Timbers wrapped

Breaches in the wrapping material may allow colonisation by wood-boring insects. A survey of 1,568 Mary Rose timbers stored in polyethylene bags revealed the presence of wharf-borer beetle larvae in 2% of these timbers. Attack by this insect is not always apparent from examination of the timber... 

Research at the Mary Rose Trust has shown that gamma irradiation is a superior alternative to low temperature and biocide treatments of polyethylene-wrapped timbers and has been adopted by the Trust since 1998. Screening a range of bacteria and fungi isolated from waterlogged archaeological wood revealed that a dose of 15 KGy is required for the inactivation of most organisms (see Table 2). 

Externally bonded FRP plates, sheets and wraps for the strengthening of reinforced concrete, steel, aluminium and timber structural members... 

The use of this method to wrap around timber members is not recommended, because the resulting sharp angles of the composite (in the case of rectangular cross-sections) will create high stress concentration that may lead to a premature failure. 

Separators. Coated surfaces should preferably not be in contact. Wrapping, packaging, or crates used to reduce damage whilst items are in transit may perform this function. For large items, timber packings should be specified. 

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