ABSTRACT

 It is critical to test the mechanical properties ofwood to ensure that the finished product meets or exceeds consumer expectations or construction standards. Mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, and density can have an impact on a wood product's overall performance. Only a few studies have been conducted in Nigeria to evaluate various types of timber for various applications. The mechanical properties offour native wood species in Umuahia Abia State were examined. Wood material ofAlstonia congensis, Ceibapetandra, Militia excelsa, and Terminalia superba were sampled in Umuahia and their mechanical properties examined at Ilorin's National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM). The wood samples were milled and trimmed to standard sizes of20 mm x 20 mm x 280 mm for the modulus ofrupture test and 20 mm x 20 mm x 60 mm for testing compression parallel to the grain. There were four samples of each species used. The mechanical properties modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus ofelasticity (MOE) and compression parallel to grain were tested using the Universal Testing Machine, with machine no: 0500-10080. The samples were subjected to a three-point bending test. The force at the point of failure, MOR and MOE were calculated. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mechanical properties ofthe sample species oftimber. There were significant variations in the mechanical properties ofthe wood samples from the selected indigenous timber species. Terminalia superba had the highest MOR, MOE, and compression parallel to grain (94.185N/mm2, 9490.260N/mm2, and 46.588N/mm2, respectively), followed by Militia excelsa (85.444N/mm2 MOR, 9429.098N/mm2 MOE, and 40.588N/mm2 compressive strength), and Alstonia congensis (54.705N/mm2 MOR, 6318.532N/mm2 MOE, and 21,375N/mm2 compression parallel to the grain). Ceibapetandra produced the least MOR 29.453N/mm2, MOE 3553.185N/mm2, and compression parallel to grain 12.224N/mm2. The study provides quantitative estimates ofthe mechanical properties oftypical wood species used for furniture production and other constructions. Through aforestation projects, more seeds should be planted ofspecies like Terminalia superba, which showed the highest load-carrying capacity and thusjustified its use in heavy construction. For furniture applications, species with the highest bending and compressive strengths, like Alstonia congensis, should be used for long-lasting results.