Abstract

This paper focuses on statistical technique for the assessment of grouping tropical timbers into similar strength groups. The Student’s t-test was conducted to evaluate whether the values of mean MOE in bending of two timbers are statistically different from each other. A total of 23 Malaysian hardwoods of different strength classes were assessed by comparing MOE value of one timber to the next. The assessment is limited to species of data obtained from at least 40 specimens and from at least 5 trees. However, more species can be added by conducting extra test based on the similar test procedure. The results showed that from 23 timbers evaluated, they fall into 6 different levels, indicating 6 different timber groups of similar MOE. The outcome is almost similar to the previous groupings done through different methods. The grouping will serves as a guideline for converting small size specimens’ data into the equivalent structural timber test values.

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