Page 4 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2024
P. 4

Innovative engineered wood products made from Thermo-

            hydro-mechanical densifi ed wood with enhanced physical,

                        mechanical, and fi re performance (WoDeFi)


                 Lei Han  *, Marica Mikuljan  , Matthew Schwarzkopf  , Jaka Gašper Pečnik  ,
                                                1,2
                                                                           1,2
                          1,2
                                                                                                     1,2
                                          Lea Primožič  , Andreja Kutnar
                                                                             1,2
                                                         1,2
       1  InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, 6310 Izola, Slovenia; Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies
       2  University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
       * Corresponding author


       In the past decade, the demand for wood applications in both residential and non-residential building construction
       has been on the rise. Due to increased competition from traditional and new industries that are based on
       renewable resources, forest resources must be considered limited. This increase in demand requires technologies
       to increase the life span and functionality of forest products to reduce the stress on forests. Competitive and


       environmentally friendly wood modification processes such as Thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) densification
       have been and continue to be developed to improve the intrinsic properties of wood and ensure the desired form
       and functionality.

       Nevertheless, wood as a natural material has some inherent features which could cause some problems. The

       current standards normally rate untreated mass-timber as flammable material. Hence, virgin wood products
       play a restrictive role in most of the built environment. This has been reinforced by some building codes and
       regulations through height and area limitations. The implementation of engineering processes to improve wood

       regarding durability or other properties should not overlook its effect on fire behavior. Therefore, the overall

       goal of the project is to apply wood THM densification to develop high performance engineered wood products
       (EWPs) with enhanced mechanical properties and fire resistance.




       Keywords: EWP, fire safety, densification, timber construction
       Acknowledgment: This project J4-50132 has received funding from the Slovenia Research and Innovation
       Agency (ARIS).



























       4                   11–12 SEPTEMBER 2024               I   IZOLA, SLOVENIA
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9