Architecture Commons^™

Optimal Width And Depth For Maximum Breaking Load Of Wood Beams, Steven H. Bullard, Vikram Yadama

Faculty Publications

The strength of solid wood beams is an important property to consider in construction. Such beams do not receive further primary processing after leaving the sawmill, and their quality and strength properties are therefore determined by their initial, primary breakdown at the sawmill. The most efficient means of controlling the quality of solid wood beams is thus at the sawmill level. This paper presents a method of determining the width and depth of solid beams that will maximize breaking load.