Comments on “Discussion of: “Mode II fracture mechanics properties of wood measured by the asymmetric four-point bending test using a single-edge-notched specimen of Hiroshi Yoshihara Engng. Fract. Mech. 75 (2008) 4727–4739” by van der Put [Engng. Fract.

In a previous discussion presented in this journal [1], van der Put demonstrated the validity of his “new theory” and inapplicability of the conventional theory for describing the fracture mechanics properties of orthotropic material developed by Sih et al. [2] by referring to the experimental results of an asymmetric four-point test obtained by the author [3]; note that the author was not reluctant to refer to his experimental results to verify the validity of the “new theory”. In response, this letter describes the experimental and numerical examination of the “new theory” proposed by van der Put. This examination indicates that the “new theory” is not applicable for describing the fracture mechanics properties of orthotropic materials including those of wood.