Allowable checks in wood beams
Allowable checks in wood beams
(OP)
I have some exposed No.1 Douglas Fir beams that have too many checks. I know I have seen a limit for the amount of checks but I can't seem to find it. Isn't it part of the grading rules? I would like to refer the contractor to the requirements before I tell them to replace them. Any help is appreciated.






RE: Allowable checks in wood beams
You will probably find rules that allow 1/4 the thickness for the sum of all end checks (one check 1/4 the thickness or 2 checks 1/8 the thickness each...etc).
#1 should still be "pretty" so if your eyeballs are questioning it, they are probably grossly off grade.
RE: Allowable checks in wood beams
RE: Allowable checks in wood beams
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Allowable checks in wood beams
Douglas Fir, depending on species, may be graded by one of the following: WCLIB, WWPA, NLGA. You can find these on the web.