ISO 8970-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 8970:2020 — Timber structures — Testing of joints made with mechanical fasteners — Requirements for timber density. This international standard specifies a density‑based method for selecting timber pieces used when determining strength and stiffness properties of joints made with mechanical fasteners; it is intended to be used together with the relevant test standard that defines the test method.

Abstract

This document specifies a method, based on timber density, for selecting specimens used to determine strength and stiffness properties of connections between members of structural timber made with mechanical fasteners. It assumes pieces are conditioned to relevant moisture/temperature conditions, assumes (and asks users to report) a normally distributed density, and highlights that density is only one of several properties that can influence joint strength (for example growth‑ring orientation, toughness and hardness).

General information

• Status: Published (international standard; confirmed at systematic review).
• Publication date: 16 March 2020 (ISO publication, Edition 3 — 2020-03).
• Publisher: ISO — International Organization for Standardization.
• ICS / categories: 91.080.20 (Timber structures).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2020).
• Number of pages: 9.

Core bibliographic and lifecycle details as published by ISO. This edition was published in March 2020 and was confirmed at review (status shown on the ISO catalogue).

Scope

Applies to specimens of structural timber used in laboratory tests of joints made with mechanical fasteners. The standard gives a method, based on measured density, for selecting pieces of wood for strength and stiffness testing of such joints; it is intended to be used in conjunction with the specific test method standard that defines specimen geometry, test setup and loading. It is not a general guide to all properties affecting joint behaviour and is limited to structural timber specimens.

Key topics and requirements

• Density‑based selection procedure for timber test specimens used in mechanical‑fastener joint testing.
• Conditioning of timber to relevant moisture and temperature before density measurement and testing.
• Assumption and reporting of statistical distribution (normality) of density values for selected pieces.
• Statement that density is one of several influencing properties (growth‑ring orientation, toughness, hardness) and should be considered alongside other relevant characteristics.
• Intended to be used in combination with the relevant joint test standard that defines test details (geometry, fixtures, loading rates, etc.).

Typical use and users

Testing laboratories, structural timber researchers, manufacturers of timber connectors and fasteners, timber design engineers, and national standards bodies use ISO 8970:2020 to ensure consistent selection of timber specimens by density when performing comparative tests of mechanical‑fastener joints. It is applied where reproducible, statistically defensible specimen selection is required for strength and stiffness testing.

Related standards

ISO 8970:2020 replaces ISO 8970:2010 (withdrawn) and is part of the family of ISO and regional standards covering timber structures and test methods developed under ISO/TC 165. Regional/adopted versions exist (for example EN/BS adoptions of ISO 8970:2020). For the withdrawn previous edition see ISO 8970:2010; for national/adopted EN/BS versions see the corresponding EN/BS listings.

Keywords

timber density; wood density; mechanical fasteners; joints testing; structural timber; specimen selection; ISO/TC 165; strength testing; stiffness testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8970:2020 is an international standard that defines a density‑based method for selecting timber pieces used in laboratory testing of joints made with mechanical fasteners.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the procedure for measuring and using timber density to select specimens for strength and stiffness tests of mechanical‑fastener joints; conditioning of specimens and statistical considerations (density distribution and reporting) are included. It does not replace the specific test method standard that defines test geometry and loading.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Testing laboratories, structural timber researchers, connector/fastener manufacturers, design engineers and standards organizations use it to standardize specimen selection by density for comparative joint testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition (Edition 3) was published in March 2020 and is the current ISO edition; the 2010 edition was withdrawn and superseded by ISO 8970:2020. The ISO catalogue shows the publication and confirmation lifecycle for the standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the body of ISO standards and test methods for timber structures managed by ISO/TC 165; related test standards specify the test methods that ISO 8970:2020 is intended to accompany.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Timber density, wood density, mechanical fasteners, joints testing, structural timber, specimen selection.