Principal Mechanical Properties of Cypress Wood (Cupressus Sempervirens L.) Naturally Grown in (Kahramanmaras) Eastern Mediterranean of Turkey

Some mechanical properties (compression, static bending, impact bending, shear strength and Janka hardness) of cypress wood (Cupressus sempervirenss L.) were evaluated in accordance with Turkish Standards and compared with other cypress’ properties. Samples were taken from randomly collected logs naturally grown in Northeastern Mediterranean region (Kahramanmaras) of Turkey. The results showed that the mean values of compression strength parallel to grain, static bending strength, impact bending strength, shear strength parallel to grain, Janka hardness (cross), Janka hardness (radial) and Janka hardness (tangential) were 45.8 N/mm², 76.8 N/mm², 0.051 J/mm², 6.5 N/mm², 623 N/ mm², 510 N/mm², and 543 N/mm², respectively. The relationship between strength and density was determined using regression analyses, and these were compared with other available published values in the literature. The results showed that cypress wood grown in Kahramanmaras and the other cypresses have similar mechanical properties and density.