Your search resulted in 1150 documents. Displaying 25 entries per page.
Measuring fungal cellulolytic enzyme activity in degrading wood
2011 - IRG/WP 11-10753
An enzyme assay which measures enzyme activity directly from wood will assist in the fundamental understanding of the enzyme components of the decay mechanism of rot fungi and any changes in the presence of wood protectants. At present, to measure fungal carbohydrate degrading enzyme activity in the presence of wood, two methods are used: either 1) the enzyme is measured in the growth media contai...
S M Duncan, J S Schilling
Growth conditions for fungal decay in wooden constructions – practical experience versus literature
2011 - IRG/WP 11-10758
Data regarding moisture and temperature requirements of decay fungi found in literature have been compared to experience from observations in a large number of Norwegian buildings. A number of selected situations are discussed, among those exposure to high relative humidity, exposure to free water and decay in the supposedly adverse conditions on Svalbard. The moisture content in wood has to be at...
M Sand Sivertsen, J Mattsson
Durability testing of coconut shell according to ENV 807
2011 - IRG/WP 11-10761
Coconut shell was tested in the laboratory according to the European standard ENV 807 with three different soil types: compost soil, brown rot/soft rot rich soil and white rot/soft rot rich soil. Mass losses between 14 and 16 % were achieved with all three soils, indicating that the decay type is of little importance in the degradation process. Somewhat higher mass losses, 19-22 % were obtained fo...
J Jermer, A H H Wong, K Segerholm, T Nilsson
Decay hazard mapping for Europe
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20463
In this study, two different dose-response models for above-ground decay as well as a model transferring macro climate data to wood climate data are presented. The models base on data from field trials, which had been conducted at 28 European test sites, and were used to calculate the relative risk for decay caused by climate variability in Europe. The two dose-response models give coherent result...
C Brischke, E Frühwald Hansson, D Kavurmaci, S Thelandersson
Methods of field data evaluation - time versus reliability
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20466
Field testing of wood and wood-based products is so far the most reliable way to get information on performance with respect to durability and expected service life. However, field trials are extremely time and cost consuming. The main objective of the present study was to investigate possible correlations between early stages of decay, preferably during the first 5 years, and the actual service l...
P Larsson Brelid, C Brischke, A O Rapp, M Hansson, M Westin, J Jermer, A Pilgård
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
Decay initiation in plywood, OSB and solid wood under marginal moisture conditions
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20469
Hygrothermal models are increasingly used as research tools by building scientists and and design tools by designers to simulate heat, air, vapour, and water movements within and through building envelope and even to predict the consequences in terms of mould/decay growth and metal corrosion. This work was designed to generate data on decay initiation under marginal moisture conditions to support...
Jieying Wang, P Morris
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
Comparison of rates of wood decay from four different field test protocols following 4-5 years exposure at a site in New Zealand
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30565
The rate of decay of Pinus radiata was evaluated using four different field test protocols at a site near New Plymouth, New Zealand. The average Scheffer index was 86 over the five year period of testing. The field tests were an in-ground stake test (AWPA Std E7-01) and three above ground tests – lap-joint (AWPA Std E16-98), decking (AWPC protocol) and ground proximity tests (AWPA Std E18-06) T...
P Lobb, K Day, A Siraa
The potential of propolis and other naturally occurring products for preventing biological decay
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30575
The potential of using a range of naturally occurring plant extracts and propolis from bee hives for enhancing the durability of timber in service as well as helping with the conservation of archaeological timbers is considered in this paper. Results reported demonstrate that there is some degree of protective effect noted, suggesting a viable treatment option might be developed based on a deeper ...
D Jones, N Howard, E Suttie
The resistance to Basidiomycetes fungi of chipboard 35 years after their industrial preservation with wood preservative on fluoroborate basis
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40546
The research on wood-based panels’ (WBP) behaviour towards fungi impact demonstrated rather low resistance of wood-based materials to wood rotting fungi. However, these materials are used in construction under conditions favourable to fungi growth. In such conditions WBP treated with wood preservatives should be used. Preservation durability is of great importance in such cases. The resistance o...
A Fojutowski, A Kropacz
Study of the durability of the Maderon® against wood decay fungi and insects
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40548
Many industries produce residues that are not easily degradable. One of these is nut husks which, due to their high level of resistance to biological and environmental degradation, have become an ecological problem. Maderón® is a material invented and patented in Spain employed as an ecological substitute and a modern alternative to certain uses of wood. At present, Maderón® is commercialized ...
M T Troya, F Llinares, P Jiménez, J I Fernández-Golfín, M Conde, R Díaz
Biological properties of Pinus radiata veneers modified with hexamethoxymethyl melamine
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40552
An investigation of the effects on decay and termite resistance of a wood modification process involving prepolymers of hexamethoxymethyl melamine (HMMM) was conducted using LVL as a model engineered wood product. Dry Pinus radiata veneers were vacuum-impregnated with a wood modification formulation containing a mixture (P-H:S-H) of two separate prepolymerisation reactions containing polyvinyl al...
A Siraa, S Millward, C Molloy
Decay resistance of a commercial pistachio twig-plastic composite
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40553
In this research, the decay resistance of commercial extruded pistachio twig flour-plastic composite was investigated against the white-rot fungi Trametes versicolor and the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana. The composite specimens containing 60% pistachio twig flour were exposed to a decay test according to modified ASTM standard for 3 months. The results showed that the composite could be d...
M R M Farahani, M Safarzadeh
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
Treatability variation of scots pine heartwood from Northern Europe
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40563
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most common construction materials for general exterior applications in northern Europe. It has a wide natural geographical distribution, a good availability and it is low-priced compared to other materials. According to EN 350-2 Scots pine heartwood is considered being “untreatable” and having durability class 3. This means that its durability co...
G Behr, E Larnøy, C-T Bues
Performance of Zinc Borate-Treated Oriented Structural Straw Board against Mold Fungi, Decay Fungi and Termites–A Preliminary Trial
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40571
The performance of zinc borate (ZB)-treated oriented structural straw board (OSSB) against mold fungi, decay fungi and termites was examined in standard laboratory evaluations. OSSB was fabricated with split wheat straw and diphenylmethane diisocyante (pMDI) resin. The ZB was added during panel manufacture to achieve preservative levels (wt.%) of 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 3.0%. Untreated (0.0% ZB) OSS...
Guangping Han, M Manning, Wanli Cheng, E Pierre, W Wasylciw
Extractives in Norwegian-Grown and North American-Grown Western Redcedar and Their Relation to Durability
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10762
The extractives responsible for the natural durability of western redcedar (WRC) are not well understood. Recent work by the Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology and the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute has evaluated the natural durability of Norwegian wood species and reference species, including Norwegian-grown WRC and North American-grown WRC, in a series of decay tests. The availabil...
R Stirling, P O Flæte, G Alfredsen, P I Morris
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
Decay factors in termite in-ground monitoring stations
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10775
Subterranean termites are serious pests of wood in service in much of the world. One of the most common techniques for monitoring and controlling termites is the use of in-ground monitoring stations which comprise a wood or other cellulosic material monitor (cellulosic matrix) and/or a termiticide bait held in a open plastic holder so facilitates examination and the termite access. Wood and other ...
S Duarte, A M Taylor, Jae-Woo Kim, J D Lloyd, M Duarte, L Nunes
Wood decay enzymatic ability of Fusarium circinatum
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10777
There exists pathogens that attack standing trees of forests, and do not usually thrive once the tree is felled. However, occasionally they can be present in a latent state in the wood and can spread and affect new areas with economic, ecological and social consequences. Fusarium circinatum is a fungus that causes “pitch canker” in pine species, and is considered a quarantine organism within t...
M T Troya, F Llinares, Y Serrano, M Conde
Influence of soil moisture, Sarawak soil types and decay types on decay susceptibility of rubberwood and kelempayan
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10780
Wood and soils are important natural resources of the land, the former widely used as structural supports in contact with the latter. Many low durability wood species exposed to soil contact has reportedly high incidence of decay failures in poorly treated and untreated materials depending on soil types, properties and soil microbial virulence. This paper probes the relationship of the main soil t...
A H.H. Wong, P K.F. Chong, J Sabang
Coconut lumber for wood decks (Cocos nucifera L.): decay resistance against Basidiomycetes fungi
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10784
Since a couple of years, manufactured products of coconut wood for outdoor uses like wood decks have been proposed on the European market. These are presented as an alternative for traditional tropical timbers. In the past, coconut wood was neglected and burned for sanitary reasons and lack of interest at industrial scale. Plantation coconut trees at end of production of copra constitute a renewab...
B Jourez, C Verheyen, J Van Acker
Determination of Izod Impact Strength on Wood: A Suitable Method to Detect Fungal Decay in Protective Effectiveness-Screenings of Wood Preservatives
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20484
For testing a large number of different substances regarding fungicide properties, the reduction of the decay test duration is advantageous. In the present paper the suitability of a method for testing plastics using an impact testing machine was examined. The results clearly show that the fungal attack of European beech by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor leads to a decrease of izod imp...
H Delenk, M Zauer, A Wagenführ