Behavior of white wood at elevated temperatures: insights from numerical and experimental studies

This study investigates the fire behavior of white wood, a commercially dominant softwood in Algerian construction (cf. Picea abies). Using a combined experimental and numerical approach, the thermo-mechanical degradation of 8x8x32 cm specimens was analyzed. Experiments involved heating samples in an electric oven at 200 °C and 300 °C, with complementary simulations performed using the SAFIR software. The results confirm that elevated temperatures induce significant mass loss and a pronounced thermal gradient, with the core lagging behind the surface. This thermal degradation directly compromises mechanical properties, notably stiffness. Furthermore, the study establishes a clear link between physical phenomena — charring, smoke emission, mass loss — and the underlying degradation mechanisms. A critical finding was the failure of adhesive bonds at high temperatures, revealing a key vulnerability in assembled wooden structures under fire conditions. These findings provide essential data for modeling the fire performance of a vital local material, thereby informing safer regional construction practices.