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Role of cell wall specific moisture content on the brown-rot fungal attack on wood
2016 - IRG/WP 16-40736
Wood is a hydroscopic resource because the cell wall polymers contain hydroxyl and other oxygen-containing groups that attract moisture through hydrogen bonding. Moisture content varies with changing moisture content in its environment. The moisture content in wood is responsible for many of the performance properties we observe. The strength properties of wood are dependent on the moisture con...
R M Rowell


Effects of climatic factors and material properties on mould growth on untreated wooden claddings
2017 - IRG/WP 17-10884
Mould growth is an important contributor to colour change of untreated wood exposed outdoors. Predicting the development of mould growth is therefore important to ensure successful use of untreated wood as a façade material. More knowledge about the factors affecting mould growth on outdoor exposed wood is required to give better predictions. In this study, climatic factors and material propertie...
S Karlsen Lie, G I Vestøl, O Høibø, L Ross Gobakken


Fungal growth on coated wood exposed outdoors: influence of coating pigmentation, cardinal direction and inclination of wood surfaces
2017 - IRG/WP 17-10896
The objective of the SERVOWOOD project was to develop and establish European Standards that will facilitate the prediction of service life for exterior wood coatings. One of the objective of this project was to study fungal growth of the field exposed panels. Two coatings applied in 2 and 3 coats were exposed for one year outdoors at 45° south: one solventborne (alkyd based) and one waterborne (a...
L Podgorski, C Reynaud, M Montibus


An experimental study of mould growth and wood decay in timber frame walls
2017 - IRG/WP 17-20623
This paper deals with parameters related to the occurrence of mould growth and wood decay in timber frame walls. In a first part, the hygrothermal conditions inside a timber frame wall finished with brick veneer cladding are analysed to get an idea of possible moisture related problems. It is shown that, based on the VTT mould prediction model, there is a mould risk on the interface between the in...
M Vanpachtenbeke, J Van den Bulcke, I De Windt, J Langmans, S Roels, J Van Acker


Hybrid green composites manufactured with glass fiber and jute fabric skin by VARTM process: Fungal, mold, and termite resistance tests
2017 - IRG/WP 17-40780
Hybrid green composites are increasingly used in building applications due to the development of new production approaches. Biological performance of such composites is needed when they are employed in extreme conditions. Hybrid composite panels were manufactured by wood furnish, glass fiber, and jute fabric skin by the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Petri dish test method was fol...
S N Kartal, E Terzi, M Muin, A H Hassanin, T Hamuoda, A Kilic, Z Candan


Multivariate modeling of mould growth in relation to extractives in dried Scots pine sapwood
2017 - IRG/WP 17-20629
Influence of extractives on mould growth on Scots pine sapwood dried in air or in kiln was studied. Boards were sprayed with water mixtures of spores of the fungal species Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Paecilomyces sp., Trichoderma sp., treated at a temperature of 22ºC at 90% RH, classified into a percentage of covered area. Acetone and water extracts were isolated and analyzed for...
O Karlsson, O Myronycheva, M Sehlstedt-Persson, M Öhman, D Sandberg


Assessing the nutrient value of bio-based materials in relation to early fungal growth
2017 - IRG/WP 17-20631
Bio-based materials are gaining importance in the building industry, as the focus on sustainability and life-cycle-assessment has increased dramatically over the last decade. Wood and wood-engineered products as well as insulation materials made from flax, hemp, etc. are hence increasingly used. These materials originate from renewable resources and are often biodegradable, which can cause problem...
L De Ligne, J Van den Bulcke, J Baetens, B De Baets, J Van Acker


Impact of temperature and relative humidity on spatio-temporal fungal growth dynamics of Basidiomycetes
2018 - IRG/WP 18-10905
Basidiomycetes can cause considerable damage to wood and other bio-based building materials. Knowing at which environmental conditions these decay fungi generally thrive, and how the environmental conditions affect fungal growth characteristics, is therefore of particular interest. In this paper, we use image analysis to assess the impact of the environmental conditions on the growth dynamics of C...
L De Ligne, G Vidal-Diez de Ulzurrun, J Van den Bulcke, J M Baetens, B De Baets, J Van Acker


Visual appearance of unpainted wooden claddings during the first year of outdoor exposure: Evaluation of surface mould growth, lightness (L*) and wasp attack
2018 - IRG/WP 18-40841
This study addresses changes in visual appearance of unpainted wood materials exposed outdoors. Specimens of Norway spruce (Picea abies) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), aspen (Populus tremula), acetylated Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and DMDHEU-modified Scots pine sapwood were exposed facing south in Ås, Norway for 60 weeks. During this period, surface mould growth development and wasp attack were...
S Karlsen Lie, L Ross Gobakken, G I Vestøl, O Høibø


Facile in-situ growth of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles on polydopamine modified bamboo with excellent mildew-proofing
2019 - IRG/WP 19-30734
Bamboo with good mechanical properties, fast growth rate and low growth cost is one of very utilitarian structural material from forest resources only less important than wood. But it is especially easy to mildew during outdoor service resulting in appearance mould scattering and corrosion. In this work, a facile method was developed to increased mildew-proofinging capability of bamboo. Mussel-ins...
J Hu, Z Lu, G Liu, S Chang, Y Liu, X Li


The development of a suitable fire retardant for Radiata pine and other species
2019 - IRG/WP 19-30744
The use of fire retardant chemicals, with the overarching aim of creating a safer environment is not a new one, however it is generally under-developed and is often afflicted with an image of environmental and health issues and misperceived high costs. There is an ever-increasing need and desire for effective fire retardancy in timbers to inhibit or suppress the combustion process. This is paramou...
B R Derham, M R Fortune


Study on the ability of wood-destroying fungi to grow through chemically modified wood
2019 - IRG/WP 19-40858
Over the last decades, chemical wood modification technologies were developed to increase the resistance against attack by wood-destroying organisms without using biocides. Most of those technologies are based on an impregnation step initially. In most treated wood products, mainly by using solid wood in thicker dimensions as in posts, poles, sleepers, deckings etc. it is known that wood impregnat...
L Emmerich, S Strohbusch, C Brischke, S Bollmus, H Militz


The impact of additional interior layers to the moisture dry-out and mould growth risk of CLT walls
2019 - IRG/WP 19-40876
The objective of this study was intended to determine the maximum allowable initial moisture content for CLT walls having both exterior and interior thermal insulation. A laboratory test was conducted, for which four test walls with two different insulation solutions and two different initial moisture contents were built. Based on the test results a simulation model was configured and simulations ...
V Kukk, J Kers, T Kalamees


Engineered wood constructions in Brazil: the challenge of protection against biodeterioration for market growth
2019 - IRG/WP 19-40878
This paper presents some thoughts about Brazilian wood constructions market regarding to biodeterioration and protection against biodeterioration, especially termites. Despite of being a forestry country, there is no tradition in wood engineered buildings and some prejudice must be overcome. New companies are interested in this market and as a continental country, different problems regarding of...
L F T di Romagnano, S Brazolin, G A da Silva, G A C Lopez


Fungal damages in Norwegian massive timber elements – causes and measures
2019 - IRG/WP 19-40879
Massive wood elements are relatively new in Norway but the use is growing quickly, primarily the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Moisture performance of massive timber elements has been examined by some researchers, but more knowledge is needed. There is uncertainty regarding the need for vapour barriers or retarders in roof assemblies, and for practical reasons buildings are rarely assembled...
M S Austigard, J Mattsson


Effect of long-term immersion in fresh and salt water on mould growth on Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) wood
2020 - IRG/WP 20-10962
Wood exposed outdoors will eventually be degraded by fungi, depending on exposure and material characteristics. Numerous wooden constructions in the Røros municipality have existed since the 17th century, but wood used in recent repairs have decayed faster than expected. Before 1970 timber was mainly transported by log driving or rafting, and the logs were immersed in water for longer or shorter ...
M Sand Austigard, J Mattsson


Fungal colonisations in and on industrially manufactured acetylated glulam in UC 3
2020 - IRG/WP 20-40900
This poster paper describes one of the first cases where industrially acetylated glulam was colonized by wood-destroying fungi after less than 10 years of exposure in use class 3.2. Remarkable is that fruiting bodies of white as well as brown rot fungi were found on one and the same bench element. The first visible wood destroying fungi was the white rot fungus Schizophyllum commune followed by th...
J Müller, E Melcher, T Potsch


Validating a short-term laboratory method to assess the resistance of timber to biodegradation by marine wood-borers
2021 - IRG/WP 21-10975
Novel approaches to protecting wood in coastal and marine environments are needed as the use of traditional broad-spectrum biocides are now restricted. Wood is widely utilised in marine environments where it can be rapidly degraded by wood-boring organisms, causing billions of dollars of damage per annum. Biocidal compounds such as CCA and creosote have been popular treatments for timber products ...
L S Martin, J R Shipway, G P Malyon, S M Cragg


Effect of MVOC exposure on mycelial growth of wood rotting fungi
2021 - IRG/WP 21-10977
It is well known that wood rotting fungi produce microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) as metabolites. In our previous studies, we have found that some MVOCs produced by wood rotting fungi are common to fungal species tested in the studies, while others are specific to each species. Furthermore, it has been also shown that each wood rotting fungi do not always produce the same type of MVOCs...
S Horikawa, R Konuma, M Yoshida


In Vitro Growth of the Basidiomycetes Physisporinus vitreus strains in various conditions in comparison with some white rot fungi
2022 - IRG/WP 22-10987
The paper has preliminary test results to select Pysisporinus vitreus fungal strains for further experiments in a large research project on copper tolerance of P. vitreus by chemotropic test, choice test, and agar plate toxicity tests and determination of the effect of various ions on oxalic acid secretion by these white rot fungi. In the project, it is also aimed to run fungal decay tests to dete...
E E Soytürk, S N Kartal


Wood modification reduces the feeding rate of the wood boring crustacean, Limnoria quadripunctata
2022 - IRG/WP 22-10993
Adult Adult Limnoria search for new wood once their current piece disintegrates from tunnelling. During this time, they do not have access to wood so experience a period of starvation and must feed again once settled. Wood modification offers protection to marine structures by reducing the feeding rate of Limnoria and therefore can reduce recruitment of adults from distant pieces of wood. Chemical...
L S Martin, S Lande, M Westin, S M Cragg


A Comparison of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Floor Panels using Finite Element Analysis and Experimental Fire Testing
2022 - IRG/WP 22-40955
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a relatively new timber product and has gained popularity in North America and Europe as a construction material. As a sustainable engineered timber product, CLT offers many advantages over solid wood, concrete, or steel construction. However, the use of timber in medium to high rise buildings is often avoided mainly due to its combustible nature. In this paper, a n...
M Yasir, A Macilwraith, K Ruane


Effect of volatile organic compounds produced by wood rotting fungi on mycelial growth
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11023
Microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria produce volatile organic compounds (so-called MVOCs: Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds) as metabolites. Some MVOCs have been found to be biologically active, for example inhibition of spore germination, and when fungi of different species encounter each other, the MVOCs pattern change, suggesting that MVOCs play a role as a mediator for biological intera...
S Horikawa, R Konuma, M Yoshida


Field durability testing of wood above ground - Part 1: 15 years’ experience with the Bundle method
2023 - IRG/WP 23-20695
A ‘jack of all trades’ method for above-ground wood durability testing has been sought for decades, but until now no method has found its way into standardization. The method of choice shall be applicable for untreated and treated wood – ideally also for wood composites. It shall be reproducible, objective, fast, easy, and inexpensive. Finally, it shall provide high predictive power. This s...
C Brischke, G Alfredsen, L Emmerich, M Humar, L Meyer-Veltrup


Field durability testing of wood above ground - Part 2: The full guideline of the Bundle method
2023 - IRG/WP 23-20696
To determine the biological durability of wood above ground, numerous approaches for test methods have been pursued and tried out in the field in the past. So far, no method has managed to find its way into a European standard. During the last 15 years, experience with the Bundle method has been gained. As described in Part 1 of this paper, the method is recommended as a suitable tool for determin...
C Brischke, G Alfredsen, L Emmerich, M Humar, L Meyer-Veltrup


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