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Durability tests of wood materials related to constructions in Björnlandet National Park The aim of the present study, primarily initiated by the Swedish Environmental Agency, is to study the durability of different wood materials related to and used in constructions in Björnlandet National Park in northern Sweden (63°97´N, 18°05´E), completed during 2014 and 2015. Of particular interest is to determine the durability properties in a scientific way of local materials used, such as mountain-grown Norway spruce and locally grown Scots pine and larch. The effect on the performance of charring and superficial wood-tar treatment is also studied. The study consists of a laboratory test according to ENV 807, a field trial according to EN 252 and a service trial on-site in the national park, including constructions such as load-bearing piles, ramps, foot-bridges and platforms. Results from the tests according to ENV 807 and EN 252 as well as the initial inspection of the constructions and components of different materials are presented in this report. During the initial inspection of the constructions on site, then in use for 1-2 years, no decay was found besides a small initial attack on one single pile of larch. The accelerated tests in laboratory and field have provided interesting information on the durability properties of the different materials and the ranking between them from a durability point of view which can be concluded as follows: • The local materials show moderate durability with marginal differences between the materials, with the exception of the spruce materials which show lower durability, comparable to the durability of pine sapwood. • Heartwood of locally grown pine and larch show basically equal durability properties. • Slow-grown wood will not enhance the durability properties. • Superficial treatment with wood-tar contributes so far to a somewhat increased durability. However, the primary positive effect is most certainly owing to the smell and app

Largely unexplored, a free service trial may be defined as an offer to the consumer to experience, at no monetary cost, all or part of a core, augmented or facilitating service from a provider that the consumer does not currently use. Free service trials are worth studying for two reasons. First they are one of the important examples of inequitable exchange between supplier and purchaser – one that is likely to lead to a sense of obligation among those who adopt the trial offer. Second, they are a very common promotional device. This paper proposes that free service trials are more problematic than tangible product trials. The value of what is offered may be limited by time, the scope of trial, or because only a partial, facilitating or augmented service is offered. Judgments about the perceived value of the complete service in its paid form will also contribute to the evaluation of the trial offer. In deciding whether they accept the trial, the paper proposes that consumers make attributions about the motives of the service trial provider and the consumer’s consequent obligations if they accept it. Obligations are likely to be felt more acutely where the trial is interpersonal (e.g. a facial massage) rather than impersonal (e.g. anti-virus service). Such evaluations are also likely to be affected by past experience with the service category, consumer skepticism and personal norms of reciprocity. A program of research is proposed which would systematically examine the consumers’ evaluations of free trial offers.