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Running Versaverter 3.0.0.178 with Knowledge Base  2.2.0.0 on Win98.
I think I have found some errors in the Lumber Volume section.

1.  Versaverter shows 1 cubic foot = 71.9999999 board feet
This is incorrect.  A board foot is defined as the volume contained in the measure 1in thick x 12 in long x 12 in wide (1" x 12" x 12"), net measure.  There are, therefore, exacty 12 board feet in 1 cubic foot.

The reverse calucation is also wrong.
Versaverter shows 1 bf = 0.01388888889 ft3.
The correct answer is 1bf = 0.0833333 ft3.  (1 divided by 12 = 0.0833333)

2.  Versaverter shows 1 mbf = 13176 bf.  Incorrect.
By definition 1mbf (1000 board feet) = 1000.00 bf.

3.  Versaverter shows 1 yd3 = 1944 bf.  Incorrect.
1yd3 = 27 ft3 = 324 bf.

4.  Versaverter shows 1m3 = 2542.656004 bf.  Incorrect.
1m3 = 35.31466672 ft3 = 423.77599 bf.

5. Versaverter shows 1 ch (standard cord) = 9216.000001 bf.  Incorrect.
The legal unit of firewood measurement is the standard cord--a pile of wood stacked 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long with a total volume of 128 cubic feet. (Stacked neatly by placing the wood in a line or a row, with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other, making sure that the wood is compact and has as few gaps as possible.)
The actual volume of wood in such a pile depends on the size the size and straightness of pieces and how they are split, but usually averages about 2/3 actual wood and 1/3 void space.
The actual wood volume in board feet therefore should be calculated as 128ft3 x .6666 = 85.3248 ft3 of actual wood.
85.3248 ft3 x 12 = 1023.8976 bf of actual wood.

In reality we would very seldom, if ever, convert from cords to board feet.
Board feet is a LUMBER (sawn lumber) measure and cord is a FIREWOOD measure, so firewood calcualtions should be in a separate catagory.
The cord conversions we would be interested in would be:
Cord to actual wood volume in cubic meters.
1 cord = 2.413092 m3 aprox of actual wood.
Cord to actual wood volume in cubic feet.
1 cord = 85.3248 ft3 aprox of actual wood.
These are the conversions we would use for calculating the amount of energy in a cord of firewood.
For calculating volume of firewood purchased or sold we would use the standard of 1 cord = 128 ft3.

6.  The lumber section has conversions for Cord of Softwood and Cord of Hardwood.  I am not aware of any measurement distinctions used in the trade for these two types of firewood.  I suggest you eliminate these 2 catagories.
Anyway, the conversions are wrong.
Versaverter shows 1 cord of hardwood = 5.763888888 ft3
Versaverter shows 1 cord of softwood = 5.763888888 ft3
Both should be equal to 128 ft3.

7.  These errors may effect some of the other conversions in the Lumber Volume section.

Richard A. James

Thanks Richard - I´ll look into this and get the data file updated...

I´m concerned that there may be different definitions though - because I have some other emails from people indicating that what is there now is correct - and they quote fairly different definitions that you mention here.

- Ah, gotta love non-uniform-defn´s

;)