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Wood is orthotropic - the strength is predominantly along one axis. Parallel to the grain, tensile is very high (pulling it) and compressive
strength good (a pier), but shear is low. Perpendicular to the grain the tensile is very low (splitting action) and compression moderate
(denting a floorboard), but shear is high (shearing a dowel pin). There is another type of shear (rolling shear) which is low. Some of these
properties are not normally measured because timber is rarely used in that situation today. For example, cross grain shear strength is so
high compared to parallel shear that it can only occur if the timber was deliberately shear loaded (dowel pin). Since we hardly ever use
timber as a structural fastener (apart from trivial furniture connections), cross grain shear is not normally measured.

For loads at a angle to the grain, the Hankinson formula gives the adjusted property values. Note that 45 degrees gives a value much less
than midway between the two values.

Hankinson's Formula

Consider a particular property such as

strength or stiffness. Assuming the property
measured along the grain (P) is different to
the cross grain value (Q).

Then, by Hankinson's formula, the value at an

angle to the grain is given by

Example. Strength of Douglas Fir

Parallel tensile strength = 87.6 MPa

Perpendicular tensile strength = 2 MPa

Angle Strength
0 87.6
5 66.10752
10 38.24362
15 22.65289
20 14.58384
25 10.13379
30 7.487179
35 5.808722
40 4.688521
45 3.910714

Similarly for elasticity, the MoE of wood perpendicular to grain is about 1/50 the value of MoE parallel to grain. Hankinson’s formula is:
(Ref 1)

where
El MoE parallel to grain (as given in Table 7.1 of AS1720.1)
Ep MoE perpendicular to grain (estimated as 1/50 to 1/30 El )

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Douglas Fir. Ultimate Properties (Failure)

Comp Comp Shear Shear Tension Tension

Density
MOR or MOE or Tension
Species Parallel Perp Parallel Perp Perp Perp Tangent
pcf,Ft(||) E Parallel Fp(||)
Fc (||) Fc(_|_) Fs(||) Fs(_|_) Fp(_|_) Fpt(_|_)
Units 12% MC psi k psi psi psi psi psi psi psi psi
12700 (4) 7430 (4)
Douglas 34 (4) 870 (4) 1160 (4) 290 (7)
12400 1950 (4) 7430 (9) 3190 (1) 340 (9) 11000 (13)
Fir 800 (4) 1130 (13) 290 (8)
(13) 7230 (13)

Douglas Fir. Coastal type. Allowable Properties (Working)

Comp Shear Tension Tension

MOR or Comp Perp Shear Perp
Species Density pcf, MOE or E Parallel Fc Parallel Parallel Perp
Ft(||) Fc(_|_) Fs(_|_)
(||) Fs(||) Ft(||) Ft(_|_)
Units 12% MC psi k psi psi psi psi psi psi psi
Douglas Fir 2000 (11) 1466 (11) 385 (11) 150 (11)
34
Coastal Type 1500 (12) 1150 (12) 625 (12) 85 (12)

References

Online
1. Perpendicular shear estimate (2.5 to 3 times parallel shear). Wood: Strength and Stiffness. p2. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts
/pdf2001/green01d.pdf
2. Hankinson's Formula (Elasticity) http://www.timber.org.au/NTEP/menu.asp?id=128
3. Hankinson's Formula (Stress) example http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/construction/Manuals/Falsework/Appendix_E.pdf
4. Wood: Strength and Stiffness. p2. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2001/green01d.pdf
5. Span tables Douglas Fir 1:360 deflection http://www.wwpa.org/techguide/spans.htm
6. Large round log connection using metal dowels (threaded) http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrp/fplrp586.pdf
7. Tensile strength perp to grain (Douglas Fir) http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-08132002-140200/unrestricted/AppendixF.pdf ,
http://www.rfyacht.com/yd/1524/dissertation/appendix/a5.htm
8. Properties of wood http://www.unb.ca/civil/thomas/22%20Properties%20of%20Wood.pdf
9. Wood
11: MCM 1 Ship Specifications, February 8, 1982 Section 100. (Source: http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-davis.htm)
12: Allowable Stress, Douglas Fir Select Structural (Standard no. 17, Grading Rules for West Coast Lumber, Table 11). (Source:
http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-davis.htm)
13: Failure Stress. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Handbook
72, 1987.
14. Free Structural Software. http://www.structural-engineering.fsnet.co.uk/free.htm

Books
1. Formulas for Stress and Strain. 5th ed: Raymond J Roark Warren C Young McGraw Hill 1975. Ch 13.3 Miscellaneous Cases p
526.
2. Design of Wood Structures ASD (4th Edition): D.E. Breyer, K.J. Fridley, K.E. Cobeen: McGraw-Hill 1999 ISBN: 0-07007716-9 950
pages. Comprehensive treatment and plenty of examples. Incorporates the 1997 National Design Specifications for Wood Construction
(NDS), and the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC). Also loading criteria and lateral forces (wind and earthquake) design.
3. APA Engineered Wood Handbook. T.G. Williamson (Editor), McGraw Hill 2002 ISBN 0-07-136029-8. Comprehensive coverage,
emphasis on modern materials and developments. Good section on construction.

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4. Mark's Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. (10th Ed) Avalline, Baumeister. (Editors) McGraw Hill 1996

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