Work

Compression characteristics of birch wood over wide ranges of strain, strain-rate and temperature

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the material behaviour of birch wood ( Betula pendula ) under high strain- or loading-rates over a wide temperature range with a view to its use in structural- and crash-absorbing components in automotive applications. Birch wood was tested in the longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions under compression using a custom-made Split Hopkinson bar (SHB). Tests on the SHB covered strain rates from 380 s −1 to 1,020 s −1 . Results were compared with quasi-static tests at 0.0045 s −1 . Temperature levels considered ranged from -40 °C over +20 °C up to +80 °C. The study shows that wood exhibits a significant strain-rate dependent strength increase across all anatomical directions and temperatures tested. The compressive strength exhibited an increase between 19 % and 154 % from quasi-static to high dynamic strain rates (approximately 900 - 1,000 s −1 ), varying with direction and temperature. The highest strain-rate sensitivity occurred at +80 °C, the lowest at -40 °C. Energy absorption capacity also increased with strain-rate, indicating the potential for lightweight crash-absorbing components across a wide range of temperatures.

Source: Results in Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104942

Authors: Georg Baumann, Ulrich Müller, Reinhard Brandner, Florian Feist

Language: English

Topic: High-Velocity Impact and Material Behavior

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,940