EN 384:2016/prA1
(Amendment)Structural timber - Determination of characteristic values of mechanical properties and density
General Information
- Abstract
This standard gives a method for determining characteristic values of mechanical properties and density, for defined populations of visual grades and/or mechanical strength classes of sawn timber. Additionally it covers the stages of sampling, testing, analysis and presentation of the data.
A method is also given for checking the strength of a timber population against its designated value.
The values determined in accordance with this standard for mechanical properties and density are suitable for assigning grades and species to the strength classes of EN 338.
NOTE 1 For assigning grades and species to the strength classes in EN 338 only three characteristic values, i.e. bending or tension strength, mean modulus of elasticity parallel to grain in bending or tension and density need to be determined, other properties can be calculated according to Tab. 6.2.
NOTE 2 EN 1912 gives examples of established visual grades assigned to strength classes.
- Status
- Not Published
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 124 - Timber structures
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 124/WG 2 - Solid timber
- Current Stage
- 4097 - End of interruption of work - split/merged
- Start Date
- 08-Sep-2018
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 384:2016/prA1 - Structural timber: Determination of characteristic values of mechanical properties and density - is a CEN method for deriving the characteristic mechanical values and density of defined populations of sawn timber. The standard covers the full workflow: sampling, testing, data analysis and presentation, and provides a procedure to check a timber population against its designated strength value. Values determined using EN 384 are suitable for assigning visual grades and species to the strength classes specified in EN 338.
Key topics and requirements
- Characteristic values: Methods to determine characteristic values of mechanical properties (e.g., bending/tension strength, modulus of elasticity) and density for defined timber populations.
- Sampling and testing: Procedures and statistical treatment required to obtain representative population values.
- Data analysis and presentation: Statistical methods for calculating characteristic values and documenting results for grade assignment and certification.
- Strength checking: A method to verify that a timber population meets its designated strength value.
- Grade assignment: For mapping grades/species to EN 338 strength classes, only three characteristic values are required: bending or tension strength, mean modulus of elasticity parallel to grain, and density (other properties can be calculated per EN 384 tables).
- Amendment (prA1) updates:
- Subclause 5.5.1: For non-parametric calculations in type testing of machine-controlled systems, the confidence adjustment factor k (for k0.5,0.75 as defined in EN 14358) may be taken as 0 (No confidence adjustment).
- Subclause 5.5.2.2.4: Existing visual grade assignments calculated under previous versions do not require recalculation unless evidence shows required grade-determining properties are not met.
Applications and users
Who uses EN 384:
- Timber manufacturers and sawmills conducting type testing and establishing strength classes.
- Product certifiers and laboratories performing mechanical testing and statistical analysis.
- Structural engineers and specifiers who rely on certified characteristic values for design and conformity with EN 338 strength classes.
- National standards bodies and conformity assessment bodies involved in timber grade assignment.
Practical benefits:
- Provides a consistent, traceable method for assigning timber to strength classes.
- Supports certification, regulatory compliance and reliable structural design data.
- Clarifies statistical treatment for machine-controlled production (reduced confidence adjustment option).
Related standards
- EN 338 - Strength classes of structural timber (assignment target).
- EN 1912 - Examples of established visual grades assigned to strength classes.
- EN 14358 - Defines the k factors referenced for statistical confidence adjustments.
Keywords: EN 384, structural timber, characteristic values, mechanical properties, density, visual grading, strength classes, EN 338, sampling, testing, timber standards.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 19-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 11-Oct-2017
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 384:2016/prA1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Structural timber - Determination of characteristic values of mechanical properties and density". This standard covers: This standard gives a method for determining characteristic values of mechanical properties and density, for defined populations of visual grades and/or mechanical strength classes of sawn timber. Additionally it covers the stages of sampling, testing, analysis and presentation of the data. A method is also given for checking the strength of a timber population against its designated value. The values determined in accordance with this standard for mechanical properties and density are suitable for assigning grades and species to the strength classes of EN 338. NOTE 1 For assigning grades and species to the strength classes in EN 338 only three characteristic values, i.e. bending or tension strength, mean modulus of elasticity parallel to grain in bending or tension and density need to be determined, other properties can be calculated according to Tab. 6.2. NOTE 2 EN 1912 gives examples of established visual grades assigned to strength classes.
This standard gives a method for determining characteristic values of mechanical properties and density, for defined populations of visual grades and/or mechanical strength classes of sawn timber. Additionally it covers the stages of sampling, testing, analysis and presentation of the data. A method is also given for checking the strength of a timber population against its designated value. The values determined in accordance with this standard for mechanical properties and density are suitable for assigning grades and species to the strength classes of EN 338. NOTE 1 For assigning grades and species to the strength classes in EN 338 only three characteristic values, i.e. bending or tension strength, mean modulus of elasticity parallel to grain in bending or tension and density need to be determined, other properties can be calculated according to Tab. 6.2. NOTE 2 EN 1912 gives examples of established visual grades assigned to strength classes.
EN 384:2016/prA1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 384:2016/prA1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 384:2016+A1:2018, EN 384:2016. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 384:2016/prA1 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2018
.RQVWUXNFLMVNLOHV8JRWDYOMDQMHNDUDNWHULVWLþQLKYUHGQRVWLPHKDQVNLKODVWQRVWLLQ
JRVWRWH
Structural timber - Determination of characteristic values of mechanical properties and
density
Bauholz für tragende Zwecke - Bestimmung charakteristischer Werte für mechanische
Eigenschaften und Rohdichte
Bois de structure - Détermination des valeurs caractéristiques des propriétés
mécaniques et de la masse volumique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 384:2016/prA1
ICS:
79.040 Les, hlodovina in žagan les Wood, sawlogs and sawn
timber
91.080.20 Lesene konstrukcije Timber structures
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 384:2016
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
February 2018
ICS 79.040
English Version
Structural timber - Determination of characteristic values
of mechanical properties and density
Bois de structure - Détermination des valeurs Bauholz für tragende Zwecke - Bestimmung
caractéristiques des propriétés mécaniques et de la charakteristischer Werte für mechanische
masse volumique Eigenschaften und Rohdichte
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 124.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 384:2016. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
Recipien
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