The aim of this work was to analyze the possibility of using a modified Arcan device to characterize the mechanical behavior, under tensile-shear loads, of wood and of wood assemblies obtained using friction welding without any adhesive. This process is interesting as only friction energy is used to assemble the two pieces of wood; thus, the process is characterized by low environmental impact and by easier recycling at the end of the product's life. For this assembly technique to become widespread in industry, it is necessary to develop numerical tools in order to predict the behavior of such assemblies under complex loads. Thus, it is also necessary to obtain a large data base of experimental results under various tensile-shear loads, in order to analyze the multi-axial mechanical behavior of such welded assemblies. However, few experimental devices have been proposed in the literature, and furthermore, very few papers in the literature analyze the complex mechanical behavior of wood. This paper describes the use of a modified Arcan test to analyze the behavior of wooden blocks and their welded assemblies. The stress state in the middle of the specimens used was not homogenous and, thus, finite element simulations were required to determine the stress distributions. These simulations were possible as the load transmitted by the tensile loading machine was known. Some experimental results are presented in the case of beech wood in a transversal direction. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012