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 CI/SfB Rj
May 1997

dıgest The structural use

of wood-based
panels
Digest
423
A commentary on the changes
ahead with European
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standardisation

This Digest discusses
available approaches to
structural design with wood-
based panels.
UK practice is currently
regulated by British
Standards but European
standards will come into
force by January 2004.
This Digest explains the
differences between the
European and the UK
approach, and the impact
that the adoption of
European standards will have
on UK standards and
practice. It gives timescales
for the phases
of change and information on
options available to the
designer at each stage.
Designers will be able to
determine how structural
design will be affected by the
adoption of European
standards and codes.

The current UK situation Designing and using wood-based panels structurally: the approach
– page 2 Two routes are normally open to those wanting to design and use wood-
based panels structurally:
● designing using approved stress and modulus values;
From January 1998 to January
● the production of prototypes for testing (design by testing).
2004
– page 4 The advantage of using already derived stress and modulus values for
particular types and grades of material is the freedom in design this allows.
After January 2004 These design stress and modulus values are different from the property
values given in material specification documents in that they contain built-in
safeguards providing assurance and confidence in the resulting design; this
approach may result in an increased use of material, though this can be
avoided by taking the alternative route of prototype testing of a design unit.
However, this is a highly specific approach, as only the structure used in the
prototype testing is approved. Prototype testing is expensive, but may be
appropriate and economical only where large volumes of a standardised unit
are to be produced.
Both approaches are set out in Standards and Codes of practice. To
enable free trade within the European Community, documents have been
developed covering product specifications (European Standards) and design
procedures (Eurocodes) for the structural use of certain wood-based
materials. Some European documents have been published and adopted,
more are due; they combine those of all member states and inevitably
contain some differences to the British Standards and Codes.
This Digest clarifies the position for the structural use of wood-based
panels. It describes how the use of wood-based panels may change in the
next ten years. It also sets out the role of BRE in the European scene. It
should be regarded as a commentary on the changing scene; work is still on
hand on certain issues which require a solution by 2004.
 2

The changing scene

The current UK situation
Designing with stress and modulus values currently uses the grade
stresses and moduli and the modification factors for timber and certain
wood-based panels given in BS 5268: Part 2: 1996 and Part 6: 1996.
These values are based on the concept of permissible stresses and are
presented for structural grade plywood, tempered hardboard
(to BS 1142: 1989, grade TE) and chipboard (to BS 5669: Part 2: 1989,
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grade C5).
The alternative approach of prototype testing is also addressed in
BS 5268. Part 2: 1996 deals with general design and construction;
Part 6: 1996 is concerned with the racking resistance of wall panels.
Chipboard of grade C4(M) has already been tested with standard floor
designs for domestic flooring. The ratios of board thickness to joist
spacing for various uniform distributed loads and point loads so derived
(BS 5669: Part 5: 1993) means that C4(M) grade can be used without
prototype testing for specific conditions and loadings. However, if
dynamic loading or punching shear will occur in the structural use of
C4(M) chipboard, prototype testing must be done (BS 5268: Part 2 and BS
5669: Part 1).
Table 1 shows a summary of the current UK situation.

Table 1 The current UK situation

Structural design by calculation Structural design by prototype testing
using permissible stress design
with grade stresses

Structural grades (types) listed Structural grades (types) listed

in the material specifications in the material specifications
plywood BS 5268: Part 2 plywood BS 5268: Part 2
chipboard BS 5669: Part 2, grade C5 chipboard BS 5669: Part 2, grade C4(M), C5
hardboard BS 1142, grade TE hardboard BS 1142, grade TE
Derivation of duration of load and
creep factors for chipboard
BS 5669: Part 1
Design codes Prototype testing
BS 6399 test methods
BS 5268: Part 2 flooring BS 5268: Part 2, BS 5669: Part 1
Grade stresses roofing BS 5268: Part 2, BS 5669: Part 1
BS 5268: Part 2 sheathing BS 5268: Part 6
Duration of load factor specifications
BS 5268: Part 2 flooring BS 5669: Part 5
roofing BS 5669: Part 5
sheathing BS 5268: Part 6, BS 5669: Part 5
 3

European standards and Eurocodes

A designer who wants to use the alternative limit and serviceability state
design approach with timber or wood-based panels for structural
elements, must consult Eurocode 1 and Eurocode 5. Eurocode 1 sets out
the ‘loadings’ for specific use categories; Eurocode 5 addresses structural
design in timber and wood-based panels. Values for the structural
properties, called structural characteristic values, for use with Eurocode
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5 are given in separate documents; EN 12369 contains those for wood-

based panels.
To use the prototype testing route, compliance with certain
performance specifications must be shown.
Wood-based panels used in structural design must first comply with the
appropriate grade (type) of the relevant material specification. European
material specifications are due to be published during 1997 . The types of
grades contained in these are not exactly the same as those contained in
the current British Standards. A major difference exists in the way the
quality requirements are set. British Standards contain requirements
based on the mean value, and those in the European Standards are based
on the 5th percentile (95% of the test results must be greater than the given
value) and are known as material characteristic values. The values given
in the European material specifications are therefore lower than those in
the corresponding British specifications. However, the quality needed to
meet the new requirements is not necessarily lower.
The values contained in these material specifications are for quality
control and compliance assessment. They must not be used for structural
calculations since they do not account for long-term or any other load-
duration effects.
New standards relating to the structural use of wood-based panels are
listed in References on page 7.
 4
January 1998 to January 2004
During this six-year period, the existing UK system (permissible
stresses) will run alongside the new European system (limit state
design). This transitional phase will allow designers to familiarise
themselves with the new system before it becomes mandatory around
January 2004. Early use of the new system, perhaps in parallel with the
current system but not combined, is to be encouraged since this will
enable designers to contribute to the final revision of Eurocode 5 set
for the end of this interim phase.
Table 2 shows the two options available to the designer.
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Option 1 – see Table 2A

Essentially, this is the existing UK system based
on permissible stress design using grade stresses.
The grade stresses for plywoods are given in BS
5268: Part 2: 1996 and have been obtained by
converting the structural characteristic values in
EN 12369 for each of the new European grades
(types) of boards. Adoption of this approach
allows the designer to use familiar engineering
theory with the new European grades of product
which will appear on the UK market towards the
end of 1997.
These new ‘converted’ grade stresses for
timber and plywood have been published in the
1996 revision of BS 5268 Part 2. A future
amendment to BS 5268 Part 2 will include the
converted grade stresses for all the structural
grades of chipboard and oil-tempered hardboard;
it may also include values for OSB.
Grade stresses in BS 5668: Part 2 are long-
term stresses and may be increased for shorter
periods of loading.
Prototype testing can still be done using
BS 5268 Parts 2 and 6 and, for punching shear,
BS 5669 Part 1.

Table 2A The interim UK position (July 1997 – January 2004) – Option 1: modified UK
Structural design by calculation Structural design by prototype testing
using permissible stress design
with grade stresses

Structural grades (types) listed in the material specifications

plywood EN 636: Part 1, 2, 3 (but only those grades in BS 5268: Part 2)
chipboard EN 312, type P7
hardboard EN 622: Part 2
Derivation of duration of load and
creep factors for chipboard
BS 5669: Part 1
Design codes: Prototype testing
BS 6399 test methods
BS 5268: Part 2 flooring BS 5268: Part 2, BS 5669: Part 1
Grade stresses roofing BS 5268: Part 2, BS 5669: Part 1
BS 5268: Part 2 sheathing BS 5268: Part 6
(and in an amendment to be published) specifications
Duration of load factors flooring BS 5669: Part 5*
BS 5268: Part 2 roofing BS 5669: Part 5*
sheathing BS 5268 Part 6, BS 5669: Part 5*
* or its replacement

Option 2 – see Table 2B
This is the new European system based on limit
state design using structural characteristic values
defined as the lower 5th percentile.
Structural characteristic values have been
derived from a limited amount of testing and the
factoring of existing material specification
property values for wood-based panels with a
proven history of structural design. Differences
in test methods and quality levels between the
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5
is because both strength and stiffness of panel
products (along with timber and many other
materials) decrease markedly with time under
load. Strength reduction is quantified
experimentally by a duration of load factor
(Kmod), and stiffness loss by a creep factor (Kdef).
Values of these factors are included in Eurocode
5 for the different Service Classes (combinations
of temperature and relative humidity for set
periods). Alternatively, they can be derived

new European specifications and existing
National specifications had to be accounted for.
Consequently, the structural characteristic values
set out in EN 12369 yield a conservative design,
especially for chipboard and tempered
hardboard.
Newer wood-based panels (such as OSB,
MDF and cement bonded particleboard) will
have to undergo structural testing according to
EN 1058 and EN 789. Manufacturers of panel
products with a proven history of structural use
may also have their products tested using these
test procedures to obtain higher representative
structural characteristic values. In both cases, the
structural characteristic values will be set out in
the manufacturers literature.
All characteristic values must be reduced to
account for the effect of time under load. This
experimentally using ENV1156. The factors are
applied to the characteristic values (short-term
performance) to reduce them for the effects of
time under load.
The alternative approach of prototype testing
(now being called performance testing) may be
adopted. Test procedures, and requirements, are
set out in a series of specifications for the
principal end uses of flooring, roofing, and wall
sheathing. These requirements include the
application of the time modification factors Kmod
and Kdef . It is not yet clear how the UK
requirement for punching shear in chipboard
flooring will be accommodated in the new
European performance standard for flooring.

Table 2B The interim UK position (July 1997 – January 2004) – Option 2: European
Structural design by calculation Structural design by prototype
using limit state design (performance) testing
with structural characteristic values

Structural grades (types) listed in the material specifications

plywood EN 636: Part 1, 2, 3
chipboard EN 312, type P4, P5, P6, P7
OSB EN 300, type OSB/2, OSB/3, OSB/4
MDF EN 622: Part 5
medium board EN 622: Part 3
hardboard EN 622: Part 2
Derivation of structural characteristic values
for new products
EN 789
EN 1058
Derivation of duration of load and creep factors
ENV 1156
Design codes Prototype (performance) testing
Eurocode 1 test methods
Eurocode 5 (+ National Application Document) flooring EN 1195
Structural characteristic values roofing EN TC112.419-3
(established products) sheathing EN 594, 596
EN 12369 specifications
Duration of load and creep factors flooring EN TC112.418-1, -2
Eurocode 5 roofing EN TC112.419-1, -2
sheathing EN TC112.420-1, -2
Duration of load and creep factors
Eurocode 5
 6
After January 2004
The interim measure will end with the formal withdrawal of the UK
system about this time. Afterwards, only the European approach using
limit state design will be acceptable – see Table 3.

Table 3 The future (post-January 2004) UK/European position

Structural design by calculation Structural design by prototype
using limit state design (performance) testing
with structural characteristic values
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Structural grades (types) listed in the material specifications

plywood EN 636: Part 1, 2, 3
chipboard EN 312, type P4, P5, P6, P7
OSB EN 300, type OSB/2; OSB/3; OSB/4
MDF EN 622: Part 5
medium board EN 622: Part 3
hardboard EN 622: Part 2
Derivation of structural characteristic values
for new products
Derivation of duration of load and creep factors
ENV 1156
Design codes Prototype (performance) testing
Eurocode 1 test methods
Eurocode 5 flooring EN 1195
Structural characteristic values for roofing EN TC112.419-3
established products sheathing EN 594, 596
EN 12369 specifications
Duration of load and creep factors flooring EN TC112.418-1, -2
Eurocode 5 roofing EN TC112.419-1, -2
sheathing EN TC112.420-1, -2
Duration of load and creep factors
Eurocode 5
 References
Material specifications
British Standards
BS1142: 1989 Specification for fibre building
boards
BS 5669:— Particleboard
Part 1: 1989Methods of sampling, conditioning and
test
Part 2: 1989Specification for wood chipboard
Part 3: 1992Specification for oriented strand board
(OSB)
Part 4: 1989Specification for cement bonded
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particleboard
BS 6566:— Plywood
Part 1: 1985Specification for construction of panels
and characteristics of plies including
marking
Part 2: 1985Glossary of terms
Part 3: 1985Specification for acceptance levels for
post-manufacture batch testing including
sampling
Part 4: 1985Specification for tolerances on the
dimensions of plywood panels
Part 5: 1985Specification for moisture content
Part 6: 1985Specification for limits of defects for the
classification of plywood for appearance
Part 7: 1985Specification for classification of
resistance to fungal attack and wood borer
attack
Part 8: 1985Specification for bond performance of
veneer plywood.
European Standards
EN 300 Oriented strand boards (OSB) – Definitions,
classifications and specifications
EN 312 Particleboards – Specifications
Part 1: General requirements for all board types
Part 2: Requirements for general purpose boards for
use in dry conditions
Part 3: Requirements for boards for use in interior
fitments (including furniture) for use in dry
conditions
Part 4: Requirements for load-bearing boards for use in
dry conditions
Part 5: Requirements for load-bearing boards for use in
humid conditions
Part 6: Requirements for heavy duty loadbearing
boards for use in dry conditions
Part 7: Requirements for heavy-duty loadbearing
boards for use in humid conditions
EN 622 Fibreboards – Specifications
Part 1: General requirements
Part 2: Requirements for hardboards
Part 3: Requirements for medium boards
Part 4: Requirements for softboards
Part 5: Requirements for dry process boards
EN 634 Cement-bonded particleboards – Specifications
Part 1: General requirements
Part 2: Requirements for OPC bonded particleboards
for use in dry, humid and exterior conditions
EN 636 Plywood – Specifications
Part 1: Plywood for use in dry conditions
Part 2: Plywood for use in humid conditions
Part 3: Plywood for use in exterior conditions
Design Codes and related Standards
British Standards
BS 5268:— Structural use of timber
Part 2: 1996Code of practice for permissible stress
7
design, materials and workmanship
Part 6: 1996Code of practice for timber frame walls
Section 6.1 Dwellings not exceeding four storeys
BS 6399:— Loading for buildings
Part 1: 1984Code of practice for dead and imposed
loads
Part 3: 1988Code of practice for imposed roof loads
European Standards
ENV 1991-1 Basis of design and actions on structures
EUROCODE 1 Part 1 Basis of design
ENV 1991-2-1 Basis of design and actions on structures
EUROCODE 1 Part 2-1 Action on structures. Densities,
self weight and imposed loads
ENV 1995-1-1:1994 Design of timber structures
EUROCODE 5 Part 1-1 General rules, and rules for
buildings (together with United Kingdom National
Application Document)
EN 789 Timber Structures
Testing of wood-based panels for the determination of
mechanical properties for structural purposes
EN 1058 Wood-based panels
Determination of characteristic values of mechanical
properties and density
EN 1156 Wood-based panels
Determination of duration of load and creep factors
EN 12369 Wood-based panels
Characteristic values for established products
Performance testing (Prototype testing)
British Standards
BS 5268:— Structural use of timber
Part 2 (revised) 1996 Code of practice for permissible
stress design, materials and workmanship
Part 6: 1996Code of practice for timber frame walls
Section 6.1 Dwellings not exceeding four storeys
BS 5669:— Particleboard
Part 1: 1989Methods of sampling, conditioning and
test
Part 5: 1993Code of practice for the selection and
application of particleboards for specific
purposes
European Standards
EN 594 Timber structures. Timber framed walls
Test for racking strength and stiffness of structural wall
panels
EN 596 Timber structures. Timber framed walls
Soft body impact test
EN 1995 Timber structures
The testing of structural floor decking
EN 112.418 Wood-based panels
Structural floor decking on joists
Part 1: Performance specifications
Part 2: Performance requirements
EN 112.419 Wood-based panels
Structural wall sheathing on studs
Part 1: Performance specifications
Part 2: Performance requirements
EN 112.420 Wood-based panels
Structural roof decking on joists
Part 1: Performance specifications
Part 2: Performance requirements
Part 3: Performance test method
EN 112.421 Wood-based panels
Guidance for structural panel installation
Part 1: Flooring
Part 2: Wall sheathing
Part 3: Roofs
 8
Role of BRE
For many decades, BRE has been an active
participant in the formulation of British
standards. Its involvement with European
standards in wood-based panels began over nine
years ago with the first meeting of the CEN
Technical Committee responsible for the
European Standardisation of these products
(CEN TC112). BRE, along with other UK and
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European institutes, has been deeply involved
with many aspects of the work of this committee.
The contribution of BRE encompasses:
● Participation in panel product committee
work
Member of the CEN TC112 Plenary
Committee and seven other Working Groups
or Ad Hoc Groups. Convenor of WG4 on test
methodology, and the Liaison Group between
the technical committees on board materials
(112) and on timber structures (124). Joint
convenor of WG6 on cement bonded
particleboard. Technical Secretary to the
Performance Group.
BRE is currently also a very active member of
the relevant BS mirror committees of CEN. It
has produced the mathematical conversion to
grade stresses of data relating to the structural
characteristic values for the new European
grades of wood-based panels. This was
necessary to allow permissible stress design to
be applied to the new grades for the interim
period described above.
● Drafting of specifications
Following preliminary discussion in a
Working Group, the initial drafting of a new
specification is undertaken by one member of
the group. Of the eighty specifications for
panel products, BRE has undertaken the
drafting and revision of at least sixteen.
● Experimental testing
The development of new test procedures, and
the evaluation of proposed changes in
specifications, has required a comprehensive
testing programme.
Technical enquiries to: Digests Construction Research
BRE Advisory Service Good Building Guides Communications Ltd,
Garston, Watford, Good Repair Guides 151 Rosebery Avenue
WD2 7JR Information Papers London, EC1R 4QX. E-mail:
Telephone 01923 664664 are available on subscription. crc@construct.emap.co.uk
Facsimile 01923 664098 For current prices please Telephone 0171 505 6622
contact: Facsimile 0171 505 6606
Conclusion
The new standards (BS ENs) for the structural
use of board materials are currently being
published. They will soon be adopted for use
alongside British Standards for a limited interim
period. New European grades (types) of products
will replace existing BS grades (types) on the UK
market during 1997.
Thereafter, for a period of about six years,
structural design can be done using either the
new Eurocode 5 (limit state design) or
BS 5268: Part 2 (permissible stress design). The
BS uses grade stresses for the new European
grades which have been mathematically
converted from structural characteristic values
for these new grades. Designers must familiarise
themselves with the new European system which
will replace the modified UK system around
January 2004.
BRE has played a significant role in the
development of the new European
standardisation for wood-based panels. This is
demonstrated in the formulation of European
policy, the drafting of standards and the testing of
their workability.
Other BRE Digests
323 Selecting wood-based panel products
373 Wood chipboard
375 Wood-based panel products: their contribution to
the conservation of forest resources
400 Oriented strand board
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