Chapter 3:Sorting red maple logs for structural quality

Abstract

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of wood materials has a long history of application in the wood products industry. Visual grading of lumber is perhaps one of the earliest NDE forms. Visual assessment of a piece of lumber requires the grader to estimate a strength ratio on the basis of observed external defects (USDA 1999). The ratio is used to estimate the strength of lumber relative to a similar piece without defects. The estimation is based on standard lumber grading rules; however, it is entirely subjective and governed by the judgment of the grader. Furthermore, the value assigned to clear lumber of comparable size is only an estimated minimum based on tests of small, clear specimens (Bodig and Jayne 1982).

Citation

Wang, Xiping. 2005. Chapter 3:Sorting red maple logs for structural quality. Undervalued hardwoods for engineering materials and components. Madison, WI : Forest Products Society ; Marquette, MI : Northern Initiative, [c2005]: pages 21-29.