HOW WOOD FAILS UNDER STRESS

Wood as a natural composite material is not only unique in its intricate design but also superior to anything even attempted by the most advanced materials science. Although striking similarities exist between Nature's own composite and those produced synthetically by combining reinforcing fibres with a matrix of high polymers or similar materials, the composite structure of wood is exceedingly complicated compared with the simple structure of, for example, carbon fibres embedded in a synthetic resin. Wood is totally unique in being a sort of dual composite, the one being part of and incorporated into the other. The order of magnitude of the one composite system is microscopic, while its components consist of composites on a submicroscopic level with a complex composite ultrastructure.

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• Authors:
  • Borgin, K
• Publication Date: 1974-11-24

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 556-560
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 64
  • Issue Number: 294
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Dynamic loads; Structural analysis; Wood products
• Subject Areas: Materials; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080111
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: New Scientist
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1975 12:00AM