Projects (25)

SIRT Transition & Project Development 2023 Feb 1, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024
Forward planning for the SIRT project as we move into the new phase of the project in April. This includes time taken for field work not included in the original SIRT plan, project planning for the current and future projects and training for staff... Read More about SIRT Transition & Project Development 2023.

Building From England's Woodlands Jul 1, 2022 - Jun 30, 2025
The focus of the project is to develop 5 building system concepts through innovative digital design, adapted to the characteristics of 5 underutilised home-grown English timber species. Each project should be developed to create 1:1 physical prototyp... Read More about Building From England's Woodlands.

An easier route for strength grading UK hardwoods Mar 1, 2023 - Aug 31, 2026
The project aims to improve grading options for home-grown hardwoods, with a more cost-effective route to establishing grading and easier to apply visual grading rules for producers. Properties of three home-grown hardwood species are characterised b... Read More about An easier route for strength grading UK hardwoods.

SIRT 2021-2022 (WP1&2) Sep 1, 2021 - Aug 31, 2022
Our research activities are focused on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of wood and how these affect its performance in different applications. Our main aim is to better understand how the management site, and climate, of forests... Read More about SIRT 2021-2022 (WP1&2).

SIRT 2020-2021 (WP1&2) Sep 1, 2020 - Aug 31, 2021
Our research activities are focused on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of wood and how these affect its performance in different applications. Our main aim is to better understand how the management site, and climate, of forests... Read More about SIRT 2020-2021 (WP1&2).

SIRT 2019-20 (WP1&2) Sep 1, 2019 - Aug 31, 2020

Our research activities are focused on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of wood and how these affect its performance in different applications. Our main aim is to better understand how the management site, and climate, of... Read More about SIRT 2019-20 (WP1&2).

SIRT 2018-19 (WP1&2) Aug 1, 2018 - Jul 31, 2019
Our research activities are focused on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of wood and how these affect its performance in different applications. Our main aim is to better understand how the management site, and climate, of forests... Read More about SIRT 2018-19 (WP1&2).

InFutUReWood Mar 1, 2019 - Feb 28, 2022
Timber and construction research

SIRT WP2 2017-18 Aug 1, 2017 - Jul 31, 2018
Timber grading standards support ensuring standards are good for the domestic timber industries, and supporting industry in using them

SIRT WP1 2017-18 Aug 1, 2017 - Jul 31, 2018
Applied research and knowledge transfer addressing industry needs – as set out by the SIRT management board. This includes providing information and advice to industry sponsors

Extractives database support Mar 1, 2017 - Feb 28, 2018
Maintenance and hosting of website database developed in previous project

Appearance grading Scots pine timber for joinery Dec 1, 2016 - Nov 30, 2017
This one year project will undertake a literature review and physical testing of Scots pine logs and boards. The aim of the project is to develop a predictive model of the knot characteristics of boards produced from Scots pine logs. The project will... Read More about Appearance grading Scots pine timber for joinery.

Improving the quality of Sitka spruce structural timber etc May 1, 2011 - Apr 30, 2014

The Extractive Components of UK Hardwood Apr 1, 2016 - Mar 31, 2017
Use the ITED system to search literature based observations about the chemical extractive components of both broadleaf and conifer tree species commonly grown in the UK.

Chemically, wood structure mainly comprises of cellulose, hemicel... Read More about The Extractive Components of UK Hardwood.

Exploratory non-destructive testing of historical wooden painted ceilings Nov 22, 2010 - Jul 27, 2012
The project is to be an exploratory study using a number of dismantled historic painted ceilings in storage. The purpose is to understand the possibilities and challenges for non-destructive testing of in-situ ceiling and, in doing so, also produce i... Read More about Exploratory non-destructive testing of historical wooden painted ceilings.

Improving the quality of Larch & Douglas Fir for Structural timber May 1, 2011 - Apr 30, 2014
Distortion (warping) when sawn timber is kiln-dried has been identified as the most important quality barrier preventing the wider utilisation of UK-grown timber in the construction industry. Using more timber in new buildings would not only add val... Read More about Improving the quality of Larch & Douglas Fir for Structural timber.

Edinburgh Beltane Public Engagement Fellowship Jan 10, 2011 - Jul 31, 2012
Edinburgh Beltane Public Engagement Fellowship: National photography competition - science and Engineering in the forest industries

Historic Scotland, Development of Appropriate Tools for the Analysis of Historic Timber Feb 5, 2012 - Mar 25, 2013
Exploratory non-destructive testing of historic and artificially aged timber with a view to developing an inexpensive method of assessing historical wooden building elements in situ for condition and wood properties for monitoring and repair.

Extractive components of Scottish roundwood May 4, 2015 - Dec 9, 2015
To investigate the extractives that are available in Sitka sprice, Scots pine and hybrid larch. To understand how the extractives vary between crop parts e.g. heartwood, bark, stumps, brash and thinnings. To use the findings to propose future studies... Read More about Extractive components of Scottish roundwood.

Larch grading setting Mar 1, 2014 - Oct 31, 2015
To create approved settings for existing x-ray and acoustic grading machines for British larch whilst creating knowledge on dimensional tolerance and creating a subset of sample resource for Proof of Concept test work.

SIRT workplan 2014/17 (Workpackage 1) Mar 1, 2014 - Jul 31, 2018
Improving industry knowledge of timer properties and utilisation potential of 'alternative species', testing 6 different species. Disseminate and promote effectively the outputs of the programme, including an annual event for industry.

Growth & quality of minor conifer timber species Oct 1, 2012 - Sep 30, 2016
PhD investigating performance of timber from some minor species while developing approaches for assessing wood in standing trees.

Public engagement work - Bright Club Scotland Nov 2, 2012 - Oct 31, 2015
Public engagement and providing training for others doing public engagement

Timber grading standards support (Workpackage 2) Jul 1, 2014 - Jul 31, 2018
Provide support to the forest industry through representation on various GB and European committees, and to provide dissemination and facilitate events to the sawmill industy.

Mobility grant with Ukrainian National Forestry University Nov 1, 2016 - Oct 31, 2017
British Council "Mobility Grant for Leadership Development Project". Funds visit by 6 persons from Ukraine to Edinburgh to seek potential collaborations in education and work based learning.