Old and Modern Wooden Buildings in the Context of Sustainable Development

Abstract

Construction is a powerful industry that is not indifferent to the environment. Neither the maintenance of buildings in a proper technical condition nor their eventual demolition is indifferent to the environment. The main threats to the environment are still the inefficient use of construction materials and energy needed for their production and installation, as well as the emission of harmful substances to the environment at the stage of operation of buildings and their demolition. This article discusses the importance of wood as a renewable material in terms of its physical and mechanical properties. The restoration of forest areas is of great importance to the global ecosystem and the sustainable development system, reducing the threat of global warming and the greenhouse effect by reducing CO2 levels. In addition, demolition wood can be reused in construction, can be safely recycled as it quickly decomposes, or can be used as a source of renewable energy. The preservation of existing timber-framed buildings in good condition contributes to a lower consumption of this raw material for repair, which already significantly reduces the energy required for their manufacture, transport, and assembly. This also reduces the amount of waste that would have to be disposed of in various ways. Both at the stage of design, execution, and then exploitation, one forgets about the physical processes taking place inside the partitions and about the external climatic influences of the environment (precipitation, water vapor, and temperature) on which the type, intensity, and extent of chemical and biological corrosion depend to a very high degree. This paper presents examples of the influence of such impacts on the operational safety of three selected objects: a feed storehouse and an officer casino building from the second half of the nineteenth century and an 18th century rural homestead building. The research carried out on wooden structures of the above-mentioned objects “in situ” was verified by means of simulation models, which presented their initial and current technical conditions in relation to the type and amount of impact they should safely absorb. Moreover, within the framework of this paper, artificial intelligence methods have been implemented to predict the biological corrosion of the structures studied. The aim of the paper was to draw attention to the timber already built into buildings, which may constitute waste even after several years of operation, requiring disposal and at the same time the production of a substitute. The purpose of the research carried out by the authors of the article was to examine the older and newer buildings in use, the structures of which, in whole or in part, were made of wood. On a global scale, there will be considerable demand for the energy required to thermally dispose of this waste or to deposit it in landfills with very limited capacity until its complete biological decomposition. These energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions can be prevented by effective diagnostics of such structures and the predictability of their behaviour over time, with respect to the conditions under which they are operated. The authors of the article, during each assessment of the technical condition of a building containing wooden elements, analysed the condition of their protection each time and predicted the period of their safe life without the need for additional reinforcements or replacement by others. As the later reality shows, it is a very effective method of saving money and energy.

Research on 18th-Century Building Structures in Terms of Static Scheme Changes

“…Taking into account a BIM flowchart supports the process of assessing the condition of the structure, as confirmed in [33,34]. Aspects taking into account sustainable development are also important during the process of condition assessment and renovation [35].…”

Design of Sustainable Modular Wooden Booths Inspired by Revitalization of Croatian Traditional Construction and New User Needs Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The use of wood for building construction is cited as a demanding form of wood utilization, due to the high aesthetic, thermal, and other physical and technical requirements over a long period, often for centuries [36]. Wood is recognized as a sustainable and safe building material of today, one that, with the above characteristics, provides healthy and environmentally friendly surroundings [37,38]. However, in outdoor conditions, wood is exposed to several chemical and physical changes that reduce its aesthetic value and durability.…”

“…In that sense, appropriate surface protection and careful construction are needed to maintain and revitalize wooden buildings [39]. Wood as a building material should be utilized appropriately and correctly, and the basic rules in the application of structural and surface protection should be respected [38,[40][41][42].…”

The effect of flame retardants on the fire technical characteristics of recycled textiles

“…From this point of view, there has been a dynamic development in recent years, especially in the branch of wooden constructions and the insulating materials used in them. [1][2][3][4][5] With the increase in the prices of building materials, including wood, new building components are being developed, the main component of which is recycled and natural materials. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Bio-materials made from renewable resources have recently been developed based on the concepts of bio-economy and low-carbon economy.…”