---
title: "Physical and mechanical properties of wood"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:physical-mechanical-properties-wood"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/physical-mechanical-properties-wood
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Physical and mechanical properties of wood

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 7: Timber

- Asked in: 2066 Shrawan (old course), 4 marks
- Video: [Physical properties of wood ( part 1)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj32vT_tlOo) — Monisha vanya
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/physical-mechanical-properties-wood
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-7

## Question

List out different types of physical and mechanical properties of wood.

## Short answer

Physical properties include colour, density, moisture content, shrinkage, thermal, electrical, acoustic, durability, and workability. Mechanical properties include compressive, tensile, bending, shear strength, modulus of elasticity, hardness, toughness, and resistance to splitting and fatigue.

## Answer

#### Physical properties
1. Colour, smell and appearance (grain, figure, lustre).
2. Density and specific gravity.
3. Moisture content, hygroscopic nature (absorbs and loses moisture).
4. Shrinkage and swelling (dimensional change).
5. Thermal properties: conductivity, expansion and fire resistance.
6. Electrical and acoustic properties (insulating, sound absorption).
7. Durability: resistance to decay and insects.
8. Workability and finishing.

#### Mechanical properties
1. Compressive strength (parallel and perpendicular to the grain).
2. Tensile strength.
3. Bending strength (modulus of rupture).
4. Shear strength.
5. Modulus of elasticity (stiffness).
6. Hardness.
7. Toughness and impact strength (resilience).
8. Resistance to splitting, cleavage and fatigue; creep under long-term loads.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Hygroscopic nature means wood
   A. Absorbs and loses moisture
   B. Repels water
   C. Is magnetic
   D. Burns easily
   Answer: A. Moisture exchange. (Key point: Hygroscopic)

2. Which is a mechanical property?
   A. Colour
   B. Modulus of rupture
   C. Smell
   D. Lustre
   Answer: B. Bending strength. (Key point: Mechanical)

3. Which is a physical property?
   A. Shear strength
   B. Hardness
   C. Density and specific gravity
   D. Toughness
   Answer: C. Physical. (Key point: Physical)

4. Creep is deformation under
   A. Impact
   B. Heat only
   C. Moisture only
   D. Long-term loads
   Answer: D. Long-term. (Key point: Creep)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

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- [Important properties of civil engineering materials](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aimportant-properties-civil-materials) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 1, asked 8×

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