Mode II fracture mechanics properties of solid wood measured by the tensile- and compressive-loading shear fracture tests

•Mode II fracture mechanics properties of solid wood are investigated by axial-loading test.•The tests are conducted under varying the initial crack length.•The Mode II fracture mechanics properties can be measured effectively when the additional crack length is introduced. Tensile- and compressive-loading shear fracture tests were conducted using specimens of western hemlock to determine the fracture mechanics properties under the Mode II condition. The initial crack length was varied during the test, and the effect of the loading point location on the initiation and propagation fracture toughness values was examined. With the proposed method, the Mode II critical stress intensity factor was appropriately obtained using the maximum load as the critical load for crack propagation and by introducing the additional crack length due to the fracture process zone ahead of the crack tip.