At the time specimens are cut matching samples for determi-
nation of moisture content and specific gravity in accordance
with 16.1 and 16.2 shall be obtained. When measurement of
knife checks is included as discussed in 16.3, a sample for this
measurement also may be cut at this time.
7. Loading
7.1 Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the specimen and suitable loading
plates and blocks for loading the knife edges of the plates. The
specimen shall be loaded by steel plates bonded to both faces
of the specimen with an adhesive sufficiently rigid to preclude
contribution of adhesive creep to measured deformation. Width
of plates shall be that of the specimen. One end of each plate
shall be provided with a knife edge projecting
1
⁄
4
in. (6 mm)
beyond the end of the specimen at one end and flush with the
surface glued to the specimen. The other end of the plate shall
be square and flush with the end of the specimen. Knife edges
of the two plates shall be at opposite ends of the specimen and
shall be oriented to load the specimen in the desired direction
in relation to the knife checks. Planar shear properties of
structural panels should be determined in both directions.
Plates for specimens 18 in. (457 mm) long shall be 1 in.
(25.4 mm) thick. The thickness of plates for shorter specimens
may be reduced proportionately. Loading of at least one
V-block shall provide for uniform load distribution along the
knife edge by loading through a pivot having its axis perpen-
dicular to the knife edge and centered along it. Pivots permit-
ting rotation about an axis parallel to the knife edge or
spherical seats free to pivot in this manner shall not be used as
they create unstable loading which may cause violent ejection
of the specimen from the machine and hazard to operating
personnel. The V-blocks shall be vertically positioned in the
machine, one above the other, causing the forces applied to the
specimen to act parallel to the axis of the machine. The
specimen itself will be slightly inclined when placed in the
machine. A means of holding the plates in an upright position
after the specimen has sheared apart is desirable as a complete
separation of the specimen permits the plates to be thrown out
of the machine with attendant hazard to the operator.
7.2 Load shall be applied continuously throughout the test at
constant rate of cross-head motion to normally produce failure
in the range of 3 min to 12 min elapsed time from beginning of
loading. For plywood, the approximate speed may be deter-
mined as follows:
N50.0075
~(
T
?
1R
(
T
'
!
(1)
where:
N= crosshead speed, in./min (mm/min),
∑T
|
= total thickness of plies having grain parallel to
direction of shear force, in. (mm),
R= 8 (assumed ratio of shear modulus of parallel plies to
shear modulus of perpendicular plies), and
∑T
'
= total thickness of plies having grain perpendicular to
the direction of shear force, in. (mm).
7.2.1 Elapsed time from beginning of load application to
failure of each specimen shall be measured and recorded to the
nearest half minute. Machine speeds calculated by the above
formula will normally produce failure in the range of 3 min to
12 min elapsed time from the beginning of loading. Should
elapsed time to failure fall greatly outside this range, machine
speed should be modified to obtain times within this range.
7.3 Both epoxy and polyvinyl adhesives have been found
satisfactory for bonding steel plates to specimens. Minimum
required surface preparation of steel plates consists of removal
of residual adhesive. This can be accomplished most easily by
mild heating of the plate and any portion of the specimen
remaining from the previous test in an oven which weakens the
bond to the steel sufficiently to permit peeling the remaining
wood and adhesive from the plate. The residual adhesive may
be scraped off with a sharp-edged tool. Further degreasing and
cleaning has frequently been found necessary in addition to the
above to ensure adequate bond strength. Curing the adhesive at
a slightly elevated temperature has also been helpful.
8. Measurement of Deformation
8.1 Slip between the steel plates during load application
shall be measured to at least the nearest 0.0001 in. (0.002 mm)
at no less than twelve and preferably more equally spaced
increments of load to proportional limit from which a load-
deformation curve shall be plotted. Slip can be measured with
a dial gauge as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 or with appropriate
automatic measuring and recording equipment. Gauge geom-
etry and position on the specimen shall be such as to minimize
any effects of unsymmetrical loading or deformation.
9. Calculation
9.1 Shear stress shall be calculated as follows:
f
v
5P⁄
~
L·W
!
(2)
where:
f
v
= shear stress, psi (N/mm
2
),
P= maximum or proportional limit load (force), lbf (N),
W= specimen width, in. (mm), and
L= specimen length, in. (mm).
Maximum shear stress obtained from specimens having final
failure of the bond between the plate and the specimen shall be
regarded as defective and shall be clearly indicated in the
report of results.
9.2 Effective modulus of rigidity for the specimen acting as
a unit shall be calculated as follows:
G5
~
P/∆
!
@
t/
~
L·W
!
#
(3)
where:
G= apparent modulus of rigidity for the entire specimen,
psi (N/mm
2
),
t= specimen thickness, in. (mm),
P/∆= slope of the force-deformation curve below propor-
tional limit load, lbf/in. (N/mm), and other notation is
as indicated in 9.1.
For plywood, modulus of rigidity of the cross plies may be
calculated from that given above if the ratio of moduli of
rigidity and thickness of the parallel and perpendicular plies is
known.
D2718 − 24
3