Timber Strength Class C14: Properties and Uses
Strength class C14 timber carries a characteristic bending strength of 14 newtons per square millimeter. These are the numbers structural design starts from.
Characteristic bending strength: 14 N/mm²
| Strength class | C14 |
| Characteristic bending strength | 14 N/mm² |
| Mean elastic modulus | 7 GPa |
| Characteristic density | 290 kg per cubic meter |
| Typical source | lower grade softwoods |
Notes for design and site
C14 is the entry class for graded structural softwood, common in pallets promoted to light duty and in short span battens. Deflection rules its life: with a mean modulus of just 7 gigapascals, stiffness runs out long before strength on most spans, so C14 members end up sized by serviceability.
Related Calculators and Reference
- Property Library: the full materials reference on this site.
- Bill of Quantities Builder: price the timber package properly.
- Eurocodes at the JRC: the design standards behind these classes.