Abstract
Assessment of “Uso Fiume” Larch Beams Production in the Sawmilling Industry of Aosta Valley Region – Northwestern Italy
Highlights
Structural timber is subjected to the dispositions of the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and since January 2012 it can be placed on the market only if CE marked; structural timber with irregular section, such as Uso Fiume (UF) beams, shall be graded on the basis of a specific procedure named European Technical Assessment (ETA)
UF beams made of larch (Larix decidua Mill.) wood can be CE marked according to ETA – 11/0219
According to CPR, structural timber with rectangular cross section shall be classified in conformity with EN 14081-1 and assigned to a strength class included in the EN 338
Summary
The EU Regulation No 305/2011 (CPR, acronym for Construction Products Regulation) lays down harmonized conditions for marketing of construction products within the European Union. Structural timber with irregular cross section is not considered neither by the EN 14081-1 nor by other harmonized standards In this case the CPR envisages the possibility of placing the CE marking only if a European Technical Assessment (ETA) has been released for the specific product. Uso Fiume larch beams are traditionally used by the Aosta Valley sawmilling industry for producing wooden carpentry) Their cost is lower compared to that of larch beams with regular sections, due to higher transformation yields. Inclusion of larch wood in ETA – 11/0219 is a relevant factor for sawmills located in the Aosta Valley, where this wood species is widespread: larch stands cover 44.528 ha and constitute 45 % of the regional forest surface (INFC, 2005) In this context the present work aims to analyze the characteristics of UF larch beams production in the above Region of Northwestern Italy. The survey gave a picture of this production reality; considerations for similar cases in other Italian or European Regions can be drawn from the outcomes of the study
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