Sources of Confusion in the Determination of ASTM Repetitive Member Factors for the Allowable Properties of Wood Products

It is generally accepted that there should be an upward repetitive member allowable property adjustment. ASTM D245 (2011c) and ASTM D1990 (2011b) specify a 1.15 factor for allowable bending stress. This factor is also listed in ASTM D6555 (2011a, Table 1). In this technical note, sources of confusion regarding appropriate repetitive member factors are identified. This confusion casts some doubt on the validity of the 1.15 value.