Wood Engineering
Wood Structural Design Data, NFPA (National Forest
Products Assn.), 1250 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington,
DC 20036, 1978. 240 pages, $20.
by Paul Hanke
Wood is becoming an almost
unrecognizable product. The
contemporary builder is faced with a
plethora of "reconstituted" sheets, Ibeams,
and glulams-all stronger than
the original lumber, and making more
efficient use of trees that are declining
in size and quality.
Each of these products has its own
special characteristics, applications,
and span ratings, and every year they
find a wider share of the market. For
those purists-or Neanderthals-
among us who still use "real wood,"
Wood Structural Design Data is an
essential reference. It will tell you the
span capabilities of a remarkable
range of timber sizes.