The paper presents the partial research results of a mechanical properties study conducted on Scots pine from the Silesian Forestry Area in Poland. The scope of research included the visual strength grading of the timber according to the PN-D-94021:2013 standard, mechanical testing (according to EN 408:2012) and an attempt to assign visuals to the C strength classes. The EN 1912: 2012 standard assigns the visual sorting classes of individual wood species (according to national sorting standards) to the C strength classes introduced by the EN 338: 2018 standard. At the moment, this standard does not assign Polish visual sorting classes (KW, KS, and KG) to C strength classes. The obtained MOE (modulus of elasticity) and MOR (static bending strength) values were corrected according to the EN 384:2018 standard, and their characteristic values were later calculated. On this basis, we proposed a classification of the grading classes determined on the basis of PN-D-94021 into C classes described in EN 338:2018, which is necessary in the process of the transposition of Polish strength grades (KW, KS, KG, and Reject) and the qualification of them in line with EN 1912:2012. The calculated characteristic values of density, MOR and E₀ (the modulus of elasticity parallel to the grain) allowed us to assign Polish visual grades KW, KS, and KG to C35, C30, and C20, respectively. The pine timber under research had high physical and mechanical parameters, which translated into high C classes to which the KW, KS, and KG timber categories were assigned.

A batch of pine timber sawn from butt, middle and top logs was strength graded with the visual method (classification into grading classes KW—best quality, KS—medium quality, KG—inferior quality and Reject) and with the machine strength grading method—performed with the use of a mobile timber grader (classification into C strength classes). We compared the efficiency of grading classes and strength classes, depending on the type of log from which the material was obtained (butt, middle, top). Next, a strength grading machine was used to measure the modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE) and static bending strength (MOR). The ANOVA confirmed the influence of both the log type (butt, middle, top), the C strength class, and the visual strength grading class on the values of density (DEN) and MOR. Timber density and MOR decreased from the butt log section to the top log section. The ANOVA confirmed the influence of log type on MOE values, but only to a limited extent.

This article presents the results of tests conducted on Scots pine timber from three different kinds of logs: butt, middle and top. A planed pine timber batch composed of 510 pieces, dried to ca. 12% humidity, was machine-graded using a portable MTG device, and classified into the following classes: C18, C24, C30, C35 and C40 (according to EN 338:2016). During the second stage of the study, the timber was tested to determine its density, MOE and MOR, in accordance with EN 408:2012. We analyzed the impact of the timber’s log of origin on the results of machine strength grading and on the values of correlation coefficients between the tested properties. The results show, among others, that there is a correlation between the C classes and MOR of the tested timber, as well as its origin from butt, middle or top logs.

The paper presents an analysis of the influence of geographical origin and Scots pine log type on the mechanical properties of the timber sawn from them. The tested timber was sawn from logs obtained from three different forestry regions in Poland, located in the western part of the country. A batch of 150 timber pieces was obtained from each region. The cross-section had the dimensions of 40 mm × 138 mm. The timber was sawn from logs of three different types: butt, middle and top, from a fresh, mixed forest around 120 years old. The timber was dried in industrial conditions and planed four times. The values determined for the timber under research were the static modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE), and the bending strength (MOR). Moreover, timber density (DEN) was determined with the stereometric method. For all three sites, the highest average values of the tested timber properties were obtained for timber made of butt logs, and the lowest for timber made of top logs. It was concluded that the tested Scots pine properties depended on the type of log, and to limited extent, on its geographic origin. The statistical analysis revealed that the geographic origin of the logs that the tested timber was made of had a statistically significant impact on the variance of all the tested timber properties. The type of log also had a statistically significant influence on the variance of all the tested properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties determined in a 4-point bending test of beams made of lumber from which knots had been locally removed and the resulting loss replaced with sound wood. Three sets of beams were prepared, which differed in the number of layers/lamellas and the position of the lamellas from which edge knots were removed. All the lamellas used in the tests were subjected to a modulus of elasticity assessment. In addition to the distribution of defects, it determined the position of a given piece in the beam structure. The tests showed that high mechanical properties could characterise the beams produced in this way, i.e., a modulus of elasticity close to 12 kN/mm² and a strength above 40 N/mm², if the lamellas without knots were located below the outer tension lamella. Significantly better results were obtained when PUR glue was used in the inserts rather than MUF. In this case, beams with an improved outer lamella in the tension zone using semi-circular inserts glued with PUR glue had an average strength of 34.6 N/mm².