| A method was developed to evaluate a new resource as component material for lumber based engineered wood products (EWPs) to maximize the economic value of the source material. This method is unique in that it considers resource quality to maximize the total value of the resource supply. An integrated operation is modeled to provide a linkage between logs sawn into lumber, and lumber manufactured into EWPs. The developed method is demonstrated using a case study whereby Acer rubrum L. is evaluated as flanges for wood I-joists and laminates for glued laminated timber beams. Additionally, the concept of separating sapwood, for appearance products, from heartwood, for EWPs, is evaluated as part of maximizing log supply value. A Monte Carlo simulation model, which models log geometry and lumber quality variation, is used in conjunction with a mixed integer linear program which generates an optimal combination of predefined EWPs that maximizes total revenue. |
