STATE OF THE ART REVIEWS

COST ACTION E22: Environmental optimisation of wood protection
Deterioration of wood – a long term test of a traffic sound barrier (KTH)
Along a rapid train track from downtown Stockholm to Arlanda airport sound barriers
have been built. The total length is about 11 km and the main part is made of larch
wood. Ten sections - four meters each - are made of other wood species with and without
treatments. These sections and the adjacent larch section were carefully documented
as regards wood quality parameters and treatment. They have now been exposed for
almost three years and some deterioration can be expected. Microscopic and chemical
analyses will now be performed and the deterioration will be continuously followed
during several years. The aim is primarily to compare larch with other species in this
application. Furthermore the case could be used for methodological studies e.g. related
to the project “Environmental impact from building materials as influenced by durability
and service life”.
The project is performed in co-operation with the Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences and the Swedish National Testing and Research Institute.
Contact person:
Prof. Kai Ödeen
E-mail: kai@bim.kth.se
Evaluation of wood preservation according to EN 351 (SP)
Since 1998 industrial wood preservation in the Nordic countries is carried out according
to the European standards EN 351 and EN 599. In a project with participating institutes
from all Nordic countries the experiences so far with the new treatment specifications
will be evaluated. The evaluation will focus on the following issues:
• The quality requirements: are they reasonable?
• The factory production control;
• Third party inspections (interpretation of guidelines of sampling, chemical analysis
etc);
• Comparison with the previous standards and requirements.
Experiences from the wood preserving industry and certification bodies will be collected
and considered. A report is expected during 2001.
Contact person:
Mr Jöran Jermer
E-mail: joran.jermer@sp.se
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