Research Output
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber: Getting the most out of the UK's timber resource.
  Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is the United Kingdom’s main commercial tree species accounting for nearly one-third of the UK's total woodland area and half of its conifer estate. Sawn timber from this species readily grades to the C16 strength class, but there are factors beyond the structural grade that can influence its acceptance as a construction material. This paper summarises the results from resource characterisation studies that have investigated the properties of Sitka spruce at the standing-tree scale down to the scale of a few microns. These studies have substantially improved the understanding of the impact on mechanical performance of structural timber of factors at the micro-structural level (e.g. cellulose structure and abundance) and at the forest-level (e.g. genetics, the environment and forest management). End-user requirements for timber are discussed in terms of what is, and is not, provided by current grading practice and some of the main misconceptions about UK-timber are challenged.

  • Type:

    Article

  • Publication Status:

    Published

  • Publisher

    University of Bath

  • Funders:

    University of Bath; BRE:CICM; Pontificia Universidade Catolica (PUC), Rio de Janeiro; Associacao Brasileira de Materiais e Technologias Nao Convencianais

Citation

Ridley-Ellis, D., Moore, J., Lyon, A. J., Searles, G. J. & Gardiner, B. A. (2009). Strategic Integrated Research in Timber: Getting the most out of the UK's timber resource. Non-conventional Materials and Technologies

Authors

Keywords

Sitka Spruce; UK; Commercial timber; Structural properties; Macroscopic studies; Microscopic studies; Cellulose abundance; Cellulose molecular structure; Forest genetics; Enivronment; Forest management; Market requirements;

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