Modelling the Material Resistance of Wood—Part 1: Utilizing Durability Test Data Based on Different Reference Wood Species

Gry Alfredsen,Brendan N Marais,Katrin Zimmer,Robert F A Stein,Miha Humar,Christian Brischke

doi:10.3390/f12050558

Gry Alfredsen, Brendan N Marais + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/f12050558

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Abstract

To evaluate the performance of new wood-based products, reference wood species with known performances are included in laboratory and field trials. However, different wood species vary in their durability performance, and there will also be a within-species variation. The primary aim of this paper was to compare the material resistance against decay fungi and moisture performance of three European reference wood species, i.e., Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Wood material was collected from 43 locations all over Europe and exposed to brown rot (Rhodonia placenta), white rot (Trametes versicolor) or soft rot fungi. In addition, five different moisture performance characteristics were analyzed. The main results were the two factors accounting for the wetting ability (kwa) and the inherent protective properties of wood (kinh), factors for conversion between Norway spruce vs. Scots pine sapwood or European beech for the three decay types and four moisture tests, and material resistance dose (DRd) per wood species. The data illustrate that the differences between the three European reference wood species were minor, both with regard to decay and moisture performance. The results also highlight the importance of defined boundaries for density and annual ring width when comparing materials within and between experiments. It was concluded that with the factors obtained, existing, and future test data, where only one or two of the mentioned reference species were used, can be transferred to models and prediction tools that use another of the reference species.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilRobust integrated performance classification of wood products and structures is based on the whole set of external parameters—the foundation established for decay, material and integrity aspects, aesthetic limits and performance, and termite/insect performance aspects.The European ForestValue research project CLICKdesign brings together into a unique single software tool diverse models and performance databases associated with decay and integrity, aesthetic function, and termite performance [1]
For predicting the field performance of wood-based materials, the material resistance dose (DRd ) needs to be determined to verify the design condition according to Equation (1)
The wood materials were provided by different research institutions and industry partners, plus frozen Scots pine sapwood material from Zimmer et al [21]

Summary

Introduction

Robust integrated performance classification of wood products and structures is based on the whole set of external parameters—the foundation established for decay, material and integrity aspects, aesthetic limits and performance, and termite/insect performance aspects. The European ForestValue research project CLICKdesign brings together into a unique single software tool diverse models and performance databases associated with decay and integrity, aesthetic function, and termite performance [1]. The basis for predicting service life and decay of wood is a set of dose-response models accounting for exposure and resistance, both expressed as dosage [2] and following well-established engineering principles [3], Equation (1): iations. For predicting the field performance of wood-based materials, the material resistance dose (DRd ) needs to be determined to verify the design condition according to Equation (1)

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