Wood and Timber — Worked Examples

A timber specimen weighs $150\text{ g}$ before drying and $110\text{ g}$ after oven drying to the method-defined constant mass. Determine moisture content on an oven-dry basis.

A handheld moisture meter reads 14% on a timber member, while an oven-dry check on a representative sample gives 17%. Determine the appropriate quality response.

A timber specimen has mass $0.680\text{ kg}$ and measured volume $0.00120\text{ m}^3$ at the stated test moisture condition. Determine density.

A timber product has a stated compressive test value of $35\text{ MPa}$ parallel to grain and $4.5\text{ MPa}$ perpendicular to grain under the cited test conditions. Compare the two directional values.

A board is expected to shrink 5.0 mm tangentially and 2.0 mm radially as it conditions to service moisture. Determine the differential dimensional change and likely distortion concern.

A delivery note identifies lumber only as a high-strength species but provides no structural grade stamp or grading certificate. Determine whether species alone establishes allowable structural properties.

A pressure-treated timber member is cut on site, exposing untreated interior wood at the end. Determine the durability-control response.

A contractor proposes substituting an LVL beam for sawn lumber because the LVL has a higher published bending value. Determine the approval checks required before substitution.