The study analyzes the causes of premature failure in wooden power line poles in Slovenia, where multiple cases of rapid fungal decay have occurred despite a projected service life of 30 to 50 years. The poles were made from Scots pine and impregnated with a copper-ethanolamine biocidal product. The objective of the research was to assess the condition of standing poles and investigate the primary causes of premature degradation, using two fallen poles as case studies. The methods employed included resistograph measurements to determine the extent of wood decay across cross-sections, core sampling to determine preservative penetration and retention, and microscopic and hyperspectral analyses of wood samples to precisely characterize the decay. The results revealed that wood impregnation was generally insufficient, leading to extensive decay, particularly in areas with insufficient biocidal retention or where the entire sapwood of the pine poles was not fully impregnated. The accelerated degradation of the poles was attributed to brown rot fungi. The study underscores the need for improved impregnation techniques and regular monitoring to ensure the longevity of the poles and the reliability of the electricity supply.
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