respectively;
g) method and value of the coefficient used for the adjustment of the test results to a 12 % moisture
content, if applicable;
h) mode of failure;
i) speed of testing;
j) direction of application of the load to the test piece (radial or tangential);
k) date when the test was carried out;
l) name of the organization which carried out the test.

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Bibliography

[1] ISO 3133:19751), Wood — Determination of ultimate strength in static bending

1) This International Standard is withdrawn.

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