Analysis of mode I fracture propagation in wood using high-resolution full-field measurements and imaging

Experimental characterization of wood fracture properties raises a number of challenges: crack tip location or the application of equivalent linear elastic fracture mechanics theory to a heterogeneous and anisotropic material. This article presents the application of the Localized Spectrum Analysis, a full-field measurement method, to obtain high-resolution strain maps for the analysis of three mode I crack propagation tests on TDCB silver fir wood specimens. The strain maps presented enabled us to identify annual rings through stiffness variations, to observe internal cracks through abnormal compression zones, and to determine the material’s resistance-curves, therefore its critical energy release rate. This work opens up interesting prospects for the use of new measurement methods in the characterization of wood fracture properties.