Outdoor load-bearing timber structures
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Avdelningen för byggnadsmekanik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 342 700 |
| Project duration | September 2017 - November 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The project goal fulfillment reagring new knowledge and examples of applications has been very good. The project has brought acetylated wood to new scientific contexts with clear connections to timber engineering. The project has highlighted the benefits of acetylation from an engineering perspective (dimensional stability) and environmental perspective (non-toxic substances). The ability to use wood in new applications provides benefits by creating markets - larger volumes of added-value materials, products and components provide benefits for the value chain
Expected long term effects
The project has shown a technical potential in acetylated wood for outdoor load-bearing structures and that pine sapwood can be used, probably with only small changes to the acetylation process. Acetylation of birch veneer and solid birch poses greater challenges. Acetylated wood is more demanding to glue and the effect of acetylation on some mechanical properties is large, 35-50% reduced fracture energy was measured. Structural codes, e.g. Eurocode 5, probably need to be adapted for situations where this energy is important.
Approach and implementation
The industry partners have contributed with knowledge of current materials, processes and products, have participated in the planning of experiments and have provided materials and production resources. Through collaboration with other IPOS projects, it has been possible to broaden issues. No exchange of materials / results has been made, mainly due to confidentiality requirements. Through a broad project constellation (various industrial actors, engineering companies, industry organizations, academia and institutes), issues have been able to be broadly elucidated.