In-plane shear properties of medium-density fibreboard measured by asymmetric four-point bending of a notched specimen

In this research, asymmetric four-point bending (AFPB) tests were used to obtain the in-plane shear (IPS) properties of medium-density fibreboard (MDF). Circular notches were cut on the top and bottom surfaces of rectangular MDF bars with variable distances between the notch roots. Both tab-free and tabbed specimens were prepared from these bars. The AFPB tests were conducted using these specimens, and three IPS properties, that is, the shear modulus, proportional limit stress, and stress at failure, were measured. When using tabs, the IPS properties could be obtained for a wide range of the notch root distances, although the failure initiated at the notch roots led to the catastrophic failure.