This Technical Specification specifies small-scale test methods for estimating the following mechanical
properties of wood-based panels:
indicative planar shear strength (sometimes referred to as block shear);
indicative panel shear strength;
indicative strength and modulus of elasticity in tension in the plane of the panel;
indicative strength in compression in the plane of the panel.
Reference should be made to EN 310 for bending properties. For plywood, EN 314-1 may also be used as an
indicator of planar shear strength.
These test methods are intended for indicative purposes only and should not be used as a means of
determining structural design values. They may not be suitable for all panel types. They may be used as a
means of supporting quality control procedures for structural panels, if correlations with EN 789 test results
can be established (CEN Technical Report in preparation).