Your search resulted in 1083 documents. Displaying 25 entries per page.
On the use of miniaturized wood specimens in fungal decay experiments – mini-blocks versus EN 113 test specimens
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11044
Preliminary evaluation and classification of wood durability against decay fungi using laboratory monoculture experiments has been a longstanding practice because these tests offer quicker results than field tests. Various methods, including miniaturized specimen formats and different incubation periods, have been explored to expedite decay processes and assess wood preservation efficacy. The 'min...
C Brischke, G Alfredsen
Efficacy performance of Pea Extract as bait toxicant for termite control in Reunion Island
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11050
This study was carried out to determine the toxicity of Pisum sativum L., extract (Pea Extract) for the subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Yellow field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are particularly rich in protein. A solid-liquid hydroalcoholic extraction process was employed on the dried form of pea seeds to obtain one particular peptide PA1b (Pea Albumin 1, subunit...
J Vuillemin, D Messaoudi, A Robert, P da Silva
Barriers of polyglycol/borate treated wood prevent termite attack to untreated wood above them in 10-year field tests
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20709
As a pioneer in wood protection and borate research Terry Amburgey, a lifetime member of the IRG, had many projects where borates were used in subsequently commercially very successful applications. This paper is one of the initial research projects that lead to polyglycol borates being used as a standalone treatment to protect against termites in new homes which has now been well proven over the ...
K W Ragon, J D Lloyd, T L Amburgey
Studies on the treatability of selected pine species and corresponding efficacies of a new non-biocidal treatment
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20721
Wood decay caused by fungi may reduce the service life of wood in outdoor applications. Since moisture conditions in wood occur as one of the most crucial parameters for fungal decay, chemical modifications, which affect the latter, may increase the resistance of wood against such organisms. Usually, pine sapwood is easier to chemically treat than heartwood, as the former generally shows good perm...
T R da Silva Lins, L Emmerich, H Militz, P H Gonzales de Cademartoni, R J Klizke, M Pereira da Rocha
The potential of Wacapou (Vouacapoua americana) extracts to develop new biobased protective solutions for white woods
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20724
The valorisation of Amazonian wood residues into active chemical compounds could be an eco-friendly, cost effective and valuable way to develop wood preservatives formulations in order to enhance the decay and termite resistances of low durable wood species, by impregnation processes. Wacapou (Vouacapoua spp., Fabaceae) is a well-known Guianese wood species for its use in local wood construction ...
E Kieny, K Candelier, L Milhe, Y Estevez, C Sophie, R Lehnebach, J Damay, D Florez, E Hoël, M-F Thevenon, J Bossu
Evaluation of the water exclusion ability and inherent bioactivity of heartwood against decay in Japanese and European wood species via above-ground exposure and water absorption tests
2024 - IRG/WP 24-40998
The natural durability of wood has been thought to mainly depend on bioactive extractives and the water exclusion ability. To clarify the contribution of each factor to wood durability, above-ground exposure tests were conducted on Japanese and European wood species. A double-layer test was carried out using heartwood specimens of four wood species, i.e., Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, Scots pi...
T Osawa, R Noda, K Yamamoto
Evaluation of vacuum borate treated spruce or pine CLT in an above ground protected test in southern Mississippi
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41001
Cross laminated timber (CLT) has become a popular wood composite in large building applications that were previously limited to concrete and steel. To extend service and prevent biological attack, chemical protectants are often applied to wood. Cross laminated timber panels are not typically treated, in part due to a lack of data on efficient and effective methods for treating large panels. Ther...
M E Mankowski, A Taylor, G T Kirker
Modelling the service life of wood in ground contact – Verification of remotely sensed soil data from the reanalysis dataset ERA5-Land using in-situ measurements at a test site of utility poles in Eastern Norway
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41003
This study compared soil moisture and temperature estimates from the 5th European reanalysis (ERA5-Land) dataset with in-situ measurements to assess the accuracy and applicability of ERA5-Land data for modelling the service life of wood in ground contact. The ERA5-Land soil temperature estimates showed a moderate correlation with the in-situ temperature measurements (Spearman’s ρ of 0.73) and a...
U Hundhausen, P B van Niekerk, B Marais
Performance of Douglas-fir cross laminated timber (CLT) subjected to elevated humidity in a ground proximity field test for 6 years
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41010
The ability of insecticidal soil drenches or spray-on insecticide/fungicide treatments to protect mass timber elements exposed in a high moisture environment but out of direct soil contact was assessed using a modified AWPA ground proximity test established in 2017. Three-ply Douglas-fir CLT pieces measuring 305 x 355 x 105 mm (L x H x W) were installed at the Harrison Experimental Forest (HEF) (S...
M E Mankowski, J J Morrell, T G Shelton, G T Kirker
Field test method for wood in above ground situation - The full CEN/TC 38 guideline for the Sandwich method. Part 1 - Determining the relative protective effectiveness of a wood preservative
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41013
The attached draft CEN Technical Specification (i.e. pre-EN standard) has been drafted in order to become an alternative to the Lap-Joint test method (EN 12037:23) for testing of wood in above ground situation and the draft CEN/TS Part 1 is specifically intended for determining the relative protective effectiveness of a wood preservative. The new draft CEN/TS is based on a test method developed by...
M Westin, R Ringman, A Christof, F Friese
Structural health assessment of wood - A comparison of methods for determining the spatial spread of fungal infestation in beams and rafters
2025 - IRG/WP 25-11051
Wood decay in buildings can cause severe economic losses, require comprehensive refurbishment, and removal of decayed wooden elements from the building. The latter aims at restoring the structural integrity of the component or the entire building through replacement, and at preventing the infestation from spreading further. In practice, components are cut out of the structure to such an extent tha...
C Brischke, N Sommerfeld, E Flohr, A K Mayer, S Bollmus
A comparison of methods – how to achieve a robust and conclusive durability classification of wood
2025 - IRG/WP 25-11063
The biological durability of wood is a relative and unitless size, and therefore wood species and wood-based materials are assigned to durability classes (DC). In Europe, such classes are based on a variety of measures, which can be absolute or relative to a non-durable reference species. The aim of efforts to develop and standardise methods for determining biological durability should be to ensur...
C Brischke
Real-time evaluation of connected in-ground termite stations in laboratory colonies of Coptotermes gestroi and Prorhinotermes sp.
2025 - IRG/WP 25-11082
Subterranean termites represent a major challenge in infestation management and monitoring. This study evaluates the effectiveness of connected in-ground stations for termite control, incorporating an advanced electronic device developed and patented by Groupe Berkem (Novaterm®). These stations are linked to a gateway unit that collects the detected signals and transmits them remotely via a 4G ne...
M Butin, F Chopinet, S Savriama, D Messaoudi
Evaluating the Efficacy of Arnica Extract-Based Termiticide from Berkem Biosolutions® in Subterranean Termite Control: A Comprehensive Laboratory and Four-Year Field Study
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20731
Subterranean termites pose significant threats to wooden structures. This study evaluated the efficacy of a bio-based termiticide product containing Arnica extract from Berkem Biosolutions® in controlling subterranean termites in both laboratory and field conditions. The laboratory assessments utilised “the Bottle H” test unit, adhering to the Japan Wood Preservation Association (JWPA) standa...
D Messaoudi, S Khoirul Himmi, D Tarmadi, I Guswenrivo, S Yusuf
Enhancing the Fire Resistance of Spruce Wood through Treatment and Additive Application: Small Flame Test Method
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20737
Spruce panels treated by spraying with Burnblock® spray, were tested using “Small flame test method” according to EN ISO 11925-2:2011. The fire retardant product from Burnblock ApS is reported by the Danish company to be bioderived and non-toxic. The results for the untreated planed spruce showed moderate flammability whereas the Burn Block treated panels exhibited exceptional fire resistance...
E S Mujanic, R Hasanagic, E Kerzic, L Fathi, M Humar
Securing Flame Retardancy in Wood: Durability After Artificial and Natural Weathering Test
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20738
The outdoor use of wood is often limited by challenges such as dimensional instability, vulnerability to fungal decay, and high flammability. Traditional flame retardant treatments improve fire resistance but suffer from significant leaching under environmental exposure, reducing their long-term effectiveness. This study introduces an innovative solution by integrating flame retardants with DMDHEU...
M Wu, L Martin, H Militz
Potential co-valorization of pyrolysis tars from five wood species form Tunisia as wood preservatives bases: Chemical compositions, antifungal and anti-termite activities
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20739
The pyrolysis of five Tunisian wood species (Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus maidenii, Pinus pinea, and Quercus canariensis) was carried out in a custom-designed carbonisation reactor developed at the INRGREF's Wood Technology Section (Tunis, Tunisia). This process aimed to produce both char and pyrolysis by-products, particularly pyrolysis oils. The experiments were conduc...
M T Elaieb, J Valette, E Kiény, L Pignolet, S Ghariani, K Candelier
Durability Analysis of Bio-based Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin-Treated Wood
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20753
The aim of this study is to explore the application of bio-based materials in outdoor construction. Enhancing the durability of wood products effectively extends their carbon storage lifespan, making it essential to investigate their long-term durability. The study used commercial resin (CPF) and laboratory-synthesised petro-based phenolic resin (LPF) as control groups. Japanese cedar specimens we...
T-H Lin, P-Y Kuo
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Penflufen by using a Plant Booster
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20759
Penflufen (Preventol® A 800) is a modern pyrazole fungicide which has been approved by the US EPA for the use in wood protection in 2018. Penflufen is an inhibitor of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDHI). It is highly efficient against wood decaying basidiomycetes fungi. In the European standard efficacy test EN 113/ EN 84, penflufen is controlling both brown rot and white rot fungi at the low rete...
D Messaoudi, A Robert, P Meckler, T Jaetsch
Novel treatments of solid wood - studies into the use of imidazole and succinimide
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30817
Recent activities have focussed on the use of ionic liquids (ILs) in wood treatments and bioprocessing. Most ILs are based on imidazolium systems, so it was decided to investigate the potential of imidazole as a treatment, along with another heterocyclic compound, namely succinimide. Thus, modification of Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) with heterocyclic compounds, imidazole and succinimi...
D Jones, A Scharf, H Dernegård, J Oja, S Duarte, J Levanić, M Humar
Enhanced Termite Resistance of Low Durability Fast Growing Teak Wood by Non-Biocide Treatments Based on Chemical and Thermal Modification
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30818
Short rotation teak as a fast-growing tree can be considered as a renewable material resource for the future green economy. However, short rotation teak wood is susceptible to biodeterioration, particularly to termite attack. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of chemical and thermal treatment on resistance of sapwood, transition wood, and heartwood of short rotation teak aga...
R Martha, K Candelier, M-F Thévenon, B George, I S Rahayu, W Darmawan, P Gérardin
Enhancing strength, fire and biological resistance of wood through structural and chemical modification
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30831
Wood, a renewable and versatile biopolymer, has been a fundamental material to construct traditional and advanced composites for building construction, furniture, transparent composites, and various other applications. Despite its many advantages, including its aesthetic appeal, workability, and relatively low cost, wood possesses inherent limitations such as susceptibility to biological, flame an...
R Abouzeid, M S Koo, Q Wu
Performance Verification of Water-Based Outdoor Wood Protection Coatings Based on Weather Resistance Evaluation
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41015
Recent trends in wood protective coatings: Concerns over volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and the need to reduce maintenance costs have increased demand for environmentally friendly and highly durable coatings. While conventional solvent-based paints are superior in durability, they have been associated with problems such as environmental impact and odour during application. As an alterna...
N Ikemoto
Evaluation of moisture exclusion ability of wood using double-layer outdoor exposure tests
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41021
The material resistance of wood to decay must be due to the combined effects of heartwood extractives and the moisture content state. Evaluating the moisture exclusion ability of wood is important for assessing its durability in outdoor use. We conducted previously double-layer outdoor exposure tests and investigated the relationship between moisture content over time and the progress of decay usi...
T Osawa, R Noda, K Yamamoto
AI Models for Accelerating Wood Protection Testing: Development of Predictive Tools Based on Long-Term Field Test Data
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41023
In this study, we present the development of DecAI, an artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to optimise and accelerate performance evaluations of wood protection products in the European EN 330:2014 "Field test: L-joint method." The Danish Technological Institute (DTI) compiled a dataset of over 100,000 data points from approx.10,000 L-joint samples collected over +15 years at field sites i...
J Stenbaek, B Noufel, L Glade, P Bisgaard