Biodeterioration and wood protection
Wood is a biogenic material that offers advantages in terms of ecology and sustainability, but it has weaknesses when it comes to its preservation. In the field of construction, it is essential to be aware of potential problems concerned with the biodeterioration of wood, its susceptibility to insects and fungi, and its optimal conditions for preservation. This webinar addresses the principles of wood durability, the regulations that apply to the structural sector, and the main precautions to be taken for its preservation.
The webinar is structured according to the following thematic sections:
- Biodeterioration of wood
- Xylophagous insects
- Fungi
- Causes of biological damage in timber construction
- Abiotic degradation
- Regulatory references
Marco Togni
An associate professor at the University of Florence since 2001, he holds a degree in Forest Sciences from the University of Florence and obtained a PhD in Wood Science from the same university in 1995. His main fields of research are concerned with wood for structural use: assessment of the mechanical properties of ancient timber structural components and structural systems, in situ inspection and diagnosis, and the characterisation of timber for structural use. He is involved in regional and national research on the quality, uses and characterisation of timber.
Paola Mazzanti
A researcher at the University of Florence, she holds a degree in Forest Sciences from the University of Florence and obtained a PhD in Wood Science and Technology from the same university in 2008. Since then she has been involved in conservation of the cultural heritage of wood, studying the hygromechanical behaviour of wood, its relationship with water, its rheological behaviour, and its biodeterioration. She collaborates with national and international institutions researching the conservation of the cultural heritage of wood.
BE-WoodEN Webinar
This webinar series is organised as part of the European project LIFE BE-WoodEN, which aims to increase the circular economy and the use of wood in construction. BE-WoodEN aims to train experienced professionals in design according to the principles of the New European Bauhaus, increase knowledge in sustainable design, with a specific focus on the use of wood and an in-depth study of the characteristics of natural materials and composite products. The training activities consist of three modules of webinars (with 8 or 9 webinars each) delivered online asynchronously, each of which can be followed independently.
