Influence of Earlywood, Latewood, and Nail Driving Position on Nail Withdrawal Load Behavior

Nail withdrawal tests were conducted on clear wood of radiata pine. Nails were driven into the earlywood and latewood zones of each specimen, and nail withdrawal tests were then performed. Nail withdrawal loads were strongly dependent on earlywood and latewood and on nail position. The average load values for nail withdrawal in both the tangential and longitudinal directions were higher for latewood than for earlywood. Linear and nonlinear regression analyses of nail withdrawal load with specific gravity showed no discernible differences. Good correlations were obtained between nail withdrawal load and specific gravity.