Assessment of termite damage in wood using digital radioscopy

Title: Assessment of termite damage in wood using digital radioscopy
Author(s): R.W. Anthony
Paper category : conference
Book title: RILEM Symposium on On Site Assessment of Concrete, Masonry and Timber Structures - SACoMaTiS 2008
Editor(s): L. Binda, M. di Prisco, R. Felicetti
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-061-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-075-2
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2008
Pages: 1071 - 1080
Total Pages: 10
Nb references: 2
Language: English

Abstract: Insects and fungal decay damage historic wood fabric world-wide. Assessing the extent of damage without causing further harm has been difficult. Most methods for investigating wood deterioration are quasi-nondestructive in that they require some penetration of the wood to gather data on the internal condition. Digital radioscopy has been shown to be effective in identifying hidden conditions but, until recently, has not been useful in quantifying the extent of deterioration. Research done by the author to quantify the loss of material was applied in to the wood members of the Mission San Miguel Arcangel, located in Southern California.
The ceiling decking at Mission San Miguel consists primarily of nominal 2.5-cm thick boards throughout the nave and sacristy ceilings. These ceiling boards have extensive termite damage. Using techniques developed for x-ray examination of historic wood fabric, two ceiling boards were examined by digital radioscopy (one from the nave and one from the sacristy) and the loss of section was calculated. The damage was found to be typically a loss of approximately 50 percent of the wood material and was most severe near the wood surface.

Online publication: 2009-05-26
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00