Variation of tensile strength along the length of lumber

Summary A model has been developed for the within member variation of tensile strengths parallel to grain in nominal 38 × 89 mm No. 2 Spruce-Pine-Fir lumber. Tensile strength data from two modulus of elasticity matched groups were considered. Model parameters obtained from data group 1 were used to generate tensile strength profiles of lumber 6.10 m long. Within member tensile strength cumulative probability distributions of the simulated data were evaluated by window analyses. The spatial correlation of the simulated data were evaluated by semivariogram and regression analyses. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and test results of both groups.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canadian Forest Service and the technical assistance of Mr. H. Sue, Mr. B. Deacon and Dr. J. Cook for this study. The research was performed while the principal author was working at Forintek Canada Corp.