Utilization of Wood Modification for the Purpose of Moisture Volume Changes Reduction

Application of timber structures in civil engineering is completely traditional technology. On the other hand, the materials with better durability characteristics are preferred in present construction. Increased or fluctuating moisture of wood is a significant limiting factor of its life. Wood modification, which results in water intake reduction and also serves to maintain the low equilibrium moisture, may significantly improve the properties of wood, reduces the caused volumetric changes and extends its durability. Utilization of partial or total wood mineralization is just one of the material modification possibilities. This method seems to be promising due to so far gathered results, namely the anti swelling efficiency was greater than 65% for tested wooden species.