Timber species and grade

[MotorCity]

Are there any reliable methods to determine the species and grade of existing timber construction without having any design documents available? Non-destructive testing?

I was not able to find any information stamped on any of the members.

 

[JAE]

Similar post - check out:

thread337-90860

 

[jheidt2543]

One solution is to send samples of the wood, with suitable documentation, to the Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI and ask them to identify the wood. When I did this for the wood in some heavy timber trusses, I used a hole cutter saw and cut some 1" diameter by 1/4" thick samples, sealed them in zip-lock baggies with a data card describing the location and type of framing member. I got an answer back in about two weeks with the species and MC%.

I don't know of any non-distructive test that will tell you the species of the wood, but there are a number of non-distructive tests that do tell you a lot about the condition of the wood.

 

[griffengm]

MotorCity,
Most any wood technologist should be able to identify the wood species without destructive testing as long as end grain is accessible. You might try a university extension service. If, as your name seems to indicate, you are in Michigan, you have a couple of the best in the country available.
He will need enough access to see side grain and end grain on the wood. Tools needed are a sharp pocket knife and hand lens.
Grade is almost entirely visual so he should be able to develop this at the same time.

Griffy