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  Design Value Comparisons for 2x12
Values are given in pounds per square inch (psi)

These tables compare design values for Southern Pine lumber and other major commercial species used in the U.S. The tables are based on results of the North American In-Grade Testing Program completed in 1991. These tests confirmed that Southern Pine is the Strongest Species for engineered and framing applications.

Tabulated design values are based on normal loading conditions. Because the strength of wood varies with conditions under which it is used, these design values should only be applied in conjunction with appropriate design and service recommendations from the NDS. Tabulated design values must be multiplied by all applicable adjustment factors to determine allowable design values.

2x12 Property
Southern
Pine
Douglas
Fir-Larch
Hem-Fir
Spruce-
Pine-Fir
Spruce-
Pine-Fir
(South)
Select
Structural
Extreme Fiber Stress in Bending, Fb
Tension parallel-to-grain, Ft
Compression parallel-to-grain, Fc
Modulus of Elasticity, E
1,900
1,050
1,800
1,800,000
1,450
1,000
1,700
1,900,000
1,400
900
1,500
1,600,000
1,250
675
1,400
1,500,000
1,300
575
1,200
1,300,000
No. 1
Extreme Fiber Stress in Bending, Fb
Tension parallel-to-grain, Ft
Compression parallel-to-grain, Fc
Modulus of Elasticity, E
1,250
675
1,600
1,700,000
1,000
675
1,450
1,700,000
950
600
1,300
1,500,000
875
425
1,100
1,400,000
850
400
1,050
1,200,000
No. 2
Extreme Fiber Stress in Bending, Fb
Tension parallel-to-grain, Ft
Compression parallel-to-grain, Fc
Modulus of Elasticity, E
975
550
1,450
1,600,000
875
575
1,300
1,600,000
850
500
1,250
1,300,000
875
425
1,100
1,400,000
750
325
975
1,100,000
No. 3
Extreme Fiber Stress in Bending, Fb
Tension parallel-to-grain, Ft
Compression parallel-to-grain, Fc
Modulus of Elasticity, E
575
325
825
1,400,000
500
325
750
1,400,000
500
300
725
1,200,000
500
250
625
1,200,000
425
200
550
1,000,000

SOURCES

These tables are for comparison purposes only, and do not provide complete design information. For more design details, see the National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction published by the American Forest & Paper association, the Southern Pine Use Guide published by the Southern Pine Council, and the following sources used for this publication:

Southern Pine
Southern Pine Council: Maximum Spans for Southern Pine Joists & Rafters, 5/93.
Southern Pine Inspection Bureau: Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber, 1994 Edition.

Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir and Spruce-Pine-Fir (South)
Western Wood Products Association: Western Lumber Size-Adjusted Values, 2/92, and Western Lumber Span Tables, 2/94.

Spruce-Pine-Fir
Canadian Wood Council: Canadian Dimension Lumber Data Book, 1/92, and The U.S. Span Book for Canadian Lumber, 1993.

Species Comparisons | 2x4 | 2x6 | 2x8 | 2x10 | 2x12


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