Wood-based panels - Determination of duration of load and creep factors

This European Standard specifies a method of determining in a constant climate both a duration of load factor and a creep factor for wood-based panels stressed in flatwise bending with and without a shear component. Details of an alternative but provisional method employing medium sized test pieces are given in Annex A; this method can also be used for test pieces loaded under varying climates. NOTE The duration of load factor is necessary to modify the characteristic strength values obtained in short-term structural tests in order to derive long-term values. The creep factor obtained in the test is used to predict a long-term deflection from the initial elastic deflection.