Evaluation and Protection of Wood and Wood Products

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout human history, timber has been one of the most important materials, its versatility allowing it to be used for construction, weapons, tools, furniture, and art, to name but a few of its application areas. In construction, the role of wood throughout the last millennium has been superseded sequentially by stone, bricks, iron, steel, and concrete. Recently, industrial activities have been greatly influenced by environmental changes, which have placed a stronger focus on the necessity to meet human future demands through sustainable approaches. This has led to a renaissance in timber construction, so that timber is now considered the chief material for the 21st century. 

However, given the biological nature of wood, under certain conditions it is susceptible to deterioration. Additionally, it can be easily destroyed by fire, as has happened in medieval towns and cities where widespread fires have burned important structures and items. Modern methods of manufacture, treatment, and design can now protect wood from such catastrophic incidents and limit its damage, but modern and historical structures containing timber still need to be monitored to ensure their preservation.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present many of the worldwide applications of wood and wood products, particularly within the topics:

• Assessement and modelling of wood durability (e.g., moisture dynamics, biological susceptibility, weathering)
• Performance of wood and other lignocellulosic materials and composites
• Use of novel bio-based materials in building
• Wood protection
• Fire protection
• Integrated pest control methods to avoid insect deterioration
• Heritage conservation and rehabilitation

Dr. Lina Nunes
Dr. Dennis Jones
Dr. Bruno Esteves
Guest Editors

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