READiStrength

READiStrength -

Resource Efficient And Data driven integrated log and board Strength grading

The objectives are to develop roundwood strength grading approaches for different specifications of construction timber or glulam, for industrial production systems of large high-end sawmills or smaller rural sawmills in European regions, and to develop approaches for a continuous flow of wood quality information in the wood value chain for optimised strength grading.

Expected effects and results

– Combined knowledge in log X-ray and CT scanning, sawing optimization, traceability and sawn timber strength grading to develop combined log and board strength grading concepts supported by newest technology.
– Application of the novel concepts to important softwood species of European economic relevance and to regional, less used softwood species in the research design will enable a synchronous evolution of strength grading applicable for all softwood species;
– Grant new insights in the strengths and weaknesses of each species with respect to construction timber products.

Planned arrangement and implementation

– Novel strength grading scenarios for timber will be defined based on proven industrial standard and recent technology in roundwood scanning. Interviews in the sawmill industry to depict the scanning technology and grading specifics and adapt new approaches for regional sawmill industry.
– 1200 logs of softwoods from Sweden, Austria and Germany and their sawn boards will be characterised and tested for strength. Information will be collected according to a joined protocol for cross-referencing in data analysis and strength modelling.