In-ground and above-ground service life prediction for timber reusability - Progressing towards circular construction

Abstract

The increasing demand for and consumption of wood requires special attention in order to keep the wood industry sustainable. Therefore, timber reuse is presented as a solution to control the demand side. Unfortunately, the perception of timber decay poses a major barrier for reuse practices. Therefore, this article presents a factorised service life prediction model for wooden components that aims to promote their reuse. The model is based on the Australian service life prediction model, Timberlife, and the European CLICKdesign model's dose-response model. It predicts the potential for reuse of timber components based on their expected and remaining service life. To determine the service life, the model includes factors that differentiate between wood species, soil characteristics, regional climate and how the investigated components are connected to other components. The presented model focuses on in-ground and above-ground fungal decay and is limited to northwestern Europe. Opportunities for further research include, e.g., a further investigation of the soil characteristics' influence on decay, and evaluating the lag time for regions outside northwestern Europe. The presented service life prediction model can increase awareness and support a circular construction industry.