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BIM-based framework for estimating service life duration of wood construction elements under environmental exposure
Richard Acquah, Jonas Niklewski, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Jakub Michal Sandak, 2026, original scientific article

Abstract: As the construction industry adopts more data-driven and sustainable practices, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is increasingly used for energy analysis, lifecycle management, and maintenance planning. However, its integration with service life performance analysis especially for wood, a material susceptible to environmental degradation remains limited. This study presents a BIM-based framework that incorporates wood-specific parameters such as environmental exposure, material properties, and design detailing to estimate the service life of wood construction elements. The framework is structured using ISO 15,686–4 principles and implemented through custom Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) property sets. A Revit plugin developed in C# integrates the model into the BIM environment. A case study of a wooden playhouse is used as a proof-of-concept to demonstrates the framework’s ability to evaluate the impact of design, material, and environmental factors on service life. The results confirm that the framework supports service life prediction and enhances decision-making for wood-based construction. Twenty-one-month observations align with predicted results. However, long-term (2–9 year) predictions remain unvalidated, requiring extended monitoring. By integration of the service life prediction for fungal decay into BIM it offers a practical and scalable tool to support service life–informed design and planning for wood structures.
Keywords: service life prediction, wood material durability, environmental exposure, wood 28 construction, sustainable construction, building information modelling (BIM)
Published in RUP: 24.11.2025; Views: 348; Downloads: 10
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Photochemical behavior of colloidal lignin particles under controlled UV exposure : balancing self-stabilization and degradation
Julia Tomasich, Rene Alexander Herrera Diaz, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Michael Harasek, Stefan Beisl, Oihana Gordobil, 2025, original scientific article

Abstract: Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLPs), with their polyphenolic structure, are promising sustainable alternatives to chemical UV filters. This study investigates the photochemical behavior of CLPs under ultraviolet irradiation synthetized from five different technical raw lignins (Alkali, Organosolv, two Enzymatic Hydrolyzed and Softwood Kraft Lignin) via solvent-shift procedure. The suspensions were irradiated using a self-developed UV-pen set-up and a commercially available UV chamber, enabling controlled UV exposure over time. Variations in the physicochemical properties of irradiated colloidal lignin particles were characterized by Multi-Angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MADLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with chemometrics, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and High-Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography (HP-SEC). CLPs exhibited comparable responses after 14 days of UV exposure, with alterations in particle chemistry, particularly in the formation of new functional groups and molecular rearrangement. Moreover, the photochemical stability of CLPs was found to be highly dependent on both their concentration and the nature of the dispersion medium (aqueous, hexane-based, and solid-state). At higher concentrations (1.8 mg/mL), CLPs demonstrated effective self-stabilization, while lower concentrations led to rapid degradation, resulting in the disappearance of particles and the formation of low-molecular-weight fragments. Additionally, Minimal photochemical changes were observed in non-aqueous or solid-state environments due to restricted molecular mobility. These findings provide valuable insights into the degradation pathways and stability across different environmental contexts, which can contribute to understanding the potential environmental impact of CLPs in aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords: biobased materials, lignin colloidal particles, photodegradation, UV-irradiation, spectroscopy
Published in RUP: 09.09.2025; Views: 453; Downloads: 5
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Feasibility of portable NIR spectrometer for quality assurance in glue-laminated timber production
Jakub Michal Sandak, Peter Niemz, Andreas Hänsel, Juana Mai, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, 2021, original scientific article

Keywords: near infrared spectroscopy, glue-laminated timber, glulam, delamination, quality assurance
Published in RUP: 18.10.2021; Views: 4203; Downloads: 26
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Special Issue "Wood modification: characterization, modelling, and applications"
Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Jakub Michal Sandak, 2021, preface, editorial, afterword

Keywords: wood modification, characterization, modelling, applications
Published in RUP: 30.07.2021; Views: 2794; Downloads: 34
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Growth of xerophilic fungi on model paint samples on glass and wooden supports under low humidity conditions
Janez Kosel, Jakub Michal Sandak, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Lea Legan, Klara Retko, Maša Kavčič, Črtomir Tavzes, Miklós Ferenz Krész, Polonca Ropret, 2021, published scientific conference contribution abstract

Keywords: Aspergillus, Penicillium, xerophilic fungi, pigments
Published in RUP: 24.06.2021; Views: 2585; Downloads: 69
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