Assessment of “Uso Fiume” Larch Beams Production in the Sawmilling Industry of Aosta Valley Region – Northwestern Italy

“Uso Fiume” (UF) beams are a traditional peculiarity of the Italian wooden carpentry. They are produced by parallel sawing of the log on four faces, which results in wanes on their whole length, while their cross section is constant from end to end. Structural timber is subjected to the dispositions of the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and since January 2012 it can be placed on the market only if CE marked; structural timber with irregular section, such as UF beams, shall be graded on the basis of a specific procedure named European Technical Assessment (ETA). In particular, UF beams made of larch (Larix decidua Mill.) wood can be CE marked according to ETA –11/0219. This is a relevant factor for the enterprises of some Italian Regions, such as Aosta Valley, where larch is widespread and commonly used for producing structural assortments. In this context the present work aims to assess the characteristics of UF larch beams production in the above geographical site. To this purpose a survey was addressed at regional sawmills producing these assortments. The inquiry was also designed in order to investigate different aspects such as enterprises dimensions, origin of round wood and production methods. The survey gave a picture of this production reality and can provide useful considerations for similar cases in other Italian or European Regions.