Characterization of the Biodeterioration Caused by the Fungus Serpula lacrymans in Lignocellulosic Materials of Building Envelopes

Serpula lacrymans is considered the most aggressive and harmful brown-rot fungus for wooden buildings worldwide, and it has led to substantial economic losses due to the deterioration of wood and wooden-base structures. This study aims to connect the loss of parallel compressive strength and mass loss caused by the fungus Serpula lacrymans in different lignocellulosic materials commonly used in building envelopes in Chile. Samples suspected to contain the fungus Serpula lacrymans were gathered from four Chilean localities. From these samples, the fungus under investigation was isolated and identified in the laboratory. It was used to inoculate wood samples of radiata pine, impregnated radiata pine with chromated copper and arsenate (CCA) salts, raulí (Nothofagus alpina), oriented strand board (OSB), and plywood to evaluate compressive strength at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. As expected, the best mass loss results were obtained in impregnated pine and plywood, with values of 0.8% and 2.5%, respectively. However, significant parallel compression strength losses of 42% and 28%, respectively, were observed. This study provides valuable information for the structural diagnosis of wood elements attacked by the fungus Serpula lacrymans.