Mechanical properties of seven types of wood in Laos

Abstract

This study deals with the mechanical and physical properties of seven types of wood in Laos. These woods are naturally-grown tree which grow in the middle part of the country. Seven types of woods are selected and classified into two groups: hardwoods and softwoods; hardwoods are May Deng, May Tai, May Dou, and May Khen Hine whereas softwoods are May Nhang, May Khen Heua, and May Khe Foy. In this project, the focus is on test to determine the various strengths as well as modulus of elasticity and weight density, and specific gravity according to ASTM standard D143. Eight tests were performed in this study such as tension parallel and perpendicular to grain, compression parallel and perpendicular to grain, shear parallel to grain, hardness, static bending and specific gravity. Finally, the test results have compared the strength values obtained in this study with some popular woods in US such as Locus(western), Hickory(pecan), Maple(sugar), Oak(swamp white), Larch(western), Douglas fir(coast), and Pine(longleaf). The results found that some wood strengths obtained in the present experiment and some wood strengths in USA are identical and some slight differences.