Two-dimensional strain fields around knots in two Norway spruce specimens subjected to tension loading were detected using a contact-free measuring technique based on white-light digital image correlation. The first specimen included a traversing edge knot and the second one a centric knot. The development of strain fields as function of load level were measured by consecutive cyclic load tests in which one side of a specimen was studied during each test. The objectives were to examine to what extent the strain fields could be detected, to investigate the correlation between strain fields measured on different sides of a specimen, and to analyse the strain distributions around the knots. The results show that the applied technique is very useful for catching both overall and detailed information about the behaviour of knots in wood members exposed to loading. Clear wood defects that could not have been detected by neither visual inspection nor scanning were observed and conclusions could be drawn regarding release of internal stresses. The correlations between strain fields on different sides of the specimens were excellent and the correspondence between measurement results and comparative finite element calculations was surprisingly good, considering the fact that the employed FE models were fairly simple.

Machine strength grading of structural timber is based upon relationships between so called indicating properties (IPs) and bending strength. However, such relationships applied on the market today are rather poor. In this paper, new IPs and a new grading method resulting in more precise strength predictions are presented. The local fibre orientation on face and edge surfaces of wooden boards was identified using high resolution laser scanning. In combination with knowledge regarding basic wood material properties for each investigated board, the grain angle information enabled a calculation of the variation of the local MOE in the longitudinal direction of the boards. By integration over cross-sections along the board, an edgewise bending stiffness profile and a longitudinal stiffness profile, respectively, were calculated. A new IP was defined as the lowest bending stiffness determined along the board. For a sample of 105 boards of Norway spruce of dimension 45 × 145 × 3600 mm, a coefficient of determination as high as 0.68-0.71 was achieved between this new IP and bending strength. For the same sample, the coefficient of determination between global MOE, based on the first longitudinal resonance frequency and the board density, and strength was only 0.59. Furthermore, it is shown that improved accuracy when determining the stiffness profiles of boards will lead to even better predictions of bending strength. The results thus motivate both an industrial implementation of the suggested method and further research aiming at more accurately determined board stiffness profiles.

From previous research, it is well known that a localized modulus of elasticity (MOE) is a better indicating property (IP) of strength than an MOE averaged across a longer span. In this study, it was investigated to what extent the relationship, in terms of coefficient of determination (R²), between strength and localized MOE was dependent on the length across which the MOE was determined. Localized MOE was calculated with MOE profiles based on dot laser scanning of fiber directions, axial dynamic excitation, and a scheme of integration across a board's cross-section. Two board samples were investigated. Maximum R² values, which were as high as 0.68 and 0.77, respectively, were obtained for localized MOE determined across lengths corresponding to about half the depth of the investigated boards. Consequently, application of a highly localized bending MOE as an IP will result in very competitive grading.

Strength grading of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) side boards in the wet state was investigated. For a sample of 58 boards, density and dynamic modulus of elasticity in the axial direction, MOE_dyn, were determined in the wet state. The boards were then split into two parts and the procedure of determining MOE_dyn was repeated both before and after the boards were dried to a target moisture content of 12 %. Finally, tensile strength of the split boards was measured and its relationship to MOE_dyn for both wet and dried split boards determined. The investigation also included an evaluation of a so called reversed lamination effect on the stiffness caused by the splitting of boards into two parts. The results show that strength grading of split boards in the wet state can give just as good results as grading performed after drying. The reversed lamination effect on the stiffness of split boards was found to be of lower order.

The results from bending tests on 107 laminated, green-glued, beams manufactured from Norway spruce side boards are presented. The beams were made by face gluing 21-25 mm thick boards using a commercial one-component moisture curing polyurethane adhesive. In addition to the bending test results, results from shape stability measurements after climatic cycling and bond line strength and durability test results are also presented. The results from the bending tests show that, by applying very simple grading rules, it is possible to obtain beams with high bending strength (with a 5%-percentile characteristic value of 40,1 MPa) and substantial stiffness (mean value of 14360 MPa). Also the shape stability of the beams and the strength and the durability of the interlaminar bonds were found to be satisfactory.

Recent research has shown that glulam laminations of Norway spruce side boards possess excellent structural properties. This investigation concerns the possibility of improving the performance of such laminations through elimination of weak board sections by means of finger jointing. Sections to be removed were identified using profiles of edgewise bending stiffness determined on the basis of scanned fibre angle fields on board surfaces. The difference in average tension strength and average tension stiffness, respectively, between a group of finger jointed boards and a reference group of non-jointed boards was evaluated. Joints were inserted in the first group with an average distance of 2.4 m. It was found that the finger jointing gave a considerable increase of strength (36 %), whereas the stiffness improvement was not as evident. Based upon the results, it can be assumed that application of finger jointed side board laminations will result in glulam beams with very high strength.