A Weibull Analysis of Wood Member Bending Strength

Abstract

The analysis of size effect on bending strength of rectangular wood beams based on Weibull’s theory of brittle failure has been expanded here to include tapered wood beams under arbitrary loading conditions. The mathematical formulations are expressed in terms of the two parameters in Weibull’s model. These parameters must be determined experimentally for each wood species. Numerical data for Douglas-fir beams are presented in graph form, where necessary, for easy application by the design engineer. Design procedures are demonstrated by numerical examples.