Review article

https://doi.org/10.5552/drind.2013.1221

Natural Durability of Timber Exposed Above Ground – a Survey

Christian Brischke ; Leibniz University Hannover, Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Science, Institute of Vocational Sciences in the Building Trade (IBW), Hannover, Germany
Linda Meyer ; Leibniz University Hannover, Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Science, Institute of Vocational Sciences in the Building Trade (IBW), Hannover, GermanyLeibniz University Hannover, Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Science, Institute of Vocational
Gry Alfredsen ; Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Ås, Norway
Miha Humar ; University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Wood Science and Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Lesley Francis ; Faculty of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation, Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane, Australia
Per-Otto Flæte ; Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology, Oslo, Norway
Pia Larsson-Brelid ; SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Department of Wood Technology, Borås, Sweden

Abstract

Besides its inherent resistance against degrading organisms, the durability of timber is influenced by design details and climatic conditions, making it difficult to treat wood durability as an absolute value. Durability classification is, therefore, based on comparing performance indicators between the timber in question and a reference timber. These relative values are grouped and related to durability classes, which can refer to a high range of service-lives. The insufficient comparability of such durability records has turned out to be a key challenge for service-life prediction. This paper reviewed literature data, based on service-life measures, not masked by a durability classification. It focused on natural durability of timber tested in the field above-ground. Additionally, results from ongoing aboveground durability studies in Europe and Australia are presented and have been used for further analysis. In total, 163 durability recordings from 31 different test sites worldwide based on ten different test methods have been considered for calculation of resistance factors. The datasets were heterogeneous in quality and quantity; the resulting resistance factors suffered from high variation. In conclusion, an open platform for scientific exchange is needed to increase the amount of available service-life related data.

Keywords

durability classes; field tests; resistance factor; service life prediction; test methodology, use class 3

Hrčak ID:

104227

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/104227

Publication date:

24.6.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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