Mechanical Testing, Nondestructive Testing and Microscopy

Wood Science Consulting houses a state of the art Tinius Olsen bench-top test machine, an Olympus light microscope with digital imaging, and a Resistograph for nondestructive testing. All applicable industry standards are followed for mechanical testing, the determination of design values and for the inspection of wood and wood base materials.

Exemplar standards that are commonly used by Wood Science Consulting are as follows:

• ASTM D143 Standard Test Method for Small Clear Specimens of Timber (i.e., bending, compression, janka hardness, shear, etc.)
• ASTM D245 Standard Practice for Establishing Structural Grades and Related Allowable Properties for Visually Graded Lumber
• ASTM D1037 Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Materials
• ASTM D2395 Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• ASTM D2555 Standard Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Values
• ASTM D2899 Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Stresses for Round Timber Piles
• ASTM D2915 Standard Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Structural Wood and Wood-Based Products
• ASTM D4442 Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
• ASTM D4444 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Stabilization and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
• ASTM D2559 Standard Specification for Adhesives for Bonded Structural Wood Products for Use Under Exterior Exposure Conditions
• IICL TB 001 Performance Standard for New and Unused Structural Container Floor Panels to be Installed in International Freight Containers
• APA Voluntary Product Standard PS1-09
• APA Voluntary Product Standard PS2-10 

Resistance Drilling (Nondestructive testing)

For non-destructive testing of lumber, timbers, glulam beams and arches, piles and poles, Wood Science Consulting uses a Resistograph, or resistance drill, which is a very effective nondestructive tool for assessing the condition of wooden timbers. The PD Series, is equipped with computer software, excellent graphical imaging, and increased efficiency in drilling time. Common structures inspected include; old mill buildings, covered bridges, historical structures, utility poles, marine pilings and foundation pilings, as well as the inspection of wooden members in parks and challenge courses.  

Light and Stereo Microscopy

Wood Science Consulting has an Olympus light microscope with magnification up to 400X which is used for wood species identifications and wood decay or microbiological analyses. Photomicrographs are recorded digitally for high quality graphics and are annotated as needed for reporting. Additionally, WSC utilizes a stereo microscope for close examination of products not requiring high level magnification such as finishes and coatings.