The Grand Pacific Lumber Standard

Grand Pacific Lumber Standard (GPLS)

Draft Version 7.0 – Established March 14, 2025

Publisher: Grand Pacific Lumber Company (GPLCo)

Authority: Grand Pacific Lumber Board (GPLB)

Purpose: To create an exhaustive, transformative standard for softwood lumber, exceeding PS 20-10 and international norms in quality, engineering precision, technological integration, and global adaptability, rooted in 1980s timber abundance.

1. Scope

1.1 Applicability: Covers softwood species: Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta), Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii), Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), Alaska Yellow Cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis).

1.2 Uses: Structural (joists, beams, posts), appearance (siding, paneling), industrial (pallets, crates), specialty (marine, furniture, bridges).

1.3 Markets: Domestic (U.S., Canada), export (Japan, EU, Southeast Asia), seismic zones, heritage restoration.

1.4 Innovations: Combines 1980s robust sizing with AI grading, QR codes, and BIM integration.

1.6 Regulatory Integration: Complies with IBC/IRC (U.S.), CSA O86 (Canada), EN 338 (EU), JAS 600 (Japan).

1.7 Digital Integration: Blockchain-tracked provenance via GPLS platform (gplsstandards.org).

1.8 Performance Guarantee: 10% above spec minimums, 25-year structural warranty.

1.9 Circular Economy Focus: <5% waste via sawdust/offcut recycling into biomass or composites.

1.10 Open-Source Innovation: Biennial updates via industry collaboration.

2. Terminology

2.1 Core Definitions: Nominal size, actual size, grade, MOE (Modulus of Elasticity, MPa/psi), Fb (Bending Strength, MPa/psi), Fc (Compression Strength parallel to grain, MPa/psi), Fc⊥ (Compression perpendicular, MPa/psi), Ft (Tension parallel, MPa/psi), Fv (Shear Strength, MPa/psi), MOR (Modulus of Rupture, MPa/psi), wane, shake, check, warp, MC (Moisture Content, %), DBH (Diameter at Breast Height, mm/in).

2.2 New Terms:

• Pacific Titan: ≥610 mm (24") DBH, ≥30 rings/inch (1.18 rings/mm).

• Retro Cut: Oversized 1980s-inspired dimensions.

• Seismic Grade: Enhanced shear/stiffness for seismic design.

  
  

  2.3 Units: Dual imperial/metric (e.g., 2x4 = 50x90 mm).

  
  

  2.4 Simplified Terms: E.g., “Wane: Missing edge wood, like a bite taken out.”

  
  

  2.5 Visual Glossary: Appendix H with defect diagrams.

  
  

  2.6 Regional Variants: E.g., “Joist” (U.S.) = “Beam” (UK/Japan).

  
  

  2.7 Universal Symbols: ★★★★ (GPE), ★★★ (PS), ★★ (SE), ★ (BC).

  
  

  2.8 QR Codes: Each piece stamped with QR code linking to specs (e.g., MOE, Fb, MC, mill ID).

3. Classification of Lumber

3.1 By Size:

• Boards: 50 mm (2") thick (e.g., 2x4 / 50x90 mm).

• Dimension Lumber: 50-100 mm (2"-4") thick (e.g., 4x6 / 100x140 mm).

• Timbers: ≥100 mm (4") thick (e.g., 6x6 / 150x150 mm).

• Planks: 19-38 mm (0.75"-1.5") thick (e.g., 1x6 / 25x140 mm).

  
  

  3.2 By Use: Structural Light Framing (SLF), Structural Joists and Planks (SJP), Beams and Stringers (B&S), Posts and Timbers (P&T), Appearance (Clear A, Select B, Common C), Industrial (Economy, Stud, Utility).

  
  

  3.3 By Condition: Green (>22% MC), Dry (≤15% MC), Kiln-Dried (≤12% MC), Air-Dried (≤18% MC).

  
  

  3.4 By Finish: Rough-sawn, S4S, S2S, tongue-and-groove, shiplap, resawn, beaded.

  
  

  3.5 Custom Classifications: Mill-specific cuts (e.g., “GPLS Heritage Beams”).

  
  

  3.7 Grading Flexibility: Provisional Grade for R&D batches.

  
  

  3.8 Dynamic Grading: Climate-Adaptive Grade via GPLS app (adjusts specs by environment).

  
  

  3.9 Multi-Use Certification: E.g., “SE/Aesthetic” for dual-purpose.

4. Dimensional Standards

4.1 Boards (Nominal to Actual):

• 2x4: 50x90 mm / 3.5" x 2"

• 2x6: 50x140 mm / 5.5" x 2"

• 2x8: 50x190 mm / 7.5" x 2"

• 2x10: 50x240 mm / 9.5" x 2"

• 2x12: 50x290 mm / 11.5" x 2"

  
  

  4.2 Dimension Lumber:

• 4x4: 100x100 mm / 4" x 4"

• 4x6: 100x140 mm / 5.5" x 4"

• 4x8: 100x190 mm / 7.5" x 4"

• 4x12: 100x290 mm / 11.5" x 4"

  
  

  4.3 Timbers:

• 6x6: 150x150 mm / 6" x 6"

• 6x8: 150x190 mm / 7.5" x 6"

• 6x12: 150x290 mm / 11.5" x 6"

• 8x8: 200x200 mm / 8" x 8"

• 8x12: 200x290 mm / 11.5" x 8"

• 12x12: 300x300 mm / 12" x 12"

  
  

  4.4 Planks:

• 1x4: 19x90 mm / 3.5" x 0.75"

• 1x6: 19x140 mm / 5.5" x 0.75"

  
  

  4.5 Retro Cuts (Optional):

• 2x4 Retro: 57x100 mm / 4" x 2.25"

• 6x6 Retro: 160x160 mm / 6.25" x 6.25"

  
  

  4.6 Tolerances:

• Dry: ±1.5 mm (±1/16") thickness/width, ±3 mm (±1/8") length.

• Green: ±3 mm (±1/8") thickness/width, ±6 mm (±1/4") length.

  
  

  4.7 Lengths: 1.2 m to 9.6 m (4’ to 32’), 0.6 m (2’) increments; custom to 12 m (40’).

  
  

  4.8 Incremental Sizes: E.g., 2x5: 50x115 mm / 4.5" x 2"; 6x10: 150x240 mm / 9.5" x 6".

  
  

  4.10 Modular Design: Aligns with 1.2 m (4’) grids for prefab systems.

  
  

  4.11 Optimized Profiles: E.g., 2x8 I-Profile: 50x190 mm / 7.5" x 2", +20% Fb with notched flanges.

  
  

  4.12 Micro-Adjustable Sizes: Custom in 5 mm (0.2") increments (e.g., 2x4.2: 55x105 mm / 4.2" x 2.1").

  
  

  4.13 Strength-Stamped Lumber: Laser-etched MOE/Fb (e.g., “MOE 17.2 GPa, Fb 15.9 MPa”).

5. Grading Rules

5.1 General: Visual per GPLB, MSR per ASTM D1990, or hybrid; worst 1.2 m (4’) section applies; minimum 20 rings/inch (0.79 rings/mm) for structural grades.

5.2 Structural Grades:

• Grand Pacific Elite (GPE): Zero defects, 100% clear, platinum edge.

• Prime Select (PS): No knots, wane, or checks, gold edge.

• Structural Elite (SE): Knots ≤13 mm (0.5"), wane ≤5%, silver edge.

• Builder’s Choice (BC): Knots ≤25 mm (1"), wane ≤10%, bronze edge.

• Pacific Utility (PU): Knots ≤50 mm (2"), wane ≤15%, gray edge.

  
  

  5.3 Appearance Grades:

• Clear A: No defects.

• Select B: Pin knots ≤6 mm (0.25").

• Common C: Knots ≤38 mm (1.5").

  
  

  5.4 Defect Limits:

• Checks: ≤0.8 mm (1/32") GPE/PS/SE, ≤3 mm (1/8") BC/PU.

• Warp: Bow ≤6 mm (1/4") per 3.6 m (12’) GPE/PS/SE, ≤19 mm (3/4") PU.

• Shake: None GPE/PS/SE, ≤150 mm (6") BC/PU.

• Pitch Pockets: None GPE/PS/SE, ≤50 mm (2") BC/PU.

  
  

  5.5 Pacific Titan Designation: ≥610 mm (24") DBH, +10% strength values.

  
  

  5.6 Sub-Grades: E.g., SE-1 (knots ≤10 mm/0.4"), SE-2 (knots ≤13 mm/0.5").

  
  

  5.7 Aesthetic Structural: PS clarity + SE strength.

  
  

  5.8 Automated Grading: AI vision for GPE/PS/SE (knot detection, grain analysis).

  
  

  5.9 Predictive Grading: AI forecasts 50-year performance (e.g., warp resistance).

  
  

  5.10 Ultra-Premium Tier: GPE grade for critical applications.

  
  

  5.11 Color-Coded Grading: Platinum (GPE), Gold (PS), Silver (SE), Bronze (BC), Gray (PU).

  
  

6. Engineering Specifications

6.1 Design Values (Dry, ≤15% MC, Adjusted per NDS/ASTM D1990):

6.2 Span Tables (1.92 kPa/40 psf live, 0.48 kPa/10 psf dead, 405 mm/16" spacing):

6.3 Post Capacities (Axial Compression, kN/kip):

6.4 Seismic Enhancements:

• Shear Strength (Fv): +25% over PS 20-10 (e.g., GPE Fir: 1.38 MPa/200 psi vs. 1.03 MPa/150 psi).

• Lateral Load Resistance: 6x6 GPE resists 11.1 kN (2,500 lbs) at 4.9 m (16’), per ASCE 7-16.

• Connection Strength: Full-sized 4x4 boosts bolted joint capacity by 25% (AISC 360).

6.5 Environmental Adjustments:

• Temperature: -40°C (-40°F): +10% MOE (e.g., Fir GPE: 18,900 MPa/2.75M psi); +50°C (122°F): -5% Fb.

• Humidity: 90% RH: -5% Fb/Fc; 20% RH: +5% MOE.

• Shrinkage: Fir: 0.25% radial, 0.5% tangential per 1% MC change below 15%.

6.6 Load Duration Factors (NDS):

• Permanent (50+ years): 0.9 Fb/Fc.

• Normal (10 years): 1.0 Fb/Fc.

• Short-Term (10 min, wind): 1.15 Fb/Fc.

• Impact (1 sec): 1.25 Fb/Fc.

6.7 Fire Resistance:

• Char Rate: Fir 38 mm/hr (1.5"/hr), Cedar 35 mm/hr (1.4"/hr); nano-treated 25 mm/hr (1"/hr).

• Flame Spread Index: Fir 75 (Class B), Cedar 50 (Class B), per ASTM E84.

6.8 Thermal Conductivity:

• Fir: 0.15 W/m·K (0.11 Btu/ft·h·°F).

• Cedar: 0.11 W/m·K (0.08 Btu/ft·h·°F).

6.9 Durability:

• Cedar: +30% decay resistance (Class 1, AWPA).

• Fir: +10% (Class 2).

• Nano-Treatment Option: +50% fire resistance, +20% decay resistance.

6.10 Integrated Design System: GPLS Design Suite (Revit plug-in) auto-calculates sizes/grades for loads, spans, seismic zones.

6.11 Extreme Conditions Rating:

• Arctic (-40°C): Fir GPE MOE 18,900 MPa (2.75M psi).

• Desert (+50°C): Cedar PU Fb 6.6 MPa (950 psi).

  
  

  6.12 Case Studies:

• Seismic: 6x6 SE, 4.3 m (14’), 13.3 kN (3,000 lbs) lateral in Magnitude 7.0 sim.

• Bridge: 8x8 GPE, 7.3 m (24’) span, 29.2 kN/m (2,000 plf).

7. Workmanship

7.1 Surfacing: Rough, S4S, S2S, tongue-and-groove, shiplap, resawn, beaded.

7.2 Defect Treatment: Knots ≤25 mm (1") filled (epoxy optional); torn grain ≤1.5 mm (1/16").

7.3 Packaging: Weatherproof wrapping, bundled by grade/size.

7.4 Finishing Options: Pre-staining, pre-drilling, CNC profiling.

7.5 Defect Repair: Self-healing UV-hardening polymer for checks ≤6 mm (1/4").

7.6 QA: Random 1% sampling per lot for smoothness/accuracy.

7.7 Modular Connectors: Pre-drilled 100 mm (4") bolt patterns.

7.8 Self-Healing Repairs: Polymer fill hardens in 10 min under UV.

7.9 Aesthetic Customization: Laser-engraved patterns (e.g., faux grain).

8.Measurement

8.1 Board Foot/m³: (T x W x L) / 12 (imperial); m³ = (T x W x L) x 0.000235 (metric).

• 8x8 x 4.9 m (16’) = 85.33 bf / 0.2 m³.

  
  

  8.2 Weight Tables:

• 6x6 Fir: 0.19 kg/m (12.5 lbs/ft) dry.

• 8x8 Cedar: 0.15 kg/m (10 lbs/ft) dry.

  
  

  8.3 Moisture Testing: ASTM D4442, ±0.5% accuracy; GPE/PS with embedded sensors.

  
  

  8.4 Digital Measurement: QR codes link to exact specs.

  
  

  8.5 Shrinkage Predictors: Fir: 0.25% radial, 0.5% tangential; Cedar: 0.20% radial, 0.45% tangential.

  
  

  8.6 Real-Time MC Monitoring: Sensors in GPE/PS, synced to GPLS app.

  
  

  8.7 Strength-to-Weight Index: Fir GPE: 130 N/kg; Cedar PU: 90 N/kg.

9. Inspection and Certification

9.1 Agencies: GPLB-approved (e.g., Pacific Timber Inspection, West Coast Lumber Bureau).

9.2 Marking: E.g., “DF-GPE-17.2G-15.9-11.0-GPL123” + QR code to specs.

9.3 Quality Control: 5% sampling, ≤1% off-grade; weekly digital logs on GPLS portal.

9.4 Decentralized Oversight: Regional GPLB sub-boards (e.g., GPLB-West).

9.5 Real-Time Reporting: Accessible via gplsstandards.org.

9.6 Feedback Loop: User defect reporting portal.

9.7 Global Certification: Dual-cert with JAS, EN, ISO via partnerships.

9.8 Augmented Reality QA: AR glasses for defect scans, +20% accuracy.

9.9 Lifetime Traceability: 50-year blockchain records.

10. Comparison to Standards

10.1 PS 20-10: 6x6 (150x150 mm) vs. 140x140 mm: +35% Fc (11.0 vs. 7.9 MPa).

10.2 NLGA: Exceeds Fb by 20% (e.g., SE 12.4 MPa vs. 10.3 MPa).

10.3 ISO 9709: GPE > C50 (MOE 17.2G vs. 15.2G MPa).

10.4 JAS: +15% strength over JAS 600.

10.5 Benchmarks: 6x6 GPE vs. PS 20-10: 75 kN (17 kip) vs. 51 kN (11.5 kip).

10.6 Cost-Benefit: 15% fewer 2x8s for spans (e.g., 5.8 m vs. 4.9 m).

10.7 Interoperability: Guides for CLT, steel, concrete systems.

10.8 Simulations: VR quake demos on gplsstandards.org.

10.9 Upgrade Path: Trade-in program for PS 20-10 lumber.

11. Appendices

A: Species Tables – Full stress-strain curves, MOE/Fb/Fc/Fc⊥/Ft/Fv/MOR by species/grade.

B: Span Tables – 3D CAD models, all sizes/grades, downloadable.

C: Seismic Design – Retrofit kits (bolts + plates), shear wall designs, Magnitude 7.0 case study.

D: Metric Charts – mm to μm tolerances, dual-marked sizes.

E: Workmanship Visuals – 3D defect models, video repair tutorials.

F: Environmental Metrics – Embodied energy (e.g., Fir 2 MJ/kg), thermal conductivity.

G: Design Examples – 3-story frame, bridge span, seismic retrofit.

H: Tech Integration – AR QA, QR code specs, BIM plug-in guide.