7.2.d. Shear Test

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is shear strength?

   Hint

   Think about how it relates to forces acting along the wood.

2. 2.

   Name one application of the shear test.

   Hint

   Consider the importance of safety.

3. 3.

   What does the Shear Test measure?

   • Tensile strength
   • Shear strength
   • Compression strength

   Hint

   Think about how forces act on a beam.

4. 4.

   Shear strength is most relevant for which type of structure?

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider structures that bear weight sideways.

5. 5.

   A wooden beam fails a shear test with a load of 500N applied over an area of 100cm². Calculate the shear strength.

   Hint

   Remember to convert area into meters squared.

6. 6.

   You observe that a particular type of wood has a shear strength of 30 MPa. If moisture increases, what might be the impact on the shear strength?

   Hint

   Think about how moisture can weaken materials.