You are here: FPL Home
/ Information Products & Services
/ Publications
Requested Product
| ||||||||||||||
The Southeastern region of the United States produces the nation’s largest volume of structural lumber. The several tree species that make up the Southern Pine lumber species group grow on hundreds of millions of acres across approximately 10 states. Annually, the value of lumber production from this resource is in the billions of dollars. To maintain its competitive position, structural lumber properties must accurately reflect the strength and stiffness of the resource. In this manner, consumers receive a reliable and safe product with high economic and engineering value. Of key interest is the nature of lumber properties among the weaker specimens, which comprise the lower tail of the statistical strength distribution. As lumber comes from both younger plantation thinnings and older mature saw logs, investigating mixed populations is of interest. The current best practice is to base strength design values on the nonparametric fifth percentile so that the design strength of lumber is independent of its statistical distribution. If strength distributions could be more accurately characterized, estimated lower tail strength values might increase, and higher economic value could be assigned to lumber while maintaining safety and conservatism.
Ross, Robert J.
| - FPL's Mission and Strategic Plan - |
|---|
|
FPL's mission is to identify and conduct innovative wood and fiber utilization research that contributes to conservation and productivity of the forest resource, thereby sustaining forests, the economy, and quality of life. ... ..more » |
| - FPL Research Emphasis Areas - |
Advanced Composites
As an integral part of the FPL mission, we improve the long-term sustainability of our Nation's forests by creating valuable composite products from biobased materials ... ..more » 
Advanced Structures
The FPL has been in the forefront of wood-frame housing research since 1910 and has long been recognized as a world leader in such housing-related areas as engineered wood ... ..more » 
Forest Biorefinery
We all know the compelling reasons that the United States needs to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Historically, the greatest increases in energy demand have been for transportation fuels ... ..more » 
Nanotechnology
A leader in wood products research for over a century, the FPL is positioning itself to become the lead Federal research facility for the application of nanotechnology in forest products ... more » 
Woody Biomass Utilization
Forests in the United States contain a substantial amount of small-diameter, overstocked, and underutilized material.FPL research projects are exploring the potential of the small-diameter ... ..more » |