Holz Roh Werkst (2008) 66: 201–205
DOI 10.1007/s00107-007-0215-3
ORIGINALARBEITEN · ORIGINALS
Creep in beams of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis
loaded in unseasoned state
E. A. Torrán · M. A. Sosa Zitto · A. A. Gonzalez · J. C. Piter
Published online: 30 November 2007
© Springer-Verlag 2007
Abstract This paper reports the results of an investigation of
creep in beams of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis loaded in
unseasoned state and allowed to dry under load. An empiri-
cal research project with a sample containing 15 structural-
sized beams subjected to long-term loading was carried
out. The results allow to compare the creep behaviour of
these beams with previous data reported for structural-sized
beams of this timber species loaded in dry condition and
also with those reported for other species. The effectiveness
of the criteria adopted by standards of overseas and Latin-
American countries for calculating the creep deflections in
unseasoned beams of this timber species under a long-term
loading is analysed.
Kriechen von Biegeträgern aus in feuchtem Zustand
belasteten argentinischem Eucalyptus grandis
Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag fasst die Ergebnisse ei-
ner Studie zusammen, in der das Kriechen von Biegeträgern
aus Eucalyptus grandis aus Argentinien untersucht wurde.
Die Untersuchung umfasste 15 Biegeträger in Bauholzab-
messungen, die in feuchtem Zustand belastet wurden und
im belasteten Zustand trockneten. Das Kriechverhalten die-
ser Biegeträger wird mit dem Kriechverhalten von Bie-
geträgern der gleichen Holzart, die in trockenem Zustand
belastet wurden sowie mit dem Kriechverhalten anderer
Holzarten verglichen. Es wird untersucht, ob die Regeln in
überseeischen und lateinamerikanischen Normen zur Be-
E. A. Torrán · M. A. Sosa Zitto · A. A. Gonzalez · J. C. Piter (u)
Depto. de Ing. Civil, Facultad Regional Concepción del Uruguay,
Universidad Tecnológica Nacional,
Calle Ing. Pereira 676,
E3264BTD Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rı́os, Argentina
e-mail: piterj@frcu.utn.edu.ar
rechnung des Kriechverhaltens von in feuchtem Zustand
belasteten Biegeträgern dieser Holzart geeignet sind.
Introduction
Eucalyptus grandis is one of the most important renew-
able species cultivated in Argentina (Instituto Nacional de
Tecnologı́a Agropecuaria 1995) and it is used in both mois-
ture states (i.e. seasoned and unseasoned) for structural pur-
poses. Up to the present, no research regarding the creep
behaviour of unseasoned beams of Argentinean Eucalyptus
grandis in structural sizes has been carried out, whereas re-
sults of two tests aimed at studying this property in seasoned
beams of this timber species were published (Piter et al.
2006, 2007). A similar creep behaviour for different qual-
ities of this timber species was also reported by these two
papers which is in line with the criterion adopted by Euro-
pean standards and the German standard DIN 1052 (2004).
Consequently, the strength and stiffness reducing features
which have influence on the instantaneous elastic deflection
(Piter et al. 2004) may be disregarded as creep-influencing
parameters.
Elastic and creep behaviour is one of the most important
mechanical properties of wood for many structural appli-
cations and serviceability requirements related to deflec-
tions are often decisive for the cross-sectional dimensions
in the case of beams subjected to bending under a long-
term or permanent load (Thelandersson 1995, Hunt 1999).
Viscoelastic and mechano-sorptive creep, which are con-
sidered to be additive components of creep, are mainly in-
fluenced by time and moisture changes, respectively, and
special attention must be put on solid timber installed at
or near fibre-saturation point and which will dry out under
load (Andriamitantsoa 1995, DIN 1052 2004). Stress levels
greater than 35% of the short-term strength can also affect
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the creep rate, but these values are commonly not reached in
normal structures and, consequently, stress level can be ig-
nored as creep-influencing parameter for practical purposes
(Andriamitantsoa 1995). Values obtained from structural-
size tests carried out in similar conditions of stress level
and span-to-depth ratio to those normally adopted in actual
structures are very important for practical purposes and for
design rules (Ranta-Maunus 1995).
According to the criteria of many design rules, a linear re-
lation between the total deformation and the instantaneous
one is assumed. The quality and the size of the sawn tim-
ber are considered in the calculation of the instantaneous
deflection and creep is calculated by multiplying the instan-
taneous elastic deformation by a factor, which considers the
combined effect of moisture content and load duration (DIN
1052 2004, NCh 1198 1999, NDS 2001, NZS 3603 1993).
The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the re-
sults of an investigation regarding the creep behaviour of
unseasoned beams of fast-growth Argentinean Eucalyptus
grandis in structural sizes loaded for one year in indoor
climate. Furthermore, to compare these results with those
found in previous investigations and with the prescriptions
given in different standards of overseas as well as Latin-
American countries.
Material and methods
One test sample containing 15 structural-sized beams with
a nominal size of 50 mm × 100 mm × 3000 mm was utilised.
The specimens were randomly selected from a 15 year old
plantation of Eucalyptus grandis grown in Concordia, Entre
Rı́os. This is one of the main provenances for this species in
Argentina (Instituto Nacional de Tecnologı́a Agropecuaria
1995). After preparation in a sawmill the material was trans-
ported to the laboratory.
Prior to testing, the moisture content was determined ac-
cording to ISO 3130 (1975) using a clear full cross-section
taken from one end of each beam. The unseasoned beams
were placed symmetrically on two supports and loaded at
the centre of the span with a constant load. All specimens
were tested indoors and in the same room for 1 year. The
span length (l) ranged between 2605 mm and 2800 mm. In
order to obtain values for the maximum long-term stress at
the centre of the span (σm,long-term ) similar to those normally
adopted for beams of this timber species, concentrated-
load values ranging between 0.817 kN and 0.836 kN were
applied. Instantaneous elastic deformation (u inst ) was reg-
istered after loading at the centre of the span and at the
centre of the tension zone. Deflections (u) were measured
periodically during 1 year and creep (u creep ) was calcu-
lated as the difference between u and u inst . Extensome-
ters with a resolution of 0.01 mm were used for measuring
deformations.
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Holz Roh Werkst (2008) 66: 201–205
After unloading, actual dimensions of the cross-section
were measured for each test piece up to an accuracy
of 1% and the maximum stress at the centre of the span
(σm,long-term ) was calculated by applying the standard solu-
tion. Moisture content and density were determined accord-
ing to ISO 3130 (1975) and ISO 3131 (1975), respectively,
using a clear full cross-section taken from each beam.
Results and discussion
Moisture content of the whole sample at the beginning of
the test ranged between 37% and 71% with a mean value
of 51%, which confirms that all beams presented moisture
content above fibre-saturation point when they were loaded.
After unloading, 1 year later, moisture content exhibited
a mean value of 12% with a coefficient of variation (COV)
of 21%. These results confirm that the 15 beams dried dur-
ing the test. The mean value for density, obtained after un-
loading with the above mentioned moisture content, was
569 kg/m3 with a COV of 21% which is congruent with ear-
lier results reported for this timber species (Piter et al. 2004).
The final sizes of the beam cross-section presented mean
values of 48.3 mm in width and 99.9 mm in depth and the
span-to-depth ratio ranged between 25 and 33 with a mean
value of 27.
Stress values corresponding to the 15 beams subjected to
long-term loading (σm,long-term ) are shown in Table 1 and they
are similar to those normally adopted for this species in struc-
tural design. Results of a previous investigation with beams
of the same timber species presenting equal cross-section di-
mensions to the present ones showed minimum, mean and
maximum strength values for the instantaneous bending re-
sistance of 21.6 N/mm2, 43.9 N/mm2 and 65.2 N/mm2, re-
spectively (Piter et al. 2004). Taking into account the rela-
tively low ratio between σm,long-term and the instantaneous re-
sistance of the species (i.e. the stress level), which is a param-
eter normally influencing creep in wood, it may be assumed
that creep remained within a stable phase in the present re-
search (Andriamitantsoa 1995). The ratio between the span
length and the instantaneous deflection (l/u inst ) is also pre-
sented in Table 1 and the obtained values are congruent with
those normally adopted for structural design.
Table 2 summarises the main results for the instantaneous
as well as for the 1 year deflections of the test sample. After
Table 1 Main results for stress and for the ratio between span length
and instantaneous deflection. (1) Standard deviation; (2) Coefficient of
variation
Tabelle 1 Aufgebrachte Spannung und Verhältnis Spannweite zu An-
fangsdurchbiegung. (1) Standardabweichung; (2) Variationskoeffizient
Min Mean Max S(1) COV(2) (%)
σm,long-term (N/mm2 ) 6.0 6.9 10.6 1.2 17
l/u inst 367 452 552 59 13
Holz Roh Werkst (2008) 66: 201–205 203

Table 2 Main results for the instantaneous and one-year deflections tion multiplied by the creep factor kdef , which quantifies the
Tabelle 2 Durchbiegungen am Beginn der Belastung und nach einem combined effect of moisture content (service class) and load
Jahr
duration. Therefore, it can be written: u = u inst + u inst kdef
Min Mean Max S COV (%)
and 1 + kdef = (u/u inst ) where the creep factor represents
u inst (mm) 4.8 6.0 7.5 0.8 13
u creep,1 year (mm) 5.0 11.8 24.5 4.7 39
the relative creep: kdef = (u/u inst ) − 1. Results for the rela-
u 1 year (mm) 10.0 17.8 32.0 5.1 29 tive creep according to this criterion, obtained from tests
carried out with different timber species, service classes
and load durations, were reported. Ranta-Maunus (1995)
the 1-year test, creep shows a mean value which amounts reported values of 1.0 and 2.0 for the relative creep corres-
to almost twice (11.8/6.0 = 1.97) the mean value of the in- ponding to glulam exposed to rain after 1-year and 5-year
stantaneous elastic deflection. As it was mentioned before, of loading, respectively. These values for the relative creep
results of two tests belonging to a research project regard- imply that u/u inst reached 2.0 and 3.0 for the two periods of
ing the creep behaviour of structural-sized beams of Argen- time mentioned before, and, consequently, the mean value
tinean Eucalyptus grandis loaded in dry condition were re- found in the present research after 1 year (2.96) is similar
ported previously. Piter et al. (2006) reported that u creep /u inst to that reported in the above mentioned paper after 5-year
reached 0.48 in a 1-year test involving 16 seasoned beams loading. Andriamitantsoa (1995) informed a value slightly
tested with a similar arrangement to that adopted in the higher than 3.0 for u/u inst , obtained in a test with unsea-
present research with the exception of stress level and the soned beams of Alpine ash which were dried to 12% mois-
span to depth ratio. Piter et al. (2007) reported a value of ture content during a 1-month test.
0.86 for u creep /u inst obtained in a 470-days test with 15 Figure 1 shows the relative deflection (u/u inst ) as a func-
seasoned beams loaded with exactly the same arrangement tion of time obtained in the present research. In line with
as that adopted in the present research. The large differ- other reports (Andriamitantsoa 1995, Calvo et al. 2002, Piter
ence found for u creep /u inst between the final results of this et al. 2006, 2007), a relatively rapid increase of u/u inst at the
research and those previously reported may be explained beginning of the test was found. The creep rate goes on with
by the influence of variable moisture content under stress a moderate slope up to approximately 180 days and a range
(Andriamitantsoa 1995). In the present research, moisture approaching stabilization begins after this period of time
content decreased from a mean value of 51% at the be- and lasts until the end of the test. The mean values of u/u inst
ginning of the test to a mean value of 12% at the end of reported by Piter et al. (2006, 2007) for seasoned beams
the test as was mentioned above. No important differences of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis are significantly lower
were found between the values of COV corresponding to the than those obtained in the present test and they were also
present research and those reported in the above mentioned included in Fig. 1 for better comparison of the important dif-
papers. ference found between them. This important difference may
The main results for the relative deflections (u/u inst ) cor- be explained by the influence of variable moisture content
responding to the following three periods of time after load- under loading which happened in the present test, as was
ing are presented in Table 3 (1 week, 6 months, and 1 year). mentioned before.
In line with the European standards and Eurocode 5, the With the purpose of checking the creep values obtained
new German standard DIN 1052 (2004) considers that the in this research with those adopted by different design rules,
limit between short-term and medium-term load-duration the results presented in Table 3 and in Fig. 1 were compared
classes is 1 week, the limit between medium-term and long- with criteria established in overseas and Latin-American
term load-duration classes is 6 months and the limit between standards. According to the New Zealand standard NZS
long-term and permanent load-duration classes is 10 years. 3603 (1993), allowance for creep effects on deflection shall
This standard assumes a linear relation between u and u inst be made by multiplying the calculated elastic deflection by
and considers that the creep part of deformation produced the value of 3.0 when moisture content at time of loading is
by a permanent load is equal to the instantaneous deflec- higher than 25% and load duration is equal to or greater than
12 months. The Chilean standard NCh 1198 (1999) consid-
ers that creep must be taken into account when the perma-
Table 3 Main results for relative deflections (u/u inst ) corresponding
to different periods of time after loading nent load is greater than 50% of the total load and it estab-
Tabelle 3 Relative Durchbiegungen (u/u inst ) zu verschiedenen Zei- lishes that the final deflection of a piece subjected to bending
ten nach der Belastung may be obtained as δtot = δe (1 + ρ), where δe is the instan-
Time Min Mean Max S COV (%) taneous elastic deflection and ρ is a creep factor depending
1 week 1.25 1.58 1.89 0.19 12 on both the moisture content and the ratio of permanent to
6 months 2.00 2.89 4.27 0.64 22 whole load. The ratio δtot /δe calculated for these 15 beams
1 year 2.00 2.96 4.27 0.63 21 according to this standard reaches a value of 3.0. This value

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204 Holz Roh Werkst (2008) 66: 201–205

Fig. 1 Relative deflections (u/u inst ) as a function of time. (•): Mean values corresponding to the 15 unseasoned beams tested in the present
research; (×): Mean values previously reported for 16 beams of Eucalyptus grandis tested in dry condition with a similar arrangement to that
adopted in the present research (Piter et al. 2006); (+): Mean values previously reported for 15 beams of Eucalyptus grandis tested in dry
condition with exactly the same arrangement as that adopted in the present research (Piter et al. 2007)
Abb. 1 Relative Durchbiegungen (u/u inst ) in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit. (•): Mittelwerte für die 15 Biegeträger dieser Untersuchung; (×):
Mittelwerte für 16 Biegeträger aus Eucalyptus grandis, die in getrocknetem Zustand und mit ähnlicher Versuchsanordnung wie die in dieser
Untersuchung belastet wurden (Piter et al. 2006); (+): Mittelwerte für 15 Biegeträger aus Eucalyptus grandis, die in getrocknetem Zustand und
mit gleicher Prüfanordnung wie die in dieser Untersuchung belastet wurden (Piter et al. 2007)

is coincident with that recommended by the New Zealand
standard and it is only slightly higher than that of 2.96 found
for u/u inst in the present research after 1 year. The American
standard NDS (2001) establishes that the total deflection of
an unseasoned beam subjected to long-term loading may be
calculated by multiplying the instantaneous elastic deflec-
tion by the factor of 2.0, which is significantly lower than
that of 2.96 obtained in the present research. Nevertheless,
when comparing the values recommended by design rules
with experimental creep results it is necessary to take into
account that actual structures are not heavily loaded for most
of the time (Ranta-Maunus 1995). However, a more appro-
priate comparison between the values calculated by means
of the above mentioned design rules and the results of the
present research could be carried out by continuing the test
at least for up to 10 years.
It is also interesting to observe that after 1 year load-
ing the difference between the mean value of u/u inst ob-
tained in this research and the mean value of u/u inst reported
for 15 air-dried beams of the same timber species (Piter
et al. 2007), which were tested with exactly the same ar-
rangement as that adopted in the present research, reaches
approximately 1.0 (see Fig. 1). This difference, which may
be explained by the influence of variable moisture content
under stress happening in this test, is congruent with the de-
sign rules adopted by many standards. This difference is also
equal to 1.0 when it is calculated by applying the design
rules established in both the Chilean standard NCh 1198
(1999) and the New Zealand standard NZS 3603 (1993).
However, a difference of 0.5 is found between the same ra-
tios by applying the criterion of the American standard NDS
(2001). In line with both the Chilean and the New Zealand
standards and also with the European standards, the German
standard DIN 1052 (2004) establishes that the value of the
creep factor (kdef ) should be increased by 1.0 for solid tim-
ber which is installed at or near fibre-saturation point, and
which is likely to dry out under load. Consequently, the de-
sign rules adopted by these three standards are suitable for
explaining the difference found between the creep behaviour
of unseasoned and seasoned beams of this timber species for
practical purposes.
In order to analyse the particular behavior of each beam,
the relative deflections (u/u inst ) for the 15 pieces are pre-
sented separately in Fig. 2. The COV values presented in
Table 3 show a strong increase at the beginning of the test
and a final stabilization after 6 months and till the end of the
test. This behaviour of the sample may be clearly appreci-
ated in Fig. 2 where the values of u/u inst range between 2.0
and 4.27 for the last 6 months (see also Table 3). A simi-
lar behavior was reported by Piter et al. (2006, 2007) for the
two samples of structural-sized beams of Argentinean Euca-
lyptus grandis loaded in dry condition, which were already
mentioned above. In Fig. 2, it is also possible to appreci-
ate that two beams exhibit the highest values for u/u inst
during an extended period of time and these values are sig-
nificantly higher than those shown by the other 13 beams
after 6 months and till the end of the test. Another beam
presents the lowest values for u/u inst during the whole test.

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Holz Roh Werkst (2008) 66: 201–205
Fig. 2 Relative deflections (u/u inst ) as a function of time for the 15 beams
Abb. 2 Relative Durchbiegungen (u/u inst ) in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit für die 15 Biegeträger
No special reason for the particular behavior of these beams
could be found by means of a detailed analysis.
1 Conclusions
Creep in beams of fast-growth Argentinean Eucalyptus
grandis loaded in unseasoned state was analysed. Usual
structural conditions were reproduced during the 1-year test,
which was carried out with 15 pieces. Results showed a rate
of creep significantly higher than other results published for
structural-sized beams of the same timber species loaded in
dry condition. For practical purposes, the mean value ob-
tained in this research for the relative deflections (u/u inst )
after 1-year loading is equal to that calculated by applying
the design rules adopted by the New Zealand standard NZS
3603 (1993) and the Chilean standard NCh 1198 (1999)
but it is significantly higher than that obtained by means of
the procedures of the American standard NDS (2001). Nev-
ertheless, a more adequate comparison between the values
calculated by means of the above mentioned design rules
and the results of the present research could be carried out
by continuing the test at least for up to 10 years. A de-
tailed analysis did not allow to find any special parameter
influencing the creep behaviour of each beam.
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