A historical compendium of timber strength and design, drawing on full-size tests and practical formulas for engineers and builders.
This edition brings together decades of timber testing and analysis, framing how wood performs under load in bridges, buildings, and construction. It compiles test results, diagrams, and practical guidelines to help professionals estimate strength, safety, and proper use of yellow pine, white oak, and other species.
Readers will find the discussion accessible and grounded in real-world data, with notes on how seasoning, end conditions, and load type affect crushing and breaking strengths. The material favors usable rules and straightforward application over theory alone.
- Full-size test results for common timber species and configurations
- Practical unit stresses and formulas for day-to-day design work
- Insights on end bearings, eccentric loading, and longitudinal shear
- Historical context and references to industry standards of the era
Ideal for professionals who design, inspect, or specify timber in structural work and for readers seeking a grounded history of timber testing.