Abstract: A method of estimating the strength of a wooden support wherein gamma rays (4) are transmitted and detected parallel to a neutral axis (5) through a cross section of the support. It also includes a method of locating regions of unsound wood in a wooden support using detection of transmitted gamma rays (4), as well as apparatus suitable for conducting both methods.

Abstract: A method of estimating the strength of a wooden support wherein gamma rays (4) are transmitted and detected parallel to a neutral axis (5) through a cross section of the support. It also includes a method of locating regions of unsound wood in a wooden support using detection of transmitted gamma rays (4), as well as apparatus suitable for conducting both methods.

Abstract: A method of estimating the strength of a wooden support wherein gamma rays (4) are transmitted and detected parallel to a neutral axis (5) through a cross section of the support. It also includes a method of locating regions of unsound wood in a wooden support using detection of transmitted gamma rays (4), as well as apparatus suitable for conducting both methods.

Abstract: A method of estimating the strength of a wooden support wherein gamma rays (4) are transmitted and detected parallel to a neutral axis (5) through a cross section of the support. It also includes a method of locating regions of unsound wood in a wooden support using detection of transmitted gamma rays (4), as well as apparatus suitable for conducting both methods.

Abstract: A system for sorting green lumber into groups for drying includes a striking device arranged to provide an impact on one end of a piece of lumber. A vibration sensor is arranged to detect vibrations in the piece of lumber caused by the impact on the piece of lumber by the striking device. A computation device is configured to determine the acoustic velocity of the piece of lumber from the detected vibrations and a length of the piece of lumber. An indication device provides an indication of a one of the drying groups for the piece of lumber based on the determined acoustic velocity. Alternatively, the indication device may be a bin sorter that receives a signal from the computation device and sorts the lumber into a one of the groups in response to the signal, for example.

Abstract: A method of estimating the strength of a wooden support wherein gamma rays (4) are transmitted and detected parallel to a neutral axis (5) through a cross section of the support. It also includes a method of locating regions of unsound wood in a wooden support using detection of transmitted gamma rays (4), as well as apparatus suitable for conducting both methods.