Structural Lumber from Small-Diameter Western U.S. Softwood Trees

by Thomas M. Gorman,
David W. Green,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structures 2001: A Structural Engineering Odyssey

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanical properties, and corresponding economic value, of dimension lumber produced from selected over-stocked forest stands of small-diameter lodgepole pine (northern Idaho), grand fir (northern Idaho), white fir (Colorado) and ponderosa pine (northern Idaho, central Idaho, western Colorado, and northern Arizona). After harvest, logs were processed into 2 x 4 (3.81 x 8.89 cm) dimension lumber by cooperating local sawmills, kiln-dried, and surfaced on four sides. The lumber was visually graded and tested for modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture, and each piece sorted into two types of grade categories: 1) visual Structural Light Framing and 2) Machine Stress-Rated.

Subject Headings: Wood and wood products | Wood frames | Trees | Elasticity and Inelasticity | Wood structures | Mechanical properties | Forests | United States | Idaho | Colorado | Arizona

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