AS 1649:1998 pdf – Timber—Methods of test formechanical fasteners and connectors—Basic working loads and characteristic strengths

AS 1649:1998 pdf – Timber—Methods of test formechanical fasteners and connectors—Basic working loads and characteristic strengths.
1.7 CONDUCT OF TESTS
1.7.1 Apparatus The tests shall be carried out in a testing machine of B Class or better (see AS 2193) and of suitable capacity.
NOTE: It is desirable that joints to be tested in tension should have the opportunity for selfalignment, and apparatus used for holding or supporting the specimens should. if practicable, be designed with this in view. Similarly, the usc of a self-aligning head in the conduct of compression tests is preferred to one that is fixed.
1.7.2 Temperature Testing shall be carried out at a temperature of not less than 20°C.
NOTE: Where the effect of temperature on joint strength is being specifically inestigated lower temperatures may be appropriate.
1.7.3 Moisture content and density The moisture content and density of each specimen prepared shall be determined immediately after testing by the methods specified in ASNZS l00.l, using the oven dry method, and AS IOXO.3, respectively.
1.7.4 Specimens for establishing design properties Where design properties of fasteners in seasoned timber are required at least 10 joints for each test series shall be fabricated and tested using seasoned timber.
Where design properties of fasteners in unseasoned timber are required two sets each of at least 10 joints shall be fabricated for each test series using green timber, one for testing in the green condition (see Clause I .6.2) and one for testing after conditioning (see Clause 1 .6.3).
1.7.5 Time of testing Specimens shall be kept for at least 14 days after assembly and driving of any fasteners to allow for relaxation of joint materials.
Specimens shall be appropriately stored as specified in Clause 1.6 until testing.
1.8 TEST SPECIES FOR JOINT STRENGTH GROUPS For the purposes of establishing appropriate design loads for a fastener for a joint strength group provided for in AS 1720.1, the mean air-dry density of the timber selected to represent the joint group shall be at the bottom end of the range of density given in Table I (see also Clause 3.3.8).
NOTES:
1 Suitable species complying with this requirement are listed in Appendix A.
2 Species mean densities of most Australian and some imported species may be obtained by reference to CSIRO, Division of Forest Products, Technological Paper No. 13 (1961), Shrinkage and Density of Australian and Other Woods. by R,S.T. Kingston and U. June E. Risdon.
2.1.2 umher of test specimens Withdrawal tests shall be made on the number of specimens given in Clause I .7.4. One fastener in one face and another in an adjacent face may no be considered replicates for this purpose. Thus not fewer than 10 timber specimens at each moisture condition are required. The results of the two or more tests made on the side grain of each specimen shall be averaged and the average value considered as a single test value for the purpose of applying the calculation methods given in Appendix B. For establishing design values for end grain withdrawal the same number of specimens is required.