BAT PLAQ SOFTWOOD 2022 PaP 12+couv-2211019-2501022
FrenchTimber : Promotion of French timber species and wood products
The French wood industry is a leading player in European timber production. It has been managing its diversified forests for centuries, both ecologically and economically. France’s forests are in constant expansion.
A huge variety of species in both hardwood and softwood has contributed to the exceptional worldwide reputation of French timber and wood products.
The FrenchTimber association was founded in 2001 at the initiative of the "Fédération Nationale du Bois". Strongly supported by the related timber industries throught France Bois Forêts, FrenchTimber is dedicated to:
● Promote the use of the sustainably produced timber and wood products on an international and national level.
● Facilitate the supply of timber to foreign companies by promoting the huge expertise and personalised service offered by the French timber industry.
The FrenchTimber association has been created as a tool to ease the supply of quality timber.
● FrenchTimber distributes technical and economical information to international purchasers (importers, wholesalers, manufacturers and decision makers).
● The French timber industry offers quality, expertise and the ability to adapt their production to specific demands.
● The French timber industry exercises the PEFC program of sustainable forest management, as a proof of its commitment to the future.
Why buy French products ?
Advantages of French softwood sawn timber :
● Big dimension timber,
● Available in long lengths (up to 12 meters),
● A huge range of products
● Sustainably managed forests.
French sawmills can offer you :
● Standard dimensions using the european grating system,
● Dimensioned according to customer’s specifications,
● Expertise together with continually developed technology,
● Sales teams traditionally dedicated to international trade.
Resources
French forests increase their standing wood volume by 88 million m3 every year.
Fifty percent of this volume is harvested annually.
The forest contains 128 different species (30 of which are commonly sawn).
The total wood volume represents 2 billion m3.
An overview of sustainable forest management
In 1827, France has set up a controlled forest management system. Drawing from experience, France has initiated the PEFC certification scheme (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) which guarantees resource renewal.
During the last 50 years French forests have increased by 35% while at the same time maintaining their biological diversity.
PEFC guarantees the origin of the products offered.
Annual sawn timber production :
3.900.000 m3
Fir - Spruce
Abies Alba - Picea Excelsa
These are tall trees (up to 30 meters) with a large diameter (1 meter), growing in mountainous areas (over 800 meters high).
Their trunks are straight and cylindrical, showing a smooth bark. They account for 1.383.000 ha within the whole French forest.
Wood characteristics
•Fir
Heartwood is not distinct from sapwood. Sawn timber is glossy creamwhite. Fir is straight-grained, with thin and regular texture.
• Spruce
Heartwood is not distinct from sapwood. Sawn timber is white to pale pink coloured.
Spruce is straight-grained with thin and regular texture.
Preservation
Fir and spruce can be used in class 1 without treatment (dry surrounding conditions) and in class 3 (humid atmosphere) after treatment. Timber impregnation can be made in class 2 (dipping) or class 3 (vacuum pressure treatment).
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
450 kg/m3
Total average volumetric shrinkage 11,4%-12,7%
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres 14 N/mm2
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
100 MPa
44 MPa
12 700 MPa
Spruce
Fir
Main uses
Fir and Spruce are ideal for framework, including glued laminated timber, as well as for wooden structures (for instance : footbridges). Sawn timber is also currently used for joinery, flooring, skirting boards and mouldings
Annual sawn timber production :
1 400.000 m3
Originally from North America, Douglas-Fir has been introduced in France in 1842. Wide-spread today, its production keeps growing (+15% a year).
Its rapid growth gives birth to tall trees (50 meters), with a large diameter (2 meters), straight-grained, thick and cracked bark.
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga Menziesii
Wood characteristics
Its reddish-brown heartwood is distinctive from its cream white sapwood. Douglas-Fir is straightgrained, with medium texture and sound knots.
Preservation
Douglas-Fir is naturally durable: heartwood is resistant to mushrooms. Douglas-Fir can be used in class 3 (timber exposed to weathering).
Impregnation must be done by vacuum pressuretreatment.
Workability
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
540 kg/m3
Total average volumetric shrinkage 10,6%
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres 18 N/mm2
Modulus of rupture under bending 83 MPa
Breaking stress under axial compression 47 MPa
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending 12 100 MPa
Main uses
Thanks to its availability in long lengths, Douglas-Fir is widespread in the building industry. Ideal for framework, including glued laminated timber (Douglas-Fir, once dried, becomes very hard), as well as for cladding, exterior joinery and layout. It can also be used in exterior structure such as decking, footbridges and floating docks.
Y. Clairvic
Annual sawn timber production :
400.000 m3
Widespread species in France, it is found in the northern part of the country, standing on 1.130.000 ha. Due to its good resistance to cold weather, scots pine is often seen in the French mountainous areas. This species, which grows slowly, features a tall and straight trunk.
Wood characteristics
Scots pine shows a distinct yellowish white sapwood and a pinkish to reddish-brown heartwood.
Generally straight-grained with fine texture.
Scots Pine
Pinus Sylvestris
Preservation
Scots pine’s heartwood is naturally resistant against mushrooms but is difficult to impregnate. Sapwood is easily impregnate. Sawn timber is usable in both class 4 and 5 after vacuum pressure treatment.
Workability
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
550 kg/m3
14,1%
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres 18 N/mm2
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
109 MPa
56 MPa
14 500 MPa
Main uses
Scots pine is commonly used for interior (moulding, skirting boards, panelling and flooring …) and exterior joinery as well as framework. Scots pine is also appreciated for furniture and exterior fittings (acoustic screens, handrails, cladding, decking and footbridges).
CopyrightB.Rérat
Annual sawn timber production :
1.200.000 m3
Maritime pine represents more than 10% of the total French forest, it covers about 1.360.000 ha. These are tall trees, with brownishred cracked bark.
Maritime Pine
Pinus Pinaster
Preservation
Sapwood is not naturally durable, though easily impregnable by treatment (either by impregnation or by vacuum pressure).
Heartwood is naturally durable . After vacuum pressure treatment, it can be graded in both classes 4 and 5.
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
Wood characteristics
Maritime pine shows a distinct yellowish white sapwood and a reddish heartwood.
It is mainly straight-grained with medium texture.
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
560 kg/m3
11,9%
20 N/mm2
90 MPa
47 MPa
10 200 MPa
Main uses
The main uses for maritime pine sawn timber are joinery, both interior (mouldings, skirting boards, flooring and panelling) and exterior, as well as furniture and framework. It is also commonly used, when treated, for exterior fittings (cladding, outdoor urban furniture). Finally, this species is widely used for packaging, crates and pallets production.
Visual appearance grading of softwood
According to standard NF EN 1611-1(available upon request)
Grade 0
Main uses: layout, joinery, furniture, moulding, furniture.
Insect attacks Black pinholes : 15% of the surface
Wane 20 mm (50% length)
Pith Allowed
Splits 20% of the length
Grade 4
Main use: formwork. Grade 4 is not shown herewith photographs. It includes all sawn timber that could not be classified in higher grades.
Two systems for structural grading of softwood sawn timber
The use of timber in structural applications is linked to the knowledge of its mechanical characteristics. The aim of structural grading is to sort timber into different grades depending on its forecasted mechanical performance.
Two grading systems achieve :
● Visual Grading (according to standard NFB 52-001, 12.98).
This system defines grades of timber using criteria based on visual appearance, sawing method, biological degrade and defect. Three visual classes result of this method: ST-I, ST-II or ST-III. Graded timber can then be allocated to a CEN Strength Class.
● Machine Grading (according to standard EN 519, 03.98).
This system allows timber to be graded to a CEN Strength Class (C 30, C 24 and C 18) by measuring mechanical characteristics.
Relationship between mechanical and visual classes
Strenght ClassVisual ClassPossible end uses for framework
C 30 ST-IGlued laminated timber
C 24ST-IITrusses and glued laminated timber
C 18 ST-III Traditional framework : Post and Beam
Distribution of species by strength class
The main softwood species in France were classified in the three strength classes after being studied according to visual grading criteria.
(See table)
SpeciesST-IST-IIST-III
Firs & Spruces
Douglas fir
Pines (1)
(1) Scots pine, Maritime pine, Austrian pine, Corsican pine
Marking timber graded by mechanical resistance
For use in the European market, each piece of graded structural timber must be marked according to standard NF B 52-001. This includes: visual class (ST-…) or strength class (C …), the specie, the producer and the reference standard used to grade (NF B 52-001, EN 519).
Visual grading of structural softwood
The table below indicates measurements and criteria to be considered when grading. (Methods of measurement are described in the rule NF EN 1310) (Complete standard NF B52-001 available upon request).
Width of annual Firs - Spruces - Pines ≤ 6mm
8mm ≤ 10 mm rings (mm) Douglas Fir
Dimensions of knots Firs - Spruces - Douglas firØ ≤ 1/6 lØ ≤ 1/2 lØ
3/4 l on one face PinesØ ≤ 1/10 lØ ≤ 1/3 lØ ≤ 2/3 l
Dimensions of knots Firs - Spruces - Douglas firØ ≤ 2/3 of the thickness and Ø ≤ 40 mm on one edge PinesØ ≤ 1/3 eØ
Traversing shakesMax length < 2 widths of the pieceL < 600 mm
Not traversing shakes
Big resin pockets
Bark pockets
Max length < half widths of the pieceunlimited
Not permitted
Not permitted
Allowed if < 80 mm
Slope of grain local 1/10 1/4 (expressed as a ratio) general 1/14 1/6
Wanes lengthNot permitted < 1/3 length of the piece and < 100 cm width Not permitted< 1/3 of the thickness of the edge
