Studies and Research

The Studies and Research activity forms the subject of a scientific annual report.
Our Research Report 2004-2005 is available in PDF format (around 625 ko).

To develop a long-term action plan, we need to conciliate the extreme diversity of the application fields of the wood material with the intentionally restrictive choice of the research subjects.
The CTBA strategic thinking allows to define our activities in terms of R&D, bringing out the backing of our industrial sectors.
We try to conciliate a large technology watch to initiate potential technology transfers, focusing appropriate human and material resources on targeted research actions motivated by important industrial issues.
The important testing means at our disposal and the teams and skills reinforcement allow us to have a more global approach. So that the pluri-disciplinary approach of the construction field makes it possible to take into account the architectural, mechanical, thermal, acoustic and fire resistance aspects in an interactive way.
A line of thinking on the organizational structure of our studies and research projects has been introduced, aimed at encouraging a systemic approach, with problems now being appraised in all their many different forms. As a result, it has seemed desirable to prefer transversality between areas of expertise, as reflected by the content of the new research fields, which are fewer in number, but more inclusive than the previous fields, simplifying the readability of our research and development activities.
Our research fields are now as follows:

Supply
The Supply research field covers all operations associated with supply chain of wood processing centres, from the forest itself to the delivery of end products. These products are defined both by their dimensions and by some of their features, like, for example, humidity. The Supply research field thus encompasses the issue of drying.covers all operations associated with supply chain of wood processing centres, from the forest itself to the delivery of end products.

Characterization
The Characterization research field encompasses the former fields of Detection, Glueing, and Qualification. It covers the study of the behaviour of solid wood and wood-based materials under differing stresses.

Design
This research field covers the study and optimization of the performances of furniture products in relation to their use. This calls for an overall innovative approach incorporating the various functional, standardization- and industrial factors.

Construction
The Construction field is designed around five main focus areas which help to anticipate and respond correctly to the general needs, as described in construction and civil engineering, involving timber: Assembly mechanics, Structural glueing, Structural mechanics, Thermal - Acoustics - Fire, Economical aspects of construction and technology transfer.

Protection
The goal of the Protection research field is to protect wood from its agents of degradation in order to provide long service lives for wooden structures and objects, and preserve their integrity. This research field thus encompasses and brings together the varying skills and know-how between areas of activity, associated with durability, preservation, outside cladding, and wood modification.

Processing
The goal of the Processing research field is to deal with everything concerning the creation of surfaces suitable for receiving various types of coating and cladding, finishes, decorations (machining, for example) with a view to enhancing the surface or product so as to give it an added value, open up new markets for it, and respond to new environmental restrictions, etc.

Sustainable Development
The goal of the Sustainable Development research field is to develop knowledge about the environmental impacts of wood and furniture industry processes and their products, throughout their life cycle. It is thus aimed on the one hand at helping manufacturers to anticipate and/or incorporate new environmental restrictions, and, on the other hand, to develop and underpin the 'Wood, eco-material' concept. It is likewise concerned with the reduction of environmental impacts by the treatment of pollutant agents.