In Situ Visual Strength Grading

Timber visual strength grading will determine the strength class of timber components in a range of buildings and structures.

BM TRADA timber consultants provide indicative visual strength grading of softwoods and hardwoods in situ and provide the appropriate strength class that our, or a client’s, structural engineers can use for structural calculations.

Timber visual strength grading services

We carry out indicative in situ visual strength grading on timbers in a broad assortment of structures including:

• Historic, listed and modern buildings
• Bridges and walkways
• Railway infrastructure
• Marine environments - docks, jetties, piers and coastal defenses
• Cooling towers and communication masts
• MOD and nuclear industry infrastructure.

The timber visual strength grading work is carried out by our experienced consultants who are trained and qualified visual strength graders. They are able to use either British Standards or a wide range of internationally recognized grading standards depending on the objectives and requirements of the client.

Justification of the strength of structural timber is often a requirement of Building Control, particularly where a change of use in a historic or ‘older’ building is being planned.

In situ grading is often carried out at the same time as condition surveys.

Changes to the loads applied to a structure may result in some timber members requiring a higher strength class than is achievable by the conventional standards. With the aid of other non-destructive techniques, our consultants are sometimes able to achieve a higher strength class by using our technical expertise and knowledge of how structures work. This can result in significant cost and time savings rather than carrying out strengthening work which may not be required.