A testing device for the mechanical characterization of wood beams or plates under bending compression

A bending-compression device has been designed with the help of the ABAQUS/ Standard finite element code for studying the mechanical behavior of struct ural elements under complex loading. A description of the device and its pr inciple are presented. Samples are instrumented with the aim of a better co mprehension of the damage mechanisms up to rupture. Current strain on the m iddle of the upper and lower faces and acoustic emission (AE) signals is co llected. A coupled analysis of the mechanical and physical responses are ma de related to visual observations. Results are illustrated in the case of s pruce beams loaded under bending up to rupture with the bending moment alon g the direction perpendicular to the annual rings.