Current changes to the strength grading of UK softwoods-
European harmonisation
Geoff Cooper (produced by Chris Holland)
Materials and Engineering
The basics of machine strength grading
• The strength class criteria are based on statistical
distributions of the samples and not on the strength of the
individual pieces.
• Strength is determined at the ranked 5th percentile value of
the sample, MOE and density values are determined at
levels appropriate to the 5th percentile strength.
The influence of grade boundaries
• The figure below shows a typical distribution for strength, with the
sample skewing to the lower end of the distribution. Current machine
settings are based on a sample that reflects the strength range and
geographical distribution of the species as a whole.
Single grade distribution (C16)
• This figure shows the same strength distribution, but also indicates
the C16 boundary (5th percentile) for the sample.
• The diagram shows that the C16 grade includes 5% of values
below the target value for the strength class and a spread of
strength values. Some of these are well in excess of the C16
requirement. All this sample would be stamped C16.
Combination grade (C16/C24)
• This figure shows the same distribution, but for the grade combination
C16/C24. Again both strength classes have material below the target
value for each strength class, but the C16 material is limited by the
C24 grade boundary
Harmonisation of European structural codes – Grading.
• The structural timber codes have undergone a process of
harmonisation and their implementation is underway. The
UKTGC is meeting today to decide the date for
implementation of the new standard, possibly 1st of Jan
2007. For grading this means the introduction of a new
head standard that replaces the current grading codes.
• BS EN 14081: Parts 1 to 4 was published last year and
now covers all aspects of strength grading rectangular
timber.
The 4 parts are:
• BS EN 14081 – 1: 2005, Timber structures. Strength graded
structural timber with rectangular cross section. General
requirements.
• BS EN 14081 – 2: 2005, Timber structures. Strength graded
structural timber with rectangular cross section. Machine grading.
Additional requirements for type testing.
• BS EN 14081 – 3: 2005, Timber structures. Strength graded
structural timber with rectangular cross section. Machine grading.
Additional requirements for factory production control.
• BS EN 14081 – 4: 2005. Timber structures. Strength graded
structural timber with rectangular cross section. Machine grading .
Grading machine settings for machine controlled systems.
The changes
• BS EN 519 and BS EN 518 will be withdrawn.
• BS 4978 and BS 5756 will both remain. These are both
national codes that comply to BS EN 14081: Part 1.
• BS EN 1912 becomes more important. (National visual
grades attributed to strength classes).
• Most other BS EN standards relating to structural timber
remain.
Implications for the UK industry and the customers
• The main implication is that compulsory third party
certification is no longer required. The UKTGC is trying to
address this issue.
• CE marking will make graded timber acceptable across
Europe. The UK has no requirement for CE marking.
• BS EN 1912 will allow CE marked timber into the UK
based on other European Union countries visual grading
systems.
• Saw millers will be able to calculate their own machine
setting data. These will no longer be issued by UKTGC.
• BS 5268 will remain in use for the time being, but will
eventually be replaced by Eurocode 5
Machine settings
• Tony Fewell has produced, at the request of the UKTGC,
a simple spread sheet based programme that will
calculate the settings to the BS EN 338 strength classes
for a range of species and dimensions for both the
Computermatic and Cook-Bolinder machines.
• These programmes will be made available to the
Certification Bodies that are registered with the UKTGC for
supply to their customer.
Standard titles
• BS EN 518: Structural timber – Grading – Requirements for visual
strength graded timber
• BS EN 519: Structural timber – Grading – Requirements for machine
strength graded timber and grading machines
• BS 5268 Part 2. Code of practice for permissible stress design.
Materials and workmanship
• BS EN 1912 Structural timber – Strength classes – Assessment of
visual grades and species
• BS EN 338 Structural Timber – Strength classes
• BS 5756 Specification for visually strength graded hardwoods
• BS 4978 Specification for visually strength graded softwoods
