In the thesis, the influence of natural aerobic aging on the structure and static-mechanical properties of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) structural timber was studied. Several objects were dendrochronologically dated to an age of up to 272 years. Samples were determined chemometrically by FT-IR spectroscopy for the relative proportion of hemicelluloses, the relative proportion of lignin, and the degree of crystallinity of cellulose. Static 4-point bending tests on small clear specimens (10 mm × 7 mm × 170 mm, R × T × L) were performed in both dry (20°C/20%) and humid climates (20°C/88%). It was found that the old structural wood had a lower relative content of hemicelluloses than the recent wood while the lignin content remained the same. A higher degree of crystallinity of cellulose was also observed in some samples of old structural wood. The aging process did not affect the flexural strength and stiffness of the structural timber but the variability of the mechanical properties increased. The specific modulus of elasticity of old structural timber was found to be more dependent on the change in wood moisture content (2.26%/%) than that of recent timber (< 2.0%/%).
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