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Timber species and grade

Timber species and grade

Timber species and grade

(OP)
Are there any reliable methods to determine the species and grade of existing timber construction without having any design documents available? Non-destructive testing?

I was not able to find any information stamped on any of the members.

RE: Timber species and grade

Similar post - check out:

Thread337-90860

RE: Timber species and grade

One solution is to send samples of the wood, with suitable documentation, to the Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI and ask them to identify the wood.  When I did this for the wood in some heavy timber trusses, I used a hole cutter saw and cut some 1" diameter by 1/4" thick samples, sealed them in zip-lock baggies with a data card describing the location and type of framing member.  I got an answer back in about two weeks with the species and MC%.  

I don't know of any non-distructive test that will tell you the species of the wood, but there are a number of non-distructive tests that do tell you a lot about the condition of the wood.

RE: Timber species and grade

MotorCity,
Most any wood technologist should be able to identify the wood species without destructive testing as long as end grain is accessible.  You might try a university extension service.  If, as your name seems to indicate, you are in Michigan, you have a couple of the best in the country available.
He will need enough access to see side grain and end grain on the wood.  Tools needed are a sharp pocket knife and hand lens.
Grade is almost entirely visual so he should be able to develop this at the same time.

Griffy

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