Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visual grading criteria for Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) structural timber from Spain

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Forestry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Larch wood is structurally classified in many countries as one of conifers with the highest load-bearing capacity (strength class of C30). The Spanish visual classification regulation only assigns a strength class to 4 pine woods: Laricio pine (Pinus nigra Arn. var. Salzmannii), Silvestre pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don), and Pinaster pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.). This work adds to the number of structurally characterised species by creating a visual classification table for Japanese larch wood (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.) which differentiates between 2 visual classes, MEG-1 and MEG-2. Characteristic strength values were calculated for each class (fk,MEG-1 = 31.80 MPa, fk,MEG-2 = 24.55 MPa), mean module of elasticity (E0,mean,MEG-1 = 13,082 MPA, E0,mean,MEG-2 = 12,320 MPA) and density (ρk,MEG-1 = 456.6 kg m−3, ρk,MEG-2 = 469.1 kg m−3), before finally assigning a strength class of C30 to visual class MEG-1, and a strength class of C24 to visual class MEG-2.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • BS 4978:2007+A2:2017 Visual strength grading of softwood—specification. British Standard Institution (BSI), London, United Kingdom

  • Bunetti M, Burato P, Cremonini C, Negro F, Nocetti M, Zanuttini R (2016) Visual and machine grading of larch (Larix decidua Mill.) structural timber from the Italian Alps. Mater Struct 49:2681–2688. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0676-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cáceres CB, Hernández RE, Fortin Y, Beaudoin M (2017) Wood density and extractive content variation among Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi [Lamb.] Carr.) progenies/provenances trials in eastern Canada. Wood Fiber Sci 49(4):363–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Dauksta D (2011) Japanese larch in Wales. Wales Forest Business Partnership, Woodknowledge Wales, p 28

  • Dauksta D (2015) Japanese larch: how cultural differences incluence utilization of timber. Wiston Churchill Memorial Trust, The Frank Jackson Fundation, p 57

  • EN 338:2016. Structural timber—strength classes. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 384:2016. Structural timber—determination of characteristic values of mechanical properties and density. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 408:2010+A1:2012. Timber structures—structural timber and glued laminated timber—determination of some physical and mechanical properties. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 1309-3:2018. Round and sawn timber—methods of measurements—part 3: features and biological degradations. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 1912:2012. Structural timber—strength classes—assignment of visual grades and species. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 14081-1:2016. Timber structures—strength graded structural timber with rectangular cross section—part 1: general requirements. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 14358:2016. Timber structures—calculation and verification of characteristic values. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 14081-2:2018. Timber structures—strength graded structural timber with rectangular cross section—part 2: machine grading. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • EN 14081-3:2012+A1:2018. Timber structures—strength graded structural timber with rectangular cross section—part 3: machine grading; additional requirements for factory production control. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels

  • Fortuna B, Plos M, Šuligoj T, Turk G (2018) Strength grading of structural timber. Udruga hrvatskih građevinskih fakulteta. https://doi.org/10.31534/CO/ZT.2018.09

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong GY, Park MJ (2016) Evaluate orthotropic properties of wood using digital image correlation. Constr Build Mater 113:864–869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jung-Kwon O, Kwang-Mo K, Jun-Jae L (2010) Use of adjacent knot data in predicting bending strength of dimension lumber by X-ray. Wood Fiber Sci 42(1):10–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo WL, Ren HQ, Wang ZH, Luo XQ (2012) Mechanical grading of structural larch dimension lumber. Key Eng Mater 517:683–688. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.517.683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moriguchi K, Schibata N, Imai M, Yamanouchi M, Yoshida T (2016) Optimizing the parameters of a knot assessment model based on the visual grading of JAS of lumber. Jpn Wood Res Soc J-Stage 62(4):133–145. https://doi.org/10.2488/jwrs.62.133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NFB 52-001-1:2018. Règles d´utilisation du bois dans les constructions—classement visual pour employen structure pour les principales essences résineuses et feuillues Partie 1: Bois massif. French Standards Association (AFNOR), Paris

  • Ridley-Ellis D, Stapel P, Baño V (2016) Strength grading of sawn timber in Europe: an explanation for engineers and researchers. Eur J Wood Prod. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-016-1034-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeda T, Hashizume T (1999) Differences of tensile strength distribution between mechanically high-grade and low-grade Japanese larch lumber II: effect of knots on tensile strength distribution. J Wood Sci 45:207–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01177727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNE 56544:2011. Clasificación visual de la madera aserrada para uso estructural. Madera de coníferas. Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE), Madrid

  • UNI 11035-2:2010. Legno strutturale—Classificazione a vista dei legnami secondo la resistenza meccanica—parte 2: regole per la classificazione a vista secondo la resistenza meccanica e valori caratteristici per tipi di legname strutturale. Italian National Unification Body (UNI), Rome

  • Zhu J, Nakano T, Tokumoto M (2000) Variation of tensile strength with annual rings for lumber from the Japanese larch. J Wood Sci 46:284–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thanks to Basque centre of research and applied innovation in vet (TKNIKA), Centre for services and promotion of Castilla y León forestry and its industry (CESEFOR), D. Bixente Dorronsoro, Gipuzkoa provincial council, and Commercial services of the wood of Guipuzkoa (SECOMA). Larrañaga sawmill (Azpeitia).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tknika, LHri Aplikatutako Ikerketa eta Berrikuntzako EAEko zentroa, Zamalbide Auzoa z/g, 20100, Errenteria, Gipuzkoa, Spain

    Mari-Jose Barriola

  2. Escuela de Ingeniería de la Industria Forestal, Agronómica y de la Bioenergía, Universidad de Valladolid, UVa-Campus Duques de Soria, s/n, 42005, Soria, Spain

    José-Ramón Aira

  3. Cesefor, Centro de Servicios y Promoción Forestal y de su Industria de Castilla y León, Calle C, 42005, Soria, Spain

    Edgar Lafuente

Authors
  1. Mari-Jose Barriola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José-Ramón Aira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Edgar Lafuente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José-Ramón Aira.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Project funding: The project has been funded by Basque centre of research and applied innovation in vet (TKNIKA).

The online version is available at http://www.springerlink.com

Corresponding editor: Yu Lei.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Barriola, MJ., Aira, JR. & Lafuente, E. Visual grading criteria for Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) structural timber from Spain. J. For. Res. 31, 2605–2614 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-01025-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-01025-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation