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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)