Plywood Static Bending Strength Test

Find out what engineers mean by the words “strength and stiffness” and watch a bending test on a wooden joist.  We do lots of tests like this because we need to calibrate our non-destructive methods of measurement.

Wood is commonly tested for flexural strength. This video shows a 2 x 4 supported on each end by supports. A universal testing machine is used to apply force to the middle of the 2 x 4 until failure occurs. Load and position data are acquired and plotted. By taking the geometry of the 2 x 4 into account as …