Wood Handbook
Wood as an engineering material. General Technical Report 113.
Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 463 p.

Front matter (PDF 292 KB)

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Contributors

Chapter 1 -- Characteristics and Availability of Commercially Important Wood (PDF 916 KB)

• Timber Resources and Uses
• Species Descriptions
• U.S. Wood Species
• Imported Woods

Chapter 2 -- Structure of Wood (PDF 434 KB)

• Bark, Wood, Branches, and Cambium
• Sapwood and Heartwood
• Growth Rings
• Wood Cells
• Chemical Composition
• Species Identification

Chapter 3 -- Physical Properties and Moisture Relations of Wood (PDF 495 KB)

• Appearance
• Moisture Content
• Shrinkage
• Weight, Density, and Specific Gravity
• Working Qualities
• Decay Resistance
• Thermal Properties
• Electrical Properties
• Coefficient of Friction
• Nuclear Radiation

Chapter 4 -- Mechanical Properties of Wood (PDF 1.2 MB)

• Orthotropic Nature of Wood
• Elastic Properties
• Strength Properties
• Vibration Properties
• Mechanical Properties of Clear Straight-Grained Wood
• Natural Characteristics Affecting Mechanical Properties
• Effects of Manufacturing and Service Environments

Chapter 5 Commercial Lumber (PDF 551 KB)

• Hardwood Lumber
• Softwood Lumber
• Purchase of Lumber
• Commonly Used Lumber Abbreviations

Chapter 6 -- Lumber Stress Grades and Design Properties (PDF 329 KB)

• Responsibilities and Standards for Stress Grading
• Visually Graded Structural Lumber
• Machine-Graded Structural Lumber
• Adjustment of Properties for Design Use

Chapter 7 -- Fastenings (PDF 1.1 MB)

• Nails
• Spikes
• Staples
• Drift Bolts
• Wood Screws
• Lag Screws
• Bolts
• Connector Joints
• Multiple-Fastener Joints
• Metal Plate Connectors
• Fastener Head Embedment

Chapter 8 -- Structural Analysis Equations (PDF 320 KB)

• Deformation Equations
• Stress Equations
• Stability Equations

Chapter 9 -- Adhesive Bonding of Wood Materials (PDF 433 KB)

• Adhesion to Wood
• Surface Properties of Wood Adherends
• Physical Properties of Wood Adherends
• Adhesives
• Bonding Process
• Bonded Joints
• Testing and Performance

Chapter 10 -- Wood-Based Composites and Panel Products (PDF 904 KB)

• Scope
• Types of Conventional Composite Materials
• Adhesive Considerations
• Additives
• General Manufacturing Issues
• Standards for Wood-Based Panels
• Plywood
• Particle and Fiber Composites
• Wood-Nonwood Composites

Chapter 11 -- Glued Structural Members (PDF 975 KB)

• Structural Composite Lumber
• Glulam
• Glued Members With Lumber and Panels
• Structural Sandwich Construction

Chapter 12 -- Drying and Control of Moisture Content and Dimensional Changes (PDF 1.3 MB)

• Determination of Moisture Content
• Recommended Moisture Content
• Drying of Wood
• Moisture Control During Transit and Storage
• Dimensional Changes in Wood
• Design Factors Affecting Dimensional Change
• Wood Care and Installation During Construction

Chapter 13 -- Biodeterioration of Wood (PDF 599 KB)

• Fungus Damage and Control
• Bacteria
• Insect Damage and Control
• Marine Borer Damage and Control

Chapter 14 -- Wood Preservation (PDF 1.2 MB)

• Wood Preservatives
• Preservative Effectiveness
• Effect of Species on Penetration
• Preparation of Timber for Treatment
• Application of Preservatives
• Handling and Seasoning of Timber After Treatment
• Quality Assurance for Treated Wood

Chapter 15 -- Finishing of Wood (PDF 2.2 MB)

• Factors Affecting Finish Performance
• Control of Water or Moisture in Wood
• Types of Exterior Wood Finishes
• Application of Wood Finishes
• Finish Failure or Discoloration
• Finishing of Interior Wood
• Finishes for Items Used for Food
• Wood Cleaners and Brighteners
• Paint Strippers
• Lead-Based Paint 15-35

Chapter 16 -- Use of Wood In Building and Bridges (PDF 779 KB)

• Light-Frame Buildings
• Post-Frame and Pole Buildings
• Log Buildings
• Heavy Timber Buildings
• Timber Bridges
• Considerations for Wood Buildings

Chapter 17 -- Fire Safety (PDF 318 KB)

• Fire Safety Design and Evaluation
• Fire Performance Characteristics of Wood
• Flame-Retardant Treatments

Chapter 18 -- Round Timbers and Ties (PDF 396 KB)

• Standards and Specifications
• Material Requirements
• Availability
• Form
• Weight and Volume
• Durability
• Strength Properties

Chapter 19 -- Specialty Treatments (PDF 298 KB)

• Plasticizing Wood
• Modified Woods
• Paper-Based Plastic Laminates

Glossary (PDF 178 KB)

Index (PDF 154 KB)