Duration of load effects in lumber. Part III: Code considerations

The implications for practical structural design with wood of a visco-elastic fracture mechanics model, recently developed and verified experimentally by the authors, are presented. These are compared with those of the presently used Madison concept, and with those of the cumulative damage models. Following discussion of present practice and the consequences of the fracture mechanics model, specific design recommendations are made as to how this more complicated model might be incorporated into design codes.