Creep tests on notched beams of silver fir wood (Abies alba)

Silver fir is an important species in the wood french industry. Many works have been done to find new economic opportunities and to overcome the problems encountered in the use of this species. This paper presents the results of creep tests made on partially dried silver fir notched beams. The central deflection and the crack length are measured. The results show two types of creep evolution where neither the initial mechanical characteristics nor the crack propagation are to blame. The current hypothesis is sun exposure.