The single cube apparatus for shear testing – Full-field strain data and finite element analysis of wood in transverse shear

The design and analysis of wood structures require accurate data for shear properties, where transverse shear in particular has been neglected in the past. The single cube apparatus (SCA) was applied to transverse shear of Norway spruce (Picea abies), due to the importance of this species in wood structures, such as glulam, and also its allegedly low value of GRT. Full-field strain data and FEA were used to analyze the potential of the method. The presence of a large central region of homogeneous and close to pure shear strain was confirmed. The SCA method is therefore a strong candidate for improved shear test procedures in wood and other materials, where porosity (gripping problems), heterogeneity on mm-scale and polar orthotropy (annual ring curvature) may cause particular difficulties. In contrast to many other shear test studies, the accuracy of the present GRT data is supported by documented large and homogeneous specimen stress- and strain-fields in almost pure shear, direct measurements of strain-field, and careful stress analysis based on FEA.