ASTM D143 covers the determination of strength and related properties of wood by testing small clear specimens. It describes procedures for evaluating mechanical and physical properties, with controls for specimen size, moisture content, temperature and rate of loading. Sampling is covered by ASTM D5536, and inch-pound units are the standard units.
ASTM lists three main uses for the data: comparing the mechanical properties of different species, establishing strength functions that, together with tests on structural-size timber to ASTM D198 and D4761, support allowable stresses, and assessing how factors such as density, growth locality, position in the cross section, height in the tree, seasoning, chemical treatment and the change from sapwood to heartwood affect mechanical properties.
The mechanical tests are run on a universal testing machine fitted with fixtures for each loading mode. Our grips and fixtures for wood testing support testing of small clear specimens to ASTM D143. If you need help matching ASTM D143 requirements to your parts or setup, contact our team.
