Structural (Performance) class Potential for North America

Abstract

Structural class systems are species-independent product classification systems for structural timber. They are used throughout the world to reduce the number of species and grade choices that face the designer of wood construction projects. Structural class systems offer an opportunity to simplify timber specification in North America and to encourage more effective quality standardization across product types. This report gives some background information on the development of major structural class systems used in other countries. The guiding principles of a new ISO Structural Class standard will be applied to develop a potential structural class system for use in North America. A structural class system tuned for the most commonly used strength and stiffness performance categories used in North America can simplify timber specification for design engineers and make wood construction more favourable to architects and engineers in their selection of construction systems among wood, concrete, and steel. It is suggested that the time for a structural class system in North American has finally come.

Citation

Jones, Eric; Kretschmann, David E.; Cheung, Kevin. 2014. Structural (Performance) class Potential for North America. In: World Conference on Timber Engineering, Quebec City, Canada, August 10-14, 2014; p 8.