Green design of strip-planked Iroko wood for boatbuilding

Increasing attention for green design is promoting the need of innovation both in processes and in products used in boatbuilding. Wood is undoubtedly the most ancient and natural material used for boatbuilding and it is particularly suitable within the strip-planking technique. However, the use of conventional epoxy resins in wooden boats reduces the eco-friendly capability of the entire construction. A valuable solution to this problem may be represented by resins derived by natural and renewable resources, commonly addressed as bio-based resins. In the present research activity, two bio-based resins used as adhesives in the strip-planking technique based on Iroko wood were investigated. Experimental tests for the mechanical characterization according to the UNI EN 302-1 standard were performed. The mechanical properties of the two bio-based adhesives were compared to the mechanical properties of a conventional epoxy adhesive providing similar results. Furthermore, a new methodology to evaluate the shear modulus and strength was applied. The systematic analysis carried out gave interesting results on the possibility of coupling Iroko wood and bio-based adhesives within the strip-planking technology, in order to enhance the eco-friendly capability of wooden boats.