Efficient use of wood in structural applications depends
upon the accuracy with which we can predict the mechanical
behavior of members under load. Most methods of lumber grading
and laminated beam design depend upon statistical and/or
empirical techniques in which averaged properties for complete
members are derived. A knowledge of...
Non-destructive commercial ultrasonic grading provides laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufacturers a means for sorting veneer based on average ultrasonic propagation time (UPT) and/or average dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEd). While this may provide reliable estimations of modulus of elasticity (MOE), little is known about the influence of veneer defects on...