Measuring and assessing wood properties during the production chain is getting more and more important for an optimal use of the resource. Over the years, research has been performed with the focus on establishing important wood properties, with the final goal of an optimized use in timber engineering. It is recognized that not all research results are easily translated into applications or code provisions. Timber grading, the conversion of grading results into strength class assignments, mechanical properties perpendicular to the grain of soft- and medium dense hardwoods are presented. The influence of density and fastener steel grade on the load carrying capacity of joints is discussed. Time-to-failure behaviour of joints is presented and it is shown that slightly more penalizing duration of load factors are required for joints behaving more brittle. Numerical modelling of joints is shown applying a modified Hill-criterion and a continuum damage mechanics model.     «

Measuring and assessing wood properties during the production chain is getting more and more important for an optimal use of the resource. Over the years, research has been performed with the focus on establishing important wood properties, with the final goal of an optimized use in timber engineering. It is recognized that not all research results are easily translated into applications or code provisions. Timber grading, the conversion of grading results into strength class assignments, mechan...     »