Optimal Lumber Production from Softwood Sawlogs

Abstract

This problem deals with the maximization of the "value recovery number" for the processing of raw logs at sawmills in British Columbia. This quantity has the units of dollars per cubic metre, and is defined as the dollar value of usable lumber produced divided by the volume of raw material processed. Sawmills in the interior of British Columbia are of particular interest because the logs processed there are typically of small diameter and the current volume recovered is low, typically 45% to 55%.