The Significance of Accelerated Laboratory Testing Methods Determining the Natural Durability of Wood

Abstract

Summary Under laboratory conditions basidiomycete and soft rot tests were carried out on more than 20 hardwood species and 3 softwood species together with reference species to evaluate their natural durability according to the European standard EN 350 part 1. The basidiomycetes tests were carried out using Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coniophora puteana, Poria placenta and Coriolus versicolor, all fungal strains in malt agar tests and in agreement with the EN 113. Such tests did not provide a solid basis to classify all wood species according to known durability classes (EN 350, part 2). There was only a distinct differentiation noted between those species belonging to the group with a durability classified 1 to 3 and those classified 4 to 5. Conclusively, only limited additional information on durability of tropical hardwoods was gained from brown rot tests. Despite both types of laboratory tests on soft rot, prescribed in ENV 807 (vermiculite and soil) which show the essential differences to the basidiomycete test results, it has not been possible to classify the durability subdivisions in a more substantial way. Adding to these tests the durability classification, based upon a field stake test (EN 252) and a greenhouse accelerated stake test, was also carried out. Using this last method, results can be gathered more rapidly and consequently confirm the efficiency of lab tests. Generally it is perceived that lab tests and accelerated tests are important tools in the prediction of the natural durability of wood. To further improve the predictability value, durability testing would be enhanced when using a hazard class orientation. Therefore the function of the conclusive end product can be identified in a more obvious way.