Methods are provided for estimating the dimensional stability of a wood
product from simple algebraic functions of moisture, shrinkage rates and
grain angles observed on outer surfaces. The methods may employ single or
multiple sensor group measurements. The quantitative relationship between
crook or bow stability and lengthwise shrinkage can be established using
mathematical operations, rather than sophisticated and complicated
finite-element modeling methods. In particular, the curvature of any
board length-segment or section, expressed as the second derivative of
the crook or bow profile, can be determined from a linear combination of
the shrinkage values of the coupons including that segment or section.
The overall crook or bow profile of the board can be determined from a
section-by-section double-integration of those second derivative values.