Comparative studies on the in-ground and above-ground durability of European oak heartwood (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.)

authored by: C. Brischke, C. R. Welzbacher, A. O. Rapp, U. Augusta, K. Brandt
Abstract: The durability of European oak (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) is controversially discussed since a long time. While it is classified as a "durable" timber species (durability class 2, according to EN 350-2), results from different studies indicated a lower durability. Therefore comparative studies with sessile oak and English oak were carried out including laboratory resistance tests against different basidiomycetes, soil box tests against soft rot and other soil-inhabiting micro-organisms, as well as in-ground and above-ground field trials at different test sites. Both oak species were rated "non-durable" (durability class 5, DC 5) in soil box tests and in-ground field trials and "slightly durable" (DC 4) in above-ground field trials. Solely results from laboratory tests with pure basidiomycete cultures led to partly better estimates ("very durable" to "moderately durable" DC 1-3), but did not represent the organisms responsible for decay in the field. For oak, EN 350-2 reflects only laboratory results but not the performance of the material in real field situations.
Organisation(s): Institute of Vocational Sciences in the Building Trade
External Organisation(s): Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
Type: Article
Journal: European Journal of Wood and Wood Products
Volume: 67
Pages: 329-338
No. of pages: 10
ISSN: 0018-3768
Publication date: 08.2009
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Forestry, General Materials Science
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-009-0329-x (Access: Closed)

BibTeX

@article{4684dc901a37436ea78c70a5defb8b3b,
title = "Comparative studies on the in-ground and above-ground durability of European oak heartwood (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.)",
abstract = "The durability of European oak (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) is controversially discussed since a long time. While it is classified as a {"}durable{"} timber species (durability class 2, according to EN 350-2), results from different studies indicated a lower durability. Therefore comparative studies with sessile oak and English oak were carried out including laboratory resistance tests against different basidiomycetes, soil box tests against soft rot and other soil-inhabiting micro-organisms, as well as in-ground and above-ground field trials at different test sites. Both oak species were rated {"}non-durable{"} (durability class 5, DC 5) in soil box tests and in-ground field trials and {"}slightly durable{"} (DC 4) in above-ground field trials. Solely results from laboratory tests with pure basidiomycete cultures led to partly better estimates ({"}very durable{"} to {"}moderately durable{"} DC 1-3), but did not represent the organisms responsible for decay in the field. For oak, EN 350-2 reflects only laboratory results but not the performance of the material in real field situations.",
author = "C. Brischke and Welzbacher, {C. R.} and Rapp, {A. O.} and U. Augusta and K. Brandt",
year = "2009",
month = aug,
doi = "10.1007/s00107-009-0329-x",
language = "English",
volume = "67",
pages = "329--338",
journal = "European Journal of Wood and Wood Products",
issn = "0018-3768",
publisher = "Springer Verlag",
number = "3",
}