A new standard for machine strength grading of timber – assessment and application (NT TR 554)

Abstract

  A new standard “prEN 14081 Timber structures – Strength graded structural timber with rectangular cross section” is under development. This standard lays down the requirements for visual and machine graded structural timber and results in the possibility to CE-mark structural timber. Among other things the standard harmonises the procedures for calculation of strength grading machine settings in Europe. Within this project the methodology suggested in the new standard for deriving machine settings is evaluated. Further, documentation showing that spruce and pine raw material grown in the Nordic countries have similar properties have been produced.