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Improving our understanding of moisture and other durability-related properties of wood in building envelope performance prediction
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20468
Building science has become an increasingly important field in recent years with rapid changes in construction methods, building materials and consumer expectations. The field has also been brought to prominence by a few large-scale premature building envelope failures in a few regions across the world. Considerable effort has been put into developing hygrothermal models to simulate heat, air, vap...
Jieying Wang, P Morris


A comparative study and evaluation of methodologies used for determining wood preservative penetration
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20475
A series of methods for determining penetration of wood preservatives into the wood structure have been developed for either quality control (QC) or research and development purposes. QC methods range from monitoring the solution uptake, applying colour indicators or sampling specific wood samples followed by wood acid digestion/atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or solvent extraction/chromatogr...
R Craciun, R Moeller, J Wittenzellner, T Jakob, J Habicht


Non-destructive evaluation of wood decay
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20479
Evaluation of wood decay is often prone to subjective assessment. Standard rating scales are based on human perception of decay, often in addition to weight loss measurements. Especially the assessment of graveyard specimens or other long term testing material that has to be monitored regularly on a non-destructive basis, is challenging. In this paper two techniques are presented that can deliver ...
J Van den Bulcke, I De Windt, N Defoirdt, J Van Acker


Characterisation and evaluation of various chitosan oligomers, and decay resistance
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30562
Chitosan, a polymer of D-glucosamine, is known for its antimicrobial activity. However, the physicochemical properties of chitosan depend upon three principal factors, i.e. source of raw material, molecular weight and degree of deacetylation. Here, we report synthesis and characterization of chitosan oligomers prepared by deaminative depolymerization of chitosan (s) obtained from Sigma Aldrich and...
I Hussain, C Chittenden, T Singh


Termite resistance of timber envelope treated with imidacloprid then modified by typical building site operations
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30570
Imidacloprid is a new envelope insecticide approved by Australian regulatory authorities for framing timber. It is a non repellent insecticide. Results are reported for timber envelope treated with imidacloprid and altered post treatment with typical building site operations to expose untreated surfaces. These modifications included, cutting, notching and drilling. Pinus radiata timber samples w...
K Day, A Siraa, P Lobb


Evaluation of an optimized industrial process aiming to improve the natural durability and mechanical behavior of bamboo for outdoor use
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40554
Mao Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is characterized by high contents of sugar and starch and by high hygroscopicity, which makes it susceptible to biodegradation, and specifically to fungal decay. Still, many bamboo based products regularly enter the European wood construction market, competing with traditional solid wood products used for outdoor decking and cladding. The performance of a heat ...
F Simon, M Kutnik, I Le Bayon, G Moisset, V Gatimel


Evaluation effect of kiln schedule on Warp, Twist, Bow and surface checks in Poplar Wood
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40565
In this research, to establish a kiln-drying schedule for poplar (Populus nigra) lumber with 75 mm thickness that cut down from North Khorasan province in Iran, with three schedules T5-D2 (Forest Product Laboratory), T5-D3 and T8-D5 were adapted for drying the lumbers down to the final moisture content of 8±2%. primary dry bulb temperature each three schedules was adjusted at 49,49 and 54°C and ...
M. Akhtari, M.Arefkhani


Above Ground Field Evaluation and GC-MS Analysis of Naturally Durable Wood Species
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10764
Nine wood species are being evaluated in above ground field studies in Mississippi and Wisconsin. Candidate naturally durable wood (NDW) species are being rated at yearly intervals for resistance to decay, cupping, and checking. Field ratings after 12 months exposure are presented. To date, Paulownia tomentosa (PAW) and southern yellow pine (SYP) are least durable and cedars are the most durable i...
G T Kirker, A B Blodgett, S T Lebow, C A Clausen


Preliminary laboratory and field evaluation on the performance of Rubbermite as a graded physical barrier against subterranean termite species in Australia
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10766
This paper describes the performance of Rubbermite as a potential graded particle barrier against two subterranean termite species of Coptotermes in laboratory and field test. The results of these bioassays suggest that Rubbermite is a viable control option against Coptotermes species in Australia, particularly against Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) and Coptotermes lacteus (Froggatt). Rubber...
B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French


In-situ experimental treatment and consolidation of degraded timber elements from a XIX century building
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10767
This paper presents the in situ experimental conservation work performed on three timber structural elements from a XIX century building: two floor beams and one roof beam. The palace was built in 1877 in the centre of Lisbon initially with residential purposes. It has four floors, with timber structural horizontal elements, stairs and roof beams (generally of Pinus sylvestris L.). The exterior wa...
D F Henriques, J de Brito, L Nunes


Laboratory and Field evaluation on Natural Resistance and Feeding Preference of Different Wood Species to Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) in Pakistan
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10769
The resistance of twenty four different woods to attack and damage by subterranean termite species Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) and Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) was evaluated by choice and no choic in laboratory and field trials. Mean wood mass loss was calculated for both laboratory and field trials results using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mean percentage termite mortality was calculated fo...
S A Malik; F Manzoor, B M Ahmed (Shiday)


Laboratory evaluation of the natural durability and treatability of Cryptomeria japonica grown in La Reunion Island
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10772
The Japanese cedar Cryptomeria japonica is the main resource for timber construction in La Reunion Island, an overseas territory belonging to France. The natural durability of C. japonica originating from East-Asia has been considered so far as quite poor and the European standard EN 350-2 classifies this species ‘not durable’ with regard to its resistance to termites, xylophageous beetles and...
M Kutnik, J Vuillemin, I Paulmier, I Le Bayon, S Legay, E Raphalen, M Jequel, N Farnier, T Glandut


The Technical Criteria on Biological Evaluation of Wood Preservatives for Use Category C4.1 in Southern China
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20481
According to the Regulations on Pesticide management of the People's Republic of China, wood preservatives belong to agrochemicals. The establishment of registration system on wood preservatives would be benefit to management of preservatives, including the market entrance and safety insurance to the human beings, livestock and the environment associated by the application of these preservati...
Xingxia Ma, Mingliang Jiang


Evaluation of fungal infestation and decay in a simulated use class 3 situation (block test) after some years of exposure
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20487
The so named “block test” was designed as part of the assessment methodology for testing the behaviour of natural and modified wood used under use class 3 (EN 335-2) conditions. The test was developed to expose the wood close to the ground to an environment with high humidity and high biological activity, but not in soil contact. The present study describes the evaluation of fungal infestatio...
A Gellerich, K Röhl, S Adamopoulos, H Militz


Durability of wooden shop-name signage coated with Urushi lacquer and gold leaf attached to the facade of building in Japan
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20493
Wooden shop-name signage plated with gold leaf is one of the characteristics of newly developed westernized commercial buildings appeared after the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 in Japan. The signage still remains mainly in old districts. The signage with independent letters (Chinese character) shows off the name of the shop with golden colour on the façade of building. The number of these shops...
K Yamamoto, M Kiguchi


Durability of timber products –Part 1: Inventory and evaluation of above ground data
2012 - IRG/WP12-20498
The material-inherent resistance of wood is one of the most important qualities influencing the durability of timber. Hence, it has also a major effect on the service life to be expected from a timber construction. In addition, design details and the respective climatic conditions determine durability and make it impossible to treat wood durability as an absolute value. Moreover, the reference mag...
C Brischke, L Meyer, G Alfredsen, M Humar, L Francis, P O Flæte, P Larsson Brelid


Evaluation of Five Novel Organotin(IV) Complexes as Wood Preservatives
2012 - IRG/WP 12-30590
Three selected non durable tropical wood species namely Alstonia scholaris (pulai), Macaranga triloba (mahang) and Hevea brasiliensis (rubber) were chemically impregnated with five novel organotin(IV) complexes using vacuum-pressure treatment method. The objectives of this study were to determine the treatability and efficacy of novel organotin(IV) complexes against white and brown rot decay fungi...
M M Rahman, I Jusoh, M A Affan, A Husaini


Corrosion of fasteners in heat-treated wood – progress report after nine years’ exposure outdoors
2012 - IRG/WP 12-40601
The corrosion of common fastener materials now in use - mild steel, zinc-coated steel, aluminium and Sanbond Z-coated steel – has been evaluated after nine years’ exposure outdoors in untreated and heat-treated (thermally modified) spruce (Picea abies). Spruce from south-western Sweden was used. The heat-treatment was carried out in Finland by Stora-Enso Oy according to the ThermoWood process ...
J Jermer, B-L Andersson


First report on the termiticidal activity of extracts of Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) seeds and on its active constituent squamocins
2012 - IRG/WP 12-30605
Termites inflict severe damage on wood commodities and impede usage of several forest species. The biological metabolites could potentially replace synthetic termiticidal products which are becoming more restricted to use. Annona squamosa is well known for its edible fruits - tropical custard apple. Annonaceous tetrahydrofuran acetogenins have attracted much interest due to their broad range of bi...
T S Djenontin, N Amusant, P H Ducrot, D C K Sohounhloué, D Pioch


Wood-leather panels – A biological, fire retardant building material
2012 - IRG/WP 12-40615
The poor flame retardant properties of wood-based products are among the severest obstacles, hindering its use in the commercial building sector. Recently, some attempts to improve the fire properties, relying on inflammable salts or reactive halogen compounds, have been presented, although they either cause problems with machining or embody harmful compounds (halogen derivates). In this paper, ...
S Wieland, U Stöckl, T Grünewald, S Ostrowski, A Petutschnigg


Preliminary evaluation of degradation patterns in wood samples from the Yenikapı shipwrecks
2013 - IRG/WP 13-10798
The uncovering of several shipwrecks during the excavation of the Marmaray Rail Tube Tunnel Project in Istanbul provides an important opportunity to evaluate waterlogged woods buried for centuries. Identification of these woods showed that a variety of species was used in the ships. One shipwreck (a galley) from the Yenikapı Marmaray was examined using electron microscopy. The micrographs rev...
C Köse, A M Taylor


Communities of mold fungi on flooded building materials
2013 - IRG/WP 13-10799
A small building built to residential code was flooded using farmland pond water to a depth of two feet at Tuskegee University. The building was drained and left enclosed for an additional three weeks. A total of 168 material samples were removed either immediately after opening (wet) or seven months after flooding (dry). Wall materials sampled included fiberglass batt insulation, gypsum wallboard...
F Skrobot III, H Aglan, S V Diehl


Service life evaluation of wood - an engineering approach
2013 - IRG/WP 13-20515
A performance-based service life design format based on climatic exposure on one hand and “biological wood resistance” on the other hand is presented in this paper. Important concepts are the introduction of limit states as well as reliable performance models for the biological processes, by which onset of deterioration can be predicted for arbitrary climate histories. Examples of applications...
S Thelandersson


Method for determining the critical moisture level for mould growth on building materials
2013 - IRG/WP 13-20530
The natural conditions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) in different parts of a building is rarely constant over time. Instead, RH and T often vary cyclically and may pose a risk of mould growth as these conditions are the two key environmental parameters that controls mould growth. Consideration to both humidity and temperature conditions and the susceptibility to mould in a material...
A Ekstrand-Tobin, P Johansson, G Bok


Report on COST E37 Round Robin Tests – Comparison of results from laboratory and field tests
2013 - IRG/WP 13-20535
A round robin involving 15 European participants was set up in 2006. The round robin consists of both a field test according to the double layer test method and a laboratory test with two different preconditioning methods. When comparing EN 84 preconditioning (two weeks water leaching) with natural preconditioning (1 year in field, above ground) according to CEN/TS 15397, no significant difference...
M Westin, E Conti, J Creemers, P-O Flæte, A Gellerich, I Irbe, M Klamer, B Mazela, E Melcher, R Möller, L Nunes, S Palanti, L Reinprecht, E Suttie, H Viitanen


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