Non-destructive Testing of Wooden Elements

Examining the condition of wooden elements is crucial from the perspective of proper structure performance. If the deterioration in the internal wood condition, which displays no symptoms visible from the outside, is detected, the further spread of the deterioration can be prevented. Test results often point to the necessity of conducting repairs and, renovations, replacing the structure of wooden beams, or even substituting a significant part of the structure. To achieve acceptable results, test methods should take into account the anisotropic nature of wood, which includes the shape of annual rings, as well as the location of the core in crosssection. To adopt methods based on physical effects, profound knowledge of wood physics is needed, particularly of interdependence. Apart from simple tests such as a visual inspection or tapping that are used to determine near-surface defects, non-destructive testing (NDT) plays an important role in the process. This paper presents the methods of non-destructive testing of wooden elements. These methods include tests conducted with ground penetrating radar (GPR), thermal techniques, microwaves, acoustic emission, ultrasonic tomography, and X-ray tomography. The paper summarises the use of non-destructive methods, indicating their advantages, disadvantages as well as some limitations.