Abstract
The fracture of commercial Hem-Fir boards in the LR and LT modes was studied, using both saturated and air-dry specimens. Notched samples were tested in flexure (third-point loading). It was found that the concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics could be applied, even when the crack extension was in a direction perpendicular to the initial notch. However, the physical interpretation of the apparent fracture toughness, [Formula: see text], remains unclear. It was also found that the apparent flexural stsrength increased as the size of the uncracked ligament decreased. Finally, the results indicated that both the nominal flexural strength and the fracture toughness were greater for the saturated specimens, probably due to an increase in viscoelastic behaviour at high moisture contents.
Published Version
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