Durability of Eucalyptus globulus floating structures mussels trough in marine environment against marine borers in the Atlantic coast of Spain

IRG/WP 20-10965

D Lorenzo, M Touza, J Fernández-Golfin, A Lozano, J Benito

In Spain, since forever damages caused by marine borers are frequent in wood elements and wood structures located in sea water conditions. Galicia is a region located in the North West of Spanish, above Portugal, characterized by their typical estuaries, where since ancient times, the natural production of mussels from floating structures mussels trough. Since ever, wood species selected to build the wood structures mussels trough is Eucalyptus globulus. Currently there are more than 3,300 platforms in the sea water of Galicia. The choice of wood species with medium-high natural durability is an appropriate step of protection in the case of marine environment in sea water timber structures such as floating structures mussels trough. Eucalyptus globulus heartwood is characterized by its durability against wood destroying fungi and moderately durability against marine borers, so using only heartwood it does not require preventive preservative treatment for using in a structure mussels trough, where is exposure in Use Class 3 and Use Class 5, to achieve a good performance and the expected service life. This paper shows the suitability of eucalyptus wood for its characteristics, since it combines strength and flexibility to withstand the elements and a durability of about 25 years to achieve the profitability of the installation. For its elaboration, only eucalyptus wood serves, the only one flexible and resistant enough to withstand the effects of the tides without breaking, without using preservatives and considering very well the design details and the maintenance of wood elements of floating structures mussels as key items to ensure a good performance during the estimated service life.


Keywords: wood, structures, eucalyptus, durability, marine, borers

Conference: 20-06-10/11 IRG51 Webinar


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