The over-specification and unnecessary treatment of timber could be eliminated thanks to a research project led by TRADA Technology Ltd.
The £140,000 project, which has been awarded £60,000 funding by the DTI under the Partners in Innovation programme (TTJ April 27), will study how early design decisions can avoid waste.
TRADA Technology prinicipal engineer Rob Bainbridge said: ‘Professionals can over-specify timber structures and wood construction, adding unnecessary financial and environmental cost.
‘Also, wood is often treated with synthetic chemicals, when correct passive durability design would obviate the need for treatment at all.’
Mr Bainbridge said the main task of the research team would be to understand why professionals over-specify timber components.
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“Professionals can over-specify timber structures and wood construction, adding unnecessary financial and environmental cost” |
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TRADA Technology prinicipal engineer Rob Bainbridge |
The project will also study the balance between specification and service life expectations and what is achieved in practice.
Mr Bainbridge said: ‘The greater use of European larch, British-grown oak and Douglas fir, for example, could help alleviate many of timber’s end-of-life cycle problems. It makes sense to specify home-produced species which are better able to withstand our climatic conditions without the need for treatment.’
The research proposal was backed by CRISP, the Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel. Project partners include TRADA, Andrew Waring Associates, Cardiff University School of Engineering, Pren Welsh Oak and Chiltern Clarke Bond.
One aim will be to develop IT tools for architects, structural engineers and other construction professionals for ‘passively durable’ concept designs. Benefits of the research could include reduced environmental impact and greater scope for reusing and recycling untreated timber.
