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 D2915. The mechanical test methods are covered in Test Methods D198 and D4761. 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 D245 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 D245.

1.4 This practice only covers dimension lumber.