Abstract:
This paper presents the initial laboratory work developed with the aim of consolidating timber that has been
subjected to the action of rot fungi, by impregnation with polymeric products. This technique has been largely
used in restoration of works of art but not so much in civil engineering.
Indeed, structural wooden elements in buildings are often subjected to degradation by rot fungi due to the
accidental presence of water from various causes such as deficiencies in plumbing, broken tiles, clogging of
guttering or degradation of exterior masonry. In these situations the question arises about which repair action to
take: replace the whole element? Replace only the damaged part by inserting prosthesis? Maintain the damaged
element, strengthening or consolidating it? The option of maintaining in the building the original (even though
deteriorated) timber has been gaining more and more importance, because the loss of the element contributes to
the loss of its historical identity. Consolidation by impregnation falls within this context, thus justifying deeper
studies.
The laboratorial work, developed using degraded maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) specimens, is presented. The
test-specimens were prepared in the laboratory, to reach different decay levels by varying the exposure time to
brown-rot fungi (Coniophora puteana). Three commercial low-viscosity products, specific for the impregnation
of timber deteriorated by rot fungi, were tested: two epoxy-based and one acrylic. The efficiency of these
products was assessed through compression tests parallel to the grain and hardness tests, involving both
impregnated and non impregnated wood. Their influence, when applied to degraded timber, on its water
absorption behavior was also tested.
