Green Chestnut in Construction
The “Madeira en Valor II” agreement, developed between the Galician Forest Industry Agency (XERA) and the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), was created to promote the use of chestnut wood and its contribution to the decarbonization of the construction sector.
This agreement has as its main objective the valorization of native forest species, particularly chestnut, through the generation of technical knowledge and its transfer to the construction sector. In this context, the behavior of chestnut wood under green conditions is studied, considering its specific characteristics and its potential for structural use.
The Technical Guide: Green Chestnut in Construction is one of the main outcomes of this agreement and aims to provide technicians, specifiers, and professionals in the sector with practical and rigorous information on the use of green chestnut wood in structural applications.
The guide has been developed by the Structural Timber Engineering Platform (PEMADE) and is based on the results obtained from an experimental campaign carried out in the laboratory. This includes the study of timber sawing, the evolution of moisture content and cracking during drying, as well as the characterization of physical and mechanical properties through non-destructive testing, destructive testing, and long-term loading tests.
For the development of construction solutions, the guide also integrates results related to connection design and the assessment of timber–concrete composite systems, providing technical criteria applicable to the calculation, design, and execution of these types of elements.
The document therefore addresses both the fundamental aspects of green wood behavior and its practical application, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable use of Galician chestnut in construction.
Full reference
Xunta de Galicia, PEMADE. 2026. Technical Guide: Green Chestnut in Construction. Axencia Galega da Industria Forestal (XERA), in collaboration with the Plataforma de Enxeñaría da Madeira Estrutural (PEMADE) of the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).