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Review of candidate graded particle barrier testing methods in Australian Standard (AS 3660.3 – 2000): Assessment criteria for termite management systems
2009 - IRG/WP 09-20417
The Australian Standard (AS. 3660.3 – 2000) for assessment of candidate graded particle termite barriers is reviewed and suggestions for amendments are made. Areas requiring amending in light of current biological knowledge involve the inclusion of proprietary or patented systems rather than generic types; selection of test termites in the genus Coptotermes; duration of test periods; and inadequ...
J R J French, B M Ahmed (Shiday), B L Schafer


Estimating the age of subterranean termite attack and damage in buildings
2010 - IRG/WP 10-10727
This paper describes physical and experimental methods and a mathematical model (Rotramel 2003) to assist in estimating the age of subterranean termite attack and damage to building structures. Timber, building and termite management industries have to develop new strategies to assess and estimate termite attack and damage in the current climate of global warming. A case study will be used as an e...
J R J French, B M Ahmed Shiday, J Thorpe


Metal Migration from Douglas-fir Poles Treated with Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate According to Best Management Practices
2010 - IRG/WP 10-50272
The potential for migration of metal components from ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate treated (ACZA) poles was examined using pole sections treated using Best Management Practices. Copper and zinc levels were highest in runoff collected following the first rainfall events, then declined. Copper and zinc levels in runoff averaged 20 ppm and 5 pm respectively. The metal levels were then used to pr...
J J Morrell, C S Love, C Freitag


Chapter 5 - Nursing of bamboo
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10635-05
In this chapter various procedures and steps of nursing of bamboo have been described with introduction, methodologies, examples and photographs. The propagation, improvement and sustainable growth of bamboo are possible through proper nursing of bamboo. The nursing of bamboo includes proper felling or extraction, fertilization and earth filling, protection from diseases and injuries, silvic...
A K Lahiry


Phytosanitary standards and the potential for acceptance of chemical treatments as a phytosanitary measure
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30558
Regulations governing international trade in forest products must balance the economic and social benefits of trade with the potential risks of transporting invasive species. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement intended to manage this process. It develops international phytosanitary standards (ISPMs) that are recognised by the World Trade Organisation...
A Uzunovic, R Stirling, J J Morrell, P I Morris, C F Schauwecker


Managing termite risks – An Australian perspective and a cautionary tale
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20482
The management of the risks of termite attack on new buildings in Australia falls to a range of agencies and is mostly achieved through controlling the process by which structures are certified as complying with the Building Code of Australia. Australian Standard AS3660 parts 1, 2 & 3 have historically been the core of this function but now the Building Codes Board's own certification scheme,...
D Ewart


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


Recommendations for handling of mold infestation of wooden artifacts
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10790
The presentation gives an overview of the handling of wooden artifacts with mold infestation. The causes of mold deterioration are demonstrated by investigations in a church, a historic library and a monastery in Germany. Investigated infested wooden artifacts were altars, sculptures, picture frames and sarcophagi. Important investigation methods including indoor climate measurement, material an...
K Plaschkies, B Weiss, W Scheiding


Cryptotermes brevis - a silent earthquake for the wood structures in a World Heritage city in the Azores Islands
2016 - IRG/WP 16-50316
In the Azores archipelago the exotic drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis, detected in early 2000’s, is destroying the wood structures of the typical buildings and is already considered the main urban pest in these islands. This work aims to show the spread evolution of this pest along the last six years in the first Portuguese city classified as world heritage by UNESCO, Angra do Heroísmo. For ...
O Guerreiro, P A V Borges, L Nunes


Environmentally Sustainable Method of Termite Management using a baiting system: A case study in the Philippines
2016 - IRG/WP 16-50317
Environment and sustainability are key words for achieving product and business success. Use of chemicals in human vicinity such as homes and buildings are on the increase, thanks to a growing consciousness on pests. Using chemical insecticide is the main stay to counter these pests, but its role in environment is being scrutinized.Insect baiting technology has proven its success around the world ...
P Dhang


For the understanding of biological strategies to sustainable pest management: the case of Nasutitermes corniger
2018 - IRG/WP 18-10907
Termites have long been a serious pest of wooden constructions, timber products and are still causing an important problem in most of tropical regions. The genus Nasutitermes is among the most abundant wood-feeding Termitidae in South of America. The first aim of this review was to gain new insights into the management of N. corniger, considered to be the most economically detrimental pest of this...
I Boulogne, N Amusant, R Constantino, M Falkowski, A M S Rodrigues, E Hoël


Termite species associated with processed wood in South America
2018 - IRG/WP 18-10934
Termites as an eusocial insect group play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter of cellulose origin and in the modification and quality of soils. Some species are xylophagous, and therefore are considered an important urban pest due to their ability to attack not only wooden building structures but also synthetic materials such as PVC, polyethylene or polyurethane, causing great...
C Jorge, M Ibáñez


Using X-ray micro-CT to evaluate density loss in anobiid infested wood
2019 - IRG/WP 19-10956
Considering the relevance of wood borers in construction, the present study had as main objective the evaluation of the impact of anobiid damage on timber elements by establishing an empirical correlation between lost material percentage (LM%, consumed by beetles) and apparent density (original – OTD and residual – RTD). Since the beetles’ attack produces a diffuse damage with a set of tunne...
J L Parracha, M F Pereira, A Maurício, P Faria, L Nunes


Validation by micro-computed tomography of an assessment method to measure the residual strength of anobiids infested timber
2019 - IRG/WP 19-20650
In this article a quantitative correlation study of pine timber structural elements, which have been subject to attack by anobiids, is presented. The main objective of the study was to establish a valid empirical correlation between the lost material percentage (consumed by beetles) and original/residual apparent density. Since the beetles’ attack produces a diffuse damage with a set of tunnels ...
J L Parracha, M F Pereira, A Maurício, P Faria, L Nunes


Visual assessment of longitudinal wheel timbers and assessing the feasibility of extending wheel timber service life in the UK railway network
2019 - IRG/WP 19-20651
Timber has been a versatile building material for centuries and during the start of the Railway Age in the nineteenth century it was in considerable demand for use in the railway network, particularly bridge building. Timber is still in service and widely used throughout the UK railway network. The resilience and favourable strength to weight ratio and its relative ease of fabrication make it an...
J R Williams


Effect of damage to polyurea coatings on metal losses from ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate treated Douglas-fir pile sections
2019 - IRG/WP 19-40867
Metal-based preservatives remain the most widely used treatments for protecting wood in soil or water contact. While these treatments are highly effective, one drawback is a tendency for small amounts of metal to migrate into the surrounding environment. The greatest risk in this regard is copper because many organisms are highly sensitive to this metal. While post treatment practices can reduce ...
M J Konkler, J J Morrell


Dynamics of fungi colonization on the surface of Scots pine wood during natural weathering in different European climate zones
2022 - IRG/WP 22-10984
Wood The presence of fungi leads to biomaterial decay and/or changes in aesthetical appeal. The start of fungi colonization as well as the following growth on wood are primarily influenced by four factors: ambient temperature, moisture history of the object, access to oxygen, and intrinsic properties of the exposed wood, considered here as a source of nutrients for microorganisms. A prevalence of ...
F Poohphajai, O Myronycheva, O Karlsson, L Rautkari, J Sandak, A Sandak


Changes in topochemistry and mechanical properties of Beech (Fagus orientalis L.) by natural fungus infestation
2022 - IRG/WP 22-10986
Beech is one of the major hardwood species in Europe. It is, however, highly susceptible to fungal attack both in the fresh state and during the storage. Understanding the alteration in chemical and mechanical properties of beech wood during the initial degradation state can lead to improved raw material utilization. Therefore, UV-microspectrophotometer (UMSP) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatog...
H Sivrikaya, M Rehbein, F Divos, S Adamopoulos, R Hosseinpourpia


The influence of climate changes on Central European forests with an emphasis on Slovenia
2022 - IRG/WP 22-50368
When forests are managed sustainably, they play an essential role in protecting climate and biodiversity. They protect soils and water resources, provide livelihoods, and contribute to the well-being of rural and urban communities. European forests are multifunctional and provide a range of ecosystem services. These include the production of renewable materials that can replace materials with a la...
J Gričar, L Krajnc, M Westergren, S Rus, H Kraigher


Management of invasive West Indian drywood termite in Queensland: Transition from mandatory to voluntary treatment
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11002
Cryptotermes brevis, the West Indian drywood termite (WIDT) is the most destructive drywood termite globally. It is capable of infesting both softwoods and hardwoods in timber structures. In Australia C. brevis was first discovered in 1940s and later an established infestation was discovered in Maryborough, Queensland in 1966 and then in Brisbane and Bundaberg in 1975. In 1977 the Queensland Gover...
C Fitzgerald, B Hassan


Susceptibility of selected Australian commercial timbers to West Indian drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11003
West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis) is a globally distributed timber pest and is invasive in Queensland, Australia, causing widespread damage to structures and large economic impacts in control and repair costs. Despite this, the knowledge of which specific timbers are susceptible to attack is limited and requires investigation. Two six-week feeding trials were performed, exposing se...
W Haigh, R A Hayes, B Hassan


Subterranean termite control management in urban areas in Spain. Example of management in the old town of Vigo, Spain
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11006
Termites are wood destroying insects always present in the nature with an important wood decomposition function. In Europe, they are mainly located in the Mediterranean area. In Spain, termites are an important problem in urban areas. It is estimated about 80% of old historic towns in Spain are affected by subterranean termite attacks and it is the most important damage in wood structures and wood...
D Lorenzo, A Lozano, M Touza, J Benito


Protocol of action in urban areas affected by subterranean termite attacks in Spain. Example of management in the old town of Areatza
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11037
Termites are wood destroying insects always present in the nature with an important wood decomposition function. In Europe are located in the Mediterranean area. In Spain termites are an important problem in urban areas. It is estimated about 80% of old historic towns in Spain are affected by subterranean termite attacks and it is the most important damage in wood structures and wood elements. The...
D Lorenzo, J Benito, J Arancon, D Luengas


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 Case Study of Vogvarjeva hiša, a Local Ethnographic Museum
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41027
The Vogvarjeva hiša in Spodnje Duplje, Slovenia, is an example of traditional 18th Century wooden architecture and an important element of the region’s cultural heritage. The building was constructed from local timber on stone foundations and reflects the traditional rural building techniques of the Gorenjska region. Since it was declared a cultural monument in 1985, it has functioned as an eth...
D Kržišnik, L Kopač, D Jones, M Humar


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