SIZE EFFECT ON BENDING STRENGHT IN SAWN TIMBER OF ARGENTINEAN Populus deltoides

The present paper reports the results of an investigation regarding the study of size effects on bending strength in sawn timber of Argentinean Populus deltoides 'Australian 129/60' and 'Stoneville 67'. An empirical research project with 5 samples containing a total of 820 specimens in usual structural sizes was carried out according to European standards. Results showed that strength decreases when depth increases but no clear influence of either the timber quality or the specimen thickness on size effects was found. The analysis evidenced that the European criterion -adopted by Argentinean standards- is suitable for considering the influence of depth on bending strength in the investigated species.