Flexural strength as length shrinks
Flexural strength as length shrinks
(OP)
I'm currently compiling a report on the strength of balsa woods planks under a three point test.
Thus far i've found that maximum load shrinks as length does, upto a point, beyond which max load increases. This doesn't fit with the proscribed flex. strength = 3FL/2bd^2 formula.
Is there any concurrent formula that can make allowance for this?
Thus far i've found that maximum load shrinks as length does, upto a point, beyond which max load increases. This doesn't fit with the proscribed flex. strength = 3FL/2bd^2 formula.
Is there any concurrent formula that can make allowance for this?






RE: Flexural strength as length shrinks
I think you are observing the natural variability of timber. We are a lot less certain about the strength of an individual piece of the timber than for steel say, which is why timber design uses greater safety factors.
I suggest you increase your sample size until the results follow logic.
RE: Flexural strength as length shrinks
RE: Flexural strength as length shrinks
A steel cable has virtually zero flexural strength. But, catenary action allows it to take relatively signficant transverse load. That's becasue a tension in the cable (combined with the deflection of the cable) allows it to resist the load.
I'm not saying that is what's happening for your balsa wood. I'm just point out one case where 2nd order effects cause the behavior to deviate substantially from classic beam theory.
RE: Flexural strength as length shrinks
RE: Flexural strength as length shrinks
RE: Flexural strength as length shrinks
It smells of student assignment.