Norway spruce has recently passed muster from strength testing to be used for a number of construction applications. The species was approved by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) in October for use in home construction areas such as wall studs, floor and ceiling joists, and industrial applications.
It is the first new U.S.-grown softwood species to be fully tested for strength values since the initial process for assigning design values from testing of wood samples began in the 1920s.
Norway spruce samples were destructively tested, and lumber strength data was calculated for the entire spectrum of design values: Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Fiber Stress in Bending, Tension Parallel to Grain, Horizontal Shear, and Compression Parallel and Perpendicular to Grain.
Once cut into logs, Norway spruce is virtually indistinguishable from native eastern spruce species, with even the most experienced of graders not able to discern one species from the other, according to a press release from Northeaster Lumber Manufacturers Association.
About 50% of Norway spruce is located throughout New York State. The species can also be found in Maine, down into southern New England, and as far west as Wisconsin.
Related Stories
Wood | Jun 24, 2020
One of Europe’s largest office and warehouse buildings is made entirely of wood
Exli designed and built the project.
Wood | Apr 1, 2020
HDR will design a mass timber Ramada Hotel
The hotel will be located in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Wood | Feb 3, 2020
Mass timber construction grows up
Mass timber is finally making a dent in commercial construction. But can it keep up with demand?
Wood | Jan 24, 2020
105,000-sf vertical mass timber expansion will cap D.C.’s 80 M Street
Hickok Cole is designing the project.
Urban Planning | Jan 13, 2020
Henning Larsen designs all-timber neighborhood for Copenhagen
The project hopes to set a standard for how modern communities can live in harmony with nature.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 12, 2019
Top Building Envelope Products for 2019
Sto's beetle-inspired exterior coating and Dörken Systems' UV-resistant vapor-permeable barrier are among the 28 new building envelope products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
Wood | Dec 11, 2019
Design plans submitted to San Francisco for the largest mass timber office building in North America
Suppliers of engineered wood products are suddenly scrambling to keep up with demand.
Wood | Dec 6, 2019
The University of Arkansas is now home to America’s largest mass timber building
A design collaborative led by Leers Weinzapfel Associates, Modus Studio, Mackey Mitchell Architects, and OLIN designed the project.
Wood | Oct 24, 2019
Could mass timber be a game changer for stadium design?
Projects throughout the U.S. and Canada showcase the design and environmental traits of large-scale wood sports facilities.
