Determination of Poisson's ratio for particleboard in pure bending

The present study is part of a larger project called 'The measurement and m odeling of the effects of concentrated loads on particleboard floor decking ' (Moarcas, 1999). The aim df this work is to determine Poisson's ratio of C4(M) particleboard when subjected to four point bending (pure bending). Tw o 'bridge gauges' with a gauge length of 38 mm, were fixed to the specimens so that they were positioned centrally between the loading heads. The spec imens were tested twice. The first test measured Poisson's ratio on the ten sion surface, and then the specimens were flipped; over and the test repeat ed so as to measure Poisson's ratio on the compression face. The two bridge gauges were orientated so as to measure strain in the principal directions of the particleboard samples. The average results indicate a value of 0.2 for Poisson's ratio.