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As a result of Edinburgh Napier University's contribution to the `Strategic Integrated Research in Timber' network, the UK forest industries (from tree breeders to timber engineers) and policy makers are much better informed about the key characteristics of UK-grown timber (particularly the principal commercial species, Sitka spruce) and how these characteristics are influenced by tree growth, silviculture and processing decisions.
Information has been provided to support: improved grading of timber; segregation of logs and trees for optimal conversion; refocusing the UK tree breeding programme for future wood quality; improvement of European Standards for timber grading; and improved perception of UK-grown timber for construction use. These combine to produce impact through reduced wastage (material and energy) and creation of wider markets for UK-grown timber.
Edinburgh Napier University was the first to develop thin membrane vibration isolators (2005) to allow party walls in new attached homes to be built off raft foundations. This led to the first Proof of Concept for the construction industry (2008) for perimeter isolators for blockwork apartments. Several patents have been granted leading to nine products manufactured by Icopal-Monarfloor, based in Manchester (UK), part of the Icopal global group. Over 15,000 homes have been built using these innovative isolators, delivering cost savings to the industry of over £80 million resulting in economic, environmental and quality of life benefits.
Marine wood borers cause huge economic losses by damaging maritime structures. Research conducted by Cragg's team has driven the move from broad-spectrum, environmentally-hazardous wood protection methods towards environmentally-benign approaches tailored to target specific organisms. Their novel testing methods have accelerated evaluation of protection methods while reducing testing costs (impact 1). Their evaluations have been used to inform guidelines for selection of timbers for waterside construction issued by the UK Environment Agency (impact 2) and to market less well-known timber species (impact 3). Their information on invasive borers affects local and global decision making (impact 4).
The Building Performance Centre at Edinburgh Napier University led by Professor Sean Smith was the first to research `robust details' for sound insulation during 2001-2004. This resulted in a government consultation, new regulatory approach, higher quality of life for home occupants, multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange via a Design Handbook with 4,700 subscribers. Since 2008, over 300,000 robust detail homes have been built, noise complaints have fallen four-fold, site compliance rates have shifted from 35% to 99%, Smith leads a European 32-country robust design group and 16 patented products are manufactured in the UK.