ASTM D2915-03

Standard Practice for Evaluating Allowable Properties for Grades of Structural Lumber

ABSTRACT
This practice covers sampling and analysis procedures for the investigation and evaluation of allowable properties of specified populations of stress-graded structural lumber. This practice generally assumes that the population is sufficiently large so that, for sampling purposes, it may be considered infinite. The population shall be clearly defined where it may be necessary to specify the following: (1) grade name and description, (2) geographical area over which sampling will take place, (3) species or species group, (4) time span for sampling (5) lumber size, and (6) moisture content. Two statistical techniques are described under this practice, namely: parametric and nonparametric analysis. The sampling methods include: (1) random sampling, (2) sampling with unequal probabilities, and (3) sequential sampling. Selection and method of determining sample size are detailed. The results of the tests performed shall be presented as (1) a set of summarizing statistics, and (2) an appendix of unadjusted individual test specimen results. The procedures and requirements for analysis of results are detailed and includes the following: (1) adjustment factors used to reduce the test statistics to the level of allowable properties, (2) formula for calculating apparent modulus of elasticity, sample mean, sample standard deviation, and confidence interval for the mean (3) sample nonparametric percent point estimate, (4) nonparametric lower tolerance limit, (5) parametric point estimate, (6) lower parametric tolerance limit, and (7) histogram and empirical cumulative distribution function. This practice does not specify the action to be taken after the results have been analyzed.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers sampling and analysis procedures for the investigation of specified populations of stress-graded structural lumber. Depending on the interest of the user, the population from which samples are taken may range from the lumber from a specific mill to all the lumber produced in a particular grade from a particular geographic area, during some specified interval of time. This practice generally assumes that the population is sufficiently large so that, for sampling purposes, it may be considered infinite. Where this assumption is inadequate, that is, the population is assumed finite, many of the provisions of this practice may be employed but the sampling and analysis procedure must be designed to reflect a finite population. The statistical techniques embodied in this practice provide procedures to summarize data so that logical judgments can be made. This practice does not specify the action to be taken after the results have been analyzed. The action to be taken depends on the particular requirements of the user of the product.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2003
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.02 - Lumber and Engineered Wood Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2915-02 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Allowable Properties for Grades of Structural Lumber
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D2915-10 - Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Structural Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D7568-23 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene-Based Structural-Grade Plastic Lumber for Outdoor Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5764-23a - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Dowel-Bearing Strength of Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6815-22a - Standard Specification for Evaluation of Duration of Load and Creep Effects of Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5652-21 - Standard Test Methods for Single-Bolt Connections in Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7341-21 - Standard Practice for Establishing Characteristic Values for Flexural Properties of Structural Glued Laminated Timber by Full-Scale Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7857-16 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Flexural Properties and Internal Bond Strength of Fire-Retarded Mat-Formed Wood Structural Composite Panels Exposed to Elevated Temperatures
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D1990-19 - Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for Visually-Graded Dimension Lumber from In-Grade Tests of Full-Size Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7438-20 - Standard Practice for Field Calibration and Application of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7381-07(2021)e1 - Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Stresses for Round Timbers for Piles from Tests of Full-Size Material
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6570-18a(2023)e1 - Standard Practice for Assigning Allowable Properties for Mechanically Graded Lumber
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7469-22 - Standard Test Methods for End Joints in Structural Wood Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D8391-22e1 - Standard Specification for Demonstrating Equivalent Fire Performance for Wood-Based Floor Framing Members to Unprotected 2 by 10 Dimension Lumber or Equal-Sized Structural Composite Lumber
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6782-19 - Standard Test Methods for Standardization and Calibration of In-Line Dry Lumber Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D2915 – 03
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Allowable Properties for Grades of Structural
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Lumber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2915; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The mechanical properties of structural lumber depend upon natural growth characteristics and
manufacturing practices. Several procedures can be used to sort lumber into property classes or stress
grades, the most widely used being the visual methods outlined in Practice D245. With each, a
modulus of elasticity and a set of from one to five allowable stresses may be associated with each
stress grade. The allowable stresses are extreme fiber stress in bending, tension parallel to the grain,
compression parallel to the grain, shear, and compression perpendicular to the grain.This test method
for evaluation of the properties of structural lumber defines an allowable property as the value of the
property that would normally be published with the grade description.
This practice is useful in assessing the appropriateness of the assigned properties and for checking
the effectiveness of grading procedures.
Forsituationswhereamanufacturedproductissampledrepeatedlyorlotsizesaresmall,alternative
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test methods as described in Ref (1) may be more applicable.
1. Scope 1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard.
1.1 This practice covers sampling and analysis procedures
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for the investigation of specified populations of stress-graded
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
structural lumber. Depending on the interest of the user, the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
population from which samples are taken may range from the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
lumber from a specific mill to all the lumber produced in a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
particulargradefromaparticulargeographicarea,duringsome
specified interval of time. This practice generally assumes that
2. Referenced Documents
the population is sufficiently large so that, for sampling
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
purposes, it may be considered infinite.Where this assumption
D198 Test Methods of Static Tests of Lumber in Structural
isinadequate,thatis,thepopulationisassumedfinite,manyof
Sizes
the provisions of this practice may be employed but the
D245 Practice for Establishing Structural Grades and Re-
sampling and analysis procedure must be designed to reflect a
lated Allowable Properties for Visually Graded Lumber
finite population. The statistical techniques embodied in this
D1990 Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for
practice provide procedures to summarize data so that logical
Visually-Graded Dimension Lumber from In-Grade Tests
judgments can be made. This practice does not specify the
of Full-Size Specimens
action to be taken after the results have been analyzed. The
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling Of Materials
actiontobetakendependsontheparticularrequirementsofthe
user of the product.
3. Statistical Methodology
3.1 Two general analysis procedures are described under
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This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D07 on Wood and
this practice, parametric and nonparametric. The parametric
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.02 on Lumber and Engineered
Wood Products.
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally
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approved in 1970 as D2915–70 T. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
D2915– 02. DOI: 10.1520/D2915-03. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this practice. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D2915 – 03
approach assumes a known distribution of the underlying may be estimated. For all properties, nonparametric or para-
population, an assumption which, if incorrect, may lead to metric techniques are applicable. Commonly the mean modu-
inaccurate results. Therefore, if a parametric approach is used, lusofelasticityandthemeancompressionperpendiculartothe
appropriate statistical tests shall be employed to substantiate grain stress for the grade are estimated. For the
...