What is BS EN 14358 - Characteristic values of timber structures about?
This European standard helps its users to accurately calculate the characteristic values of timber structures in their construction projects which helps them to grade these timbers based on their structural strength.
BS EN 14358 gives statistical methods for the determination of characteristic values from test results on a sample drawn from a clearly defined reference population of e.g., solid wood, fasteners, connectors and wood-based products.
BS EN 14358 is suitable for use with any structural product in the frame of type testing as well as factory production control.
BS EN 14358 also provides the acceptance procedure for the verification of a lot.
Depending on the product, characteristic values determined in accordance with BS EN 14358 may be used directly or may need additional adjustments specified in the relevant product standards.
Note: Sampling is not covered by BS EN 14358, but reference is made to the relevant product standards.
Who is BS EN 14358 - Characteristic values of timber structures for?
BS EN 14358 on calculation and verification of characteristic values is useful for:
- Timber graders
- Architects and civil engineers
- Carpenters
- Sawmills
- Any organization that deals with wood and wood-based products
Why should you use BS EN 14358 - Characteristic values of timber structures?
The characteristic value is an estimate of the property of the reference population and can be based on a 5-percentile value of strength, resistance or density as well as on a mean value for stiffness.
BS EN 14358 provides you with a detailed description of the values and elements in the formulas for calculating the characteristic values of timber structures. This helps you to parameterize and classify timbers based on their structural strength designated as per their value of strength, resistance or density and stiffness.
Overall, BS EN 14358 guidelines help you to designate structural strength classes to timbers.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 14358:2016 supersedes EN 14358:2006. BS EN 14358:2016 is based on Annex D of EN 1990:2002, Eurocode – Basis of structural design. Compared to EN 14358:2006, the following modifications have been made in BS EN 14358:2016:
- Integration of normal distributions, and non-parametric estimation
- Proposals for simplified equations to evaluate correction factors
- Estimation of mean values
- Acceptance procedure for verification of a lot (taken from EN 384: 2010)