Enhance mechanical properties of timber, engineered wood products and timber structures. Special Issue based upon work from COST Action FP1004, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)

This Introductory Paper sets the scene for this special edition of the EuropeanJournal for Wood and Wood Products, which contains papers selected to demonstrate and record aspects of the COST Action, achieved through networking and collaboration. The paper discusses the context of COST Action FP1004, showing how it seeks to benefit designers and builders of timber buildings as well as enhancing performance and thus delivering a benefit to society as a whole.