Modelling the distribution of the variability of Maritime Pine for wooden sawn timber and finger jointing

Abstract

Maritime Pine wood is a highly heterogeneous material at various scales. This material can, however, be used in timber frame structures, but a more accurate assessment of its mechanical properties will improve its value and lead to more reliable designs. This paper reports the experimental results and statistical analysis of a large testing programme on Maritime Pine from south–west France. A model is established for mapping the properties at tree scale and quantifying internal variability, which is much larger than inter-tree variability. The ability of green finger jointing to reduce the effect of large defects is confirmed, since it leads to mechanical performances satisfying the C24 requirements of EN 14081, whatever the location of wood in the tree.

Keywords:

• Maritime Pine
• mechanical properties
• grading
• non-destructive assessment
• timber frame
• variability

Acknowledgements

This study has been carried out with the help of all partners of the ABOVE+2 project and the financial support of FUI (Industry and Agriculture ministry, Aquitaine region. The author thanks the FCBA technological institute.