Abstract:
The variation of flexural strength of seven timber species mainly used for furniture industry in Sri Lanka was
studied. Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) were measured without finger joint and
with finger joint specimens of timber species. Finger joint technique is used to eliminate wood defects which
weaken the strength of sawn wood plank and used. This paper gives comparison study of finger jointed and un jointed seven wood species, tested under three point bending test. BS 373: 1957 and BS EN 15497:2014 were used
as standards for tests. Vertical finger joint orientation and 13 mm finger joint length were used in this study. The
tests for mechanical properties were performed by using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM 100 PC). The pa rameters were analyzed by using ANOVA and means were separated by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 0.05
significant levels in SAS. It was found that control (un-jointed solid wood) samples gave the highest flexural
strength than finger-jointed specimens and it was also observed that Kumbuk timber species was showed the
highest MOE in 13 mm finger-jointed specimens comparing control specimens. The highest flexural strength loss
percentage was obtained from Satin species. The MOE of finger-jointed Kumbuk was higher than clear Kumbuk
specimens and least strength loss percentage of MOR (46.08 %) was obtained from Mahogany species.
