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An official report into the collapse of a 10-year-old mass-timber bridge in Norway in August 2022 has criticised the structure’s design and construction. Source: Dezeen Two drivers had to be rescued after the Tretten Bridge, over the Gudbrandsdalslågen river in the Øyer area of southern Norway, gave way as a heavy goods vehicle was crossing. Completed in only 2012, the glulam-and-steel truss bridge was designed by Norwegian architecture studio Plan Arkitekter and engineering firm Norconsult for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). A recent report by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) was critical of parties involved in the bridge’s construction and management. “The investigation has shown that inadequate caution was exercised in the planning, design, inspection and approval of Tretten Bridge, with respect to the risk factors linked to its unconventional design,” the report said. “A short construction period, span lengths and reuse of existing foundation were framework conditions for the planning of the bridge,” it continued. “These framework conditions, combined with the choice of material and a strong focus on aesthetics, contributed to the structure not being robust.” An earlier report concluded that the bridge most likely collapsed as a result of block shear failure – a type of fracture – in one of its timber diagonal members that had become weak over time. Tretten Bridge was designed while building regulations in Norway were in transition from a national system to European codes. Provisions for this transitional period enabled the project to follow the older national standards, which unlike the Eurocodes did not account for block shear failure. “In retrospect, all the involved parties can be criticised for selecting and accepting regulations that proved to have a serious shortcoming (block shear failure),” the NSIA said. The report also dealt with investigations of Tretten Bridge carried out after the collapse of the similarly constructed Perkolo Bridge in 2016. It found that despite “serious faults” being identified at Tretten Bridge around that time, little action was taken by the Norwegian road’s authority. “This represents a system failure in the NPRA, reflecting a lack of knowledge about block shear failure, as well as shortcomings in the bridge management system and risk management,” the report said. “The NSIA believes that Tretten Bridge should either immediately have been closed or traffic restrictions imposed in 2016 when finding over-utilisation in relation to block shear in several of the bridge’s connections,” it added. Six safety recommendations have been issued based on the investigation, which the NSIA said provide lessons for relevant organisations in Norway and abroad. These include reviewing the process for regulating and approving road-related structures and their materials in Norway and clarification of building regulations. Tretten Bridge was 148 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, with a main span of 70 metres. A report produced by Plan Arkitekter and Norconsult in 2013 gave the bridge a life expectancy of 100 years. “As far as the Accident Investigation Board is aware, there are no wooden and steel truss bridges in the world that are comparable to Tretten Bridge,” said the NSIA report (translated from Norwegian). “The bridge was special both in terms of span length and asymmetry, trusses in the same direction and the combination of wood and steel.” The NPRA is currently undertaking steps to improve bridge safety. Four similar bridges to Tretten Bridge will reportedly be rebuilt following inspections carried out after its collapse. Nine of 14 timber bridges that were closed following the incident remained shut or still had restrictions in place as of last month. Plan Arkitetker has designed many of Norway’s wooden bridges. “If you read the conclusion from NSIA you will see that the collapse of the Tretten Bridge was caused by deficient regulations (national code) for building timber structures at the time of planning/construction,” the studio’s Yngve Aartun told Dezeen in a statement. Tretten Bridge was 148 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, with a main span of 70 metres. A report produced by Plan Arkitekter and Norconsult in 2013 gave the bridge a life expectancy of 100 years. “As far as the Accident Investigation Board is aware, there are no wooden and steel truss bridges in the world that are comparable to Tretten Bridge,” said the NSIA report (translated from Norwegian). “The bridge was special both in terms of span length and asymmetry, trusses in the same direction and the combination of wood and steel.” The NPRA is currently undertaking steps to improve bridge safety. Four similar bridges to Tretten Bridge will reportedly be rebuilt following inspections carried out after its collapse. Nine of 14 timber bridges that were closed following the incident remained shut or still had restrictions in place as of last month. Plan Arkitetker has designed many of Norway’s wooden bridges. “If you read the conclusion from NSIA you will see that the collapse of the Tretten Bridge was caused by deficient regulations (national code) for building timber structures at the time of planning/construction,” the studio’s Yngve Aartun told Dezeen in a statement.

Seppi has released its all new “E20 direct” for excavators weighing from 12 to 21 tons – the forestry mulcher head for excavators marks a breakthrough in green management technology, promising increased efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and improved performance for forestry and earthmoving professionals. Source: Timberbiz “E20 direct” represents the first model of a new family of forestry mulchers designed for excavators. Recognizing the diverse applications of forestry mulchers, Seppi has designed the “E20 direct” to excel in construction site clearing, vegetation management along highways, railways, and power lines, as well as in wetlands maintenance and agricultural field reclamation. The heart of “E20 direct” is the rotor with fixed tools featuring the cut control system, driven by the innovative direct drive hydraulic transmission. The machine can mulch vegetation up to 20 cm in diameter. Its cutting-edge design partially integrates the hydraulic motor into the rotor, eliminating belt transmission and reducing power losses due to friction by approximately 50%. The result is improved efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and increased available power – all contributing to enhanced productivity. With four different working widths, ranging from 100 to 200 cm, “E20 direct” is recommended for excavators weighing between 12 and 21 tons, offering versatility and performance in a variety of applications. Furthermore, its compact design and reduced weight, thanks to the use of durable materials such as AR400 steel, make it more universal and easy to use and mount on various excavators. “With the introduction of ‘E20 direct,’ we achieve a significant milestone in vegetation management technology,” stated Lorenz Seppi, the president of SEPPI M. “We are committed to revolutionizing the industry by providing innovative solutions that not only increase productivity but also reduce operational costs and environmental impact.”

Metsä has decided to start a pre-engineering project for the first commercial factory producing a new packaging solution, Muoto. Muoto products are wood-based alternatives to plastic packaging. Source: Timberbiz Muoto packages are renewable and recyclable bioproducts that can be utilised in, e.g., takeaway, berry, tray, and combo packaging. Pre-engineering is a key planning phase, after which Metsä Group will have the conditions of factory planning in place to consider deciding on the factory investment, and it is expected to be completed in early 2025. Based on the outcome of pre-engineering and the continued work in the demo phase, mainly using a unique demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, Metsä Group will assess the possibility of starting this new business and investing in a factory to support that business. Metsä Group has already decided that the possible factory would be located at its Rauma site in Finland. “Taking an idea to industrial scale is a long road with multiple different phases. Deciding to start the pre-engineering project is a big milestone for us. Although many areas still need further development, we have now gathered enough proof to initiate this very important factory planning stage. The Muoto project has reached this point very quickly, considering that the project started almost from scratch for us in 2020. A big thank you goes to our project team and our main partner Valmet,” says Niklas von Weymarn, CEO at Metsä Spring. The technology applied in Muoto products converts wet wood pulp into 3-dimensional packages without any intermediate steps, meaning that the new products would be ready to be shipped to end customers as such. In addition to being easy to mould into different shapes, Muoto is lightweight, strong, and recyclable. The first usage cases ready for mass production will likely be light takeaway and lunch packages, berry containers, trays, and combo packaging. The final Muoto product catalogue will be decided when the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has been finalised. Earlier in the year, Metsä Spring appointed Veli-Pekka Kyllönen as Project Director, who will lead the pre-engineering project. His team will eventually comprise 5-10 experts, with recruitment currently ongoing.

Work is expected to begin soon on Western Australia’s largest timber frame apartment complex. Source: Timberbiz The Western Australian development body sold the land to developer Bluerock Projects for its Tuohy Garden Apartments plans in Midland, 16km east of the capital. Tuohy Garden Apartments will yield up to 51 apartments and will be available through an affordable build-to-rent initiative. Development approval has already been obtained for the site with construction anticipated to commence in the first half of 2024, with the first residents expected to be welcomed towards the end of 2025. The development will also incorporate 650 square meters of ground floor commercial space. “Tuohy Garden Apartments is expected to be Western Australia’s largest timber frame apartment complex and will feature a range of sustainability features to further reduce the cost of living such as the inclusion of solar panels and a smart metering system, alongside batteries utilising Powerledger Artificial Intelligence power trading technology,” Housing and Lands Minister John Carey said. “Other sustainable technologies include permeable paving systems for natural drainage, low carbon concrete and EV charging bays for visitors and residents.”

A new video has documented the impact that myrtle rust has on indigenous communities and the environment, reinforcing the need to maintain momentum in breeding for resistance and monitoring its spread. Source: Timberbiz Whakakotahitanga i te Kaupapa | Unity of Purpose, released by Scion and Rotoiti 15 Trust, is a video capturing activity from a cultural exchange in November last year that aimed to discuss the challenges posed by myrtle rust in New Zealand and Australia. Hosted in Rotorua, the exchange welcomed representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Queensland and New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water; the University of Tasmania; the Butchulla Nation (K’gari Queensland); the Gumbaynggirr Nation (Coffs Harbour, New South Wales) and the Bundjalung Nations (New South Wales). It offered a unique opportunity for cultures and researchers on both sides of the Tasman to connect and learn from each other. The eight-day visit highlighted the importance of sharing traditional knowledge and Western science between indigenous communities and researchers in both countries, and how they each have a role to play in protecting our environment from exotic diseases, such as myrtle rust. The short film weaves together First Nations’ and Māori perspectives on kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and the interconnectedness of all living things. It reveals the strong respect that both cultures have for the bush and takes viewers inside the ngahere around Rotorua, Scion’s nursery and to the trust’s marae on the shore of Lake Rotoiti, reinforcing the vital link between healthy forests and healthy people. The film also illustrates the work that Scion is doing in partnership with Rotoiti 15 Trust to monitor the spread of myrtle rust around the lakes area and efforts to breed more disease-tolerant species, starting with ramarama, rōhutu and their hybrids. The research is delivered through Te Rātā Whakamaru, a Jobs for Nature | Mahi mō te Taiao programme funded by the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai. With support from Scion scientists, the programme employs 10 full-time staff who have been trained as technicians (hōmiromiro) to collect field monitoring data and develop protocols for long-term resistance breeding trials. The challenge facing researchers is the time it takes to breed for resistance. Trees are slow growing, and the current research is only on small trees in pots. A multi-year programme is required to ensure the resistance is enduring. Both Scion and Rotoiti 15 Trust are exploring strategies for how the program will continue after the Jobs for Nature funding contract ends in December 2024. Scion forest geneticist Dr Heidi Dungey says there is a desire to see mana whenua (Ngāti Pikiao) and Rotoiti 15 Trust take greater ownership of the programme as part of their journey to reconnect people to nature and build a passion for conservation. In the video trust chairman Arapeta Tahana shares his vision for the future, adding that the goal of Ngāti Pikiao is to become guardians of their own rohe and whenua. “That essentially means that we need rangers on the ground…that are monitoring and supporting restoration efforts.” The visit to Rotorua followed an earlier trip to Queensland and New South Wales last year by representatives from Rotoiti 15 Trust and Scion. The cultural exchange was captured in a video called Roots of Resilience released last month across all six Australian States. Dr Geoff Pegg, senior principal forest pathologist at Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, says Australia’s forests are valued for their diverse ecosystems and unique biodiversity, adding that exotic diseases, such as myrtle rust, were a constant threat. “Endeavours like this cultural exchange underscore the vital importance of global collaboration and unified actions aimed at preserving biodiversity and strengthening ecological resilience. Traditional knowledge and Western Science must walk together to protect our Country and the unique forests in New Zealand too.” The exchange was funded by Catalyst Seeding funding provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Myrtle rust was first discovered on mainland New Zealand in 2017. Since then, Scion scientists have been involved in a suite of research aimed at protecting our most vulnerable myrtle species from the infectious airborne fungus. The disease targets new leaf growth and repeated infection causes trees to die back, affecting natural regeneration in the forest. View the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR2fExDRWYU