Outdoor load-bearing timber structures (IPOS)

Category: Innovation projects

The project ran between September 2017 and November 2020.

The project was a part of the innovation project IPOS. Acetylated Scandinavian wood species were studied for different types of load bearing applications. Pine and birch, and both solid timber and veneers were studied. The studies included investigations related to possibilities to glue, to manufacture plywood from acetylated veneers, durability, basic mechanical properties of the wood (strength, stiffness, fracture energy), finger jointing and production of hybrid components (combining acetylated and non-modified wood) and different type of joints (dowel type joints and bonded-in rods). Among the most important conclusions drawn it was found that there is indeed a technical potential in using acetylated wood for outdoor load bearing structures. The mechanical properties are affected by acetylation, but the benefits gained, especially in terms of dimensional stability, are substantial. The current acetylation processes used for nonstructural material is probably possible to use for sapwood of Scots pine with only minor changes.

Photo from the lab.

Participants

Lunds universitet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Novana AB, TMF, Accsys, Akzo Nobel, InnoVentum, Koskisen, Miebach, Modvion, Moelven Töreboda, Rotho Blaas, Simonin and Vanhälls Såg.

Budget

The project’s budget was 4 720 000 SEK.