Yellow Poplar from late 1800's - Wood Properties

[STR04]

Has anyone ever designed with yellow poplar that dates from the late 1800's? I can start with the values from the NDS, but wonder what I might expect from old forest growth if I had the material tested. TIA.

 

[IsaacStructural]

On Instinct I'd expect high strength from old growth material in good condition, but really it doesn't help too much, If it is important to know, you have to get it tested.

You might consider giving the testing group you have in mind a call and discuss with them, they would probably have a better ballpark estimate than those of us on this forum.

M.S. Structural Engineering
Licensed Structural Engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer (Illinois)

 

[woodman88]

You can download a free copy of the 1944 NDS from AWC at

http://www.awc.org/standards/nds.html

under "NDS Archives + Historical Design Values". The 1922 design values does not have Yellow Poplar listed. These 1944 values might be close to what you need if you can determain the grade of the lumber. I would add a personal safety factor to the values. How much lumber is going to be reused and how? If enough is going to be used testing for design values might be best.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[IsaacStructural]

Be careful about using the old published strength values, Design methods have changed over the years, so if you use old values, at least compare those with the old code and safety factors to make sure you are still being conservative.

M.S. Structural Engineering
Licensed Structural Engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer (Illinois)

 

[msquared48]

Poplar holds so much water and is so fiberous - almost pithy - I am surprised that it would ever be used for any structural applications, even though it is rated. Seems like shrinkage would be a real issue.

What are you using it for?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[shobroco]

Yellow poplar is actually tulip, and is a medium-strength, medium hardness hardwood more akin to many softwoods, for you west-coast guys who don't see it (MM!). Having seen & worked with lots of it, both new & 100+ years old, I would suggest that the properties of historic wood are not much different than commercially available now. The new stuff grew faster & is slightly softer & weaker than the old stuff was when it was new, but age has a way of affecting all of us, no matter how carefully we are stored. It is going to come down to experience & judgement, like everything.

 

[msquared48]

Here, poplar is garbage wood, not even suitable for firewood! They are good wind breakers and screeners though, and fast growing. Have a lot of widowmakers too.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[shobroco]

That`s why I said yellow poplar is tulip; it`s not actually a poplar at all If cut & kept dry, our poplars are good for firewood, kinda like gopher wood. Put one piece in & gopher another.

 

[msquared48]

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[paddingtongreen]

It has been used as the secondary wood in furniture making since colonial days.

Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.