Softwood sizes
The range of sizes available throughout Europe is large, with individual countries having different traditions as to the sizes in common use. The sawmills producing softwood timber produce a range of customary sizes. Specifying timber in these sizes is the most economic method, both in terms of material usage and cost.
See also the related publication:
Eurocode 5 span tables
This Wood Information Sheet was reviewed in April 2016 and minor corrections were made.
Suggested Reading
Round timber in construction: Notes for structural design
The use of round timber for structural applications can provide designers with attractive features in sympathy with local surrounding in a range of applications from housing and agricultural buildings to major engineering structures such as bridges.
Structural engineers are often faced with little information on designing with round timber...
01/01/2004 | Other Technical Guidance
Structural use of hardwoods
Although the vast majority of structural timber in the UK is softwood, there is a significant interest in hardwoods from both temperate and tropical regions for structural applications. When using hardwoods in structures, the specifier may need to take more interest in the species, its origin and its moisture condition...
11/01/2017 | Wood Information Sheet
Moisture in timber
One of the most important factors affecting the performance and properties of wood is its moisture content. The amount of water present in wood can affect its weight, strength, workability, susceptibility to biological attack and dimensional stability in a particular end use.
We estimate that over 80% of...
14/02/2017 | Wood Information Sheet
