• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.446-455
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• 2015

Based on comparative studies on standards and grading procedures of machine graded lumber in Korea and other countries, this study proposed a procedure of determining the grade classification and design strengths of domestic machine graded lumber. Differences between machine stress rated lumber and E-rated laminations were detailed in order to clarify the need for the procedure improvement. To this improvement the use of average MOE requirement for grading was introduced instead of the fixed minimum MOE requirement which is currently used in the Korean standards. It was found that the fixed minimum MOE requirement method was easier for an inspector to grade but, less efficient as a strength predictor than the average MOE requirement method. The advantage of average MOE requirement method is statistically MOR-MOE regression-based MOR prediction and highly efficient in quality control though it requires a computer-aided operation system in an initial setup. A major weakness of the current Korean grading system was found that different strength characteristics depending on wood species were not reflected on the grade classification and the tabulated allowable design stress. The proposed procedures were developed taking advantages of respective merits of both methods and based on MOR-MOE regression analysis. Through this procedure, the grades of machine stress rated lumber should be revised to become interchangeable with E-rated lamination, which would be beneficial to the cost competitiveness of domestic machine graded lumber and glued laminated timber industry.