Wood Laboratory
research infrastructure
About the Wood Lab:
Laboratory for testing the anatomical, physical, and mechanical properties of wood, wood joints, and wooden construction elements.
We test the mechanical properties of materials and construction elements. Contact us to discuss your projects.
Visiting adress: Kajaveien 2B, 1433 ÅsLab and Equipment
The laboratory is climate-controlled and maintains a climate of 65 % RH and 20 degrees C, so that the materials to be tested achieve the correct moisture content after conditioning.
The laboratory is equipped with a universal testing machine for mechanical testing - Zwick/Roell Z1200. The machine has two test areas, one at 1.2 MN and one at 250 kN. We also have a load cell of 10 kN, to achieve better accuracy on smaller loads. The machine can be easily programmed for custom tests. Strain gauges, DIC-system and other instruments can be connected to the machine. You can read more about the machine and our collaboration with the producer here.
The laboratory is equipped with fixtures for testing of many properties of small clear wood specimens and for flexural testing of structural timber. NMBU has a mechanical workshop that can make fixtures for custom test setups.
Equipment for deformation measurement:
- LaVision DIC system with two cameras. The system is used for 3D deformation measurements (normal and shear deformations, active and passive deformations) in connection with mechanical testing of materials and connections. The resolution is below 1 μm (depending on the measurement area)
- Heidenhain micrometers: one stationary with a 60 mm measuring range and 0.5 μm accuracy, one with 25 mm and four with 12 mm measuring range, all with 0.2 μm accuracy.
- Dimension gauges with larger measuring range, but poorer accuracy.
Other equipment:
The laboratory is also equipped with the following: two pendulum impact testers with several hammers (7.5 J, 15 J, 50 J 100 J, and 150 J), drying cabinets, weights, handheld equipment for strength grading of lumber by measuring dynamic modulus of elasticity (Brookhuis MTG), a chamber for off-gassing from materials (VOC, VVOC), microscopes, stereo magnifiers, and equipment for preparing microscopic samples.
The laboratory has a carpentry workshop for specimen preparation. It is equipped with band saw, table saw, jointer, thickness planer, router table, belt sander, lathe, and electric hand tools.
Fra NMBUs trelaboratorium. Universaltestemaskin for testing av ulike mekaniske egenskaper – Zwick/Roell Z1200. Photo: Roar Økseter Fields of Study and Projects
Wood is a renewable material that can replace construction materials with higher carbon emissions, thereby helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the construction sector. The research in the Wood Laboratory, covers the entire value chain from forestry and forest industry to the use and reuse of wood in buildings. The goal of the research is to increase the production of high-quality timber and to optimize and realize the benefits of sustainable constructions through reduced carbon footprint.
There is a great variation in the properties of timber, and knowledge about the variation is crucial for better utilization of resources. At NMBU, we study how different timber properties depend on climate and forest treatment, and how the choice of raw materials affects the properties and performance of wood-based products.
We also have a long tradition of research in wooden constructions. The research includes the characterization of mechanical performance of connections and components, design of wooden buildings under static and dynamic loads, assessment of existing wooden buildings, and retrofitting of historical and protected buildings.
The Wood Laboratory is part of NMBUtre, a common platform for the use of wood at NMBU. Read more about NMBUtre here.
Operation and Responsible Personnel
The Wood Laboratory is operated by the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA). The activities in the laboratory are primarily related to research and teaching in wood technology at MINA and construction technology and building physics at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK).
Bachelor's, master's, and PhD students, both at MINA and REALTEK, are active users of the laboratory. In addition, the laboratory is available for other internal and external users.
Contact
Everyday activities are coordinated by Roar Økseter.
