Category: TMU Brochure
Unit: Forest Products Technology Marketing Unit (TMU) - TMU
File size: 919 kb(s)

Abstract: Public and privates forests are in critical need of restoration by thinning small-diameter timber. If economical and value-added uses for this thinned material can be found, forest restoration costs could be offset and catastrophic wildfires would beminimized. At the same time, forestry-dependent rural communities - faced with diminishing timber supplies, loss of jobs, high unemployment, and declining community vitality - are looking for new ways to make a living from nearby forests. From information gathered in onsite interviews, this report describes how several businesses and community organizations are contributing to the health of the forest and their community by successfully making use of small-diameter and underutilized material.

Keywords: small-diameter timber, forest restoration, roundwood, small business

Category: General Technical Reports
Unit: Durability and Wood Protection Research - RWU4723
File size: 14328 kb(s)

Abstract: Summarizes information on wood as an engineering material. Presents properties of wood and wood-based products of particular concern to the architect and engineer. Includesdiscussion of designing with wood and wood-based products along with some pertinent uses.

Keywords: wood structure, physical properties (wood),mechanical properties (wood), lumber, wood-basedcomposites, plywood, panel products, design, fastenings,wood moisture, drying, gluing, fire resistance, finishing,decay, sandwich construction, preservation, and woodbased products

Category: Not Classified
Unit: Durability and Wood Protection Research - RWU4723
File size: 506 kb(s)

Abstract: Protecting homes and businesses from fire is a critical issue facing the nation. A fire occurs in the United States every 60 seconds. Concerns about terrorist activities and homeland security have increased. The risk that wildland fires will threaten the survival of homes and other structures near national forests has increased. Increased use of composite wood products, which improve wood utilization and provide markets for small-diameter materials, can potentially increase the risk of property damage and loss of life in fires. Our fire safety research program aims to ensure that wood products and wood-based structures do not contribute to loss of life and property in fires. Research areas include the following: * Ensuring adequate structural performance of engineered wood products in fires * Minimizing the contribution of new and innovative forest products to fire growth within buildings * Using fire-retardant treatments to improve fire performance of wood-based products * Improving survivability of wood structures in wildland * urban interfaces

Category: Agricultural Handbook
Unit: Pending
File size: 424 kb(s)

Abstract: The purpose of this manual is to describe both the basic and practical aspects of kiln drying lumber. The manual is intended for several types of audiences. First and foremost, it is a practical guide for the kiln operator-a reference manual to turn to when questions arise. It is also intended for mill managers, so that they can see the importance and complexity of lumber drying and thus be able to offer kiln operators the support they need to do their job well. Finally, the manual is intended as a classroom text-either for a short course on lumber drying or for the wood technology curriculum in universities or technical colleges.

Keywords: Dry Kiln Operator's Manual Dry Kiln Operators Manual

Category: Not Classified
Unit: Engineering Properties of Wood, Wood Based Materials, and Structures - RWU4714
File size: 17259 kb(s)

Abstract: Entire Publication

Keywords: Entire Publication

Category: General Technical Reports
Unit: Durability and Wood Protection Research - RWU4723
File size: 1.2 MB kb(s)

Abstract: The mechanical properties presented in this chapter were obtained from tests of small pieces of wood termed 'clear' and 'straight grained' because they did not contain characteristics such as knots, cross grain, checks, and splits. These test pieces did have anatomical characteristics such as growth rings that occurred in consistent patterns within each piece. Clear wood specimens are usually considered 'homogeneous' in wood mechanics. Many of the mechanical properties of wood tabulated in this chapter were derived from extensive sampling and analysis procedures. These properties are represented as the average mechanical properties of the species. Some properties, such as tension parallel to the grain, and all properties for some imported species are based on a more limited number of specimens that were not subjected to the same sampling and analysis procedures. The appropriateness of these latter properties to represent the average properties of a species is uncertain; nevertheless, the properties represent the best information available. Variability, or variation in properties, is common to all materials. Because wood is a natural material and the tree is subject to many constantly changing influences (such as moisture, soil conditions, and growing space), wood properties vary considerably, even in clear material. This chapter provides information, where possible, on the nature and magnitude of variability in properties. This chapter also includes a discussion of the effect of growth features, such as knots and slope of grain, on clear wood properties. The effects of manufacturing and service environments on mechanical properties are discussed, and their effects on clear wood and material containing growth features are compared. Chapter 6 discusses how these research results have been implemented in engineering standards.

Keywords: Wood properties, mechanical properties, elasticity, strength, vibration

Category: General Technical Reports
Unit: Economics and Statistics Research - FPL4851
File size: 967 kb(s)

Abstract: This documentation is meant to accompany CVal, a downloadable spreadsheet tool. CVal was constructed for foresters, other land management advisors, landowners, and carbon credit aggregators to evaluate the direct benefits and costs of entering into contracts for carbon sequestered in managed forests and forest plantations. CVal was designed to evaluate Exchange Forestry Offset (XFO) contracts on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), although the methodology ould be adapted for other trading mechanisms and agricultural sequestration projects. Versions of CVal are available both with and without macros. Although all calculations can be done in the version without macros, the macros version has buttons and automations that make the calculations convenient. Our general finding is that it is critical in managed forest projects to determine whether carbon accumulated prior to entering the contract can be counted. Depending on the contract year and length, this can triple the revenue from CCX contracts. If it is not possible to count pre-contract year carbon, then it may not be economically worthwhile to enter the program unless it is extended. Other critical variables having a large effect on the overall profitability include the trade price of sequestered carbon, the carbon sequestration rate, and the hurdle rate (the minimum required rate of return on investment) used. Up-front and annual costs are important, but overall profitability is not quite as sensitive to these costs as it is to the previously mentioned variables. Users are expected to enter their own data to evaluate the feasibility of specific projects.

Keywords: Carbon sequestration; carbon valuation; carbon contracts; carbon credits; Exchange Forestry Offset (XFO) contracts; Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX); decision support; discounted cash flow analysis

Category: TechLines
Unit: Forest Products Technology Marketing Unit (TMU) - TMU

Abstract: The Fuel Value Calculator is a tool that can be used to compare typical unit costs of various fuels. Originally developed by A.B. Curtis, Jr., of the USDA Forest Service’s Southern Region, the fifth edition of the Calculator has been published in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, and the Pellet Fuels Institute in Arlington, Virginia. The following information is to be used in conjunction with the Calculator, which is available by contacting the Forest Products Laboratory.

Category: Datasets
Unit: Durability and Wood Protection Research - RWU4723

Abstract: We have created this public domain depository of the actual data files (in Excel, e.g. .xls format) of the time-dependent data for cone calorimeter tests cited in publications of the Forest Service - Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) to make the complete data files more available.