SMALL CLEAR SPECIMEN STRENGTH TESTING ON OIL PALM TRUNK

摘要

This paper reports on the work conducted to investigate the suitability of oil palm trunk for structural and housing applications. The method adopted was to determine the strength characteristics of the trunk using small clear specimens test. Compression parallel to the grain test, 3 point bending test and shear parallel to grain test were carried out to determine the relationship between the physical properties and their mechanical characteristics. Results indicate that in general the strength of oil palm trunk is rather low. However it was noted that reasonably strong trunk could be obtained with correct sampling, cutting and grading as well as drying.