The procedures described in this practice are intended to be used to establish allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values for solid sawn, visually graded dimension lumber from In-Grade type test data. These procedures apply to the tested and untested sizes and grades when an adequate data matrix of sizes and grades exists. In addition, the methodology for establishing allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values for combinations of species and species groups is covered. Allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values may also be developed for a single size or a single grade of lumber from test data.

Methods for establishing allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values for a single size/grade test cell are covered in Practice D 2915. The appropriateness of these methods to establish allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values is directly dependent upon the quality and representativeness of the input test data.

A review and reassessment of values derived from this practice shall be conducted if there is cause to believe that there has been a significant change in the raw material resource or product mix. If a change is found to be significant, retesting or re-evaluation, or both, in accordance with the procedures of this practice may be needed.

1.1 Due to the number of specimens involved and the number of mechanical properties to be evaluated, a methodology for evaluating the data and assigning allowable properties to both tested and untested grade/size cells is necessary. Sampling and analysis of tested cells are covered in Practice D 2915. The mechanical test methods are covered in Test Methods D 198 and D 4761. This practice covers the necessary procedures for assigning allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values to dimension lumber from In-Grade tests. The practice includes methods to permit assignment of allowable stress and modulus of elasticity values to untested sizes and grades, as well as some untested properties.

1.2 A basic assumption of the procedures used in this practice is that the samples selected and tested are representative of the entire global population being evaluated. This approach is consistent with the historical clear wood methodology of assigning an allowable property to visually-graded lumber which was representative of the entire growth range of a species or species group. Every effort shall be made to ensure the representativeness of the test sample.

1.3 This practice covers the principles and procedures for establishing allowable stress values for bending, tension parallel to grain, compression parallel to grain and modulus of elasticity values for structural design from "In-Grade" tests of full-size visually graded solid sawn dimension lumber. This practice is focused on, but is not limited to, grades which used the concepts incorporated in Practice D 245 and were developed and interpreted under American Softwood Lumber PS 20-70.

Note 1—In the implementation of the North American In-Grade test program, allowable stress values for compression perpendicular to grain and shear parallel to grain for structural design were calculated using the procedures of Practice D 245.

1.4 This practice only covers dimension lumber.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.