Articles

DETERMINATION OF FLEXURAL STRENGTH AND YOUNG’S MODULUS OF ELASTICITY OF ACTIVELY BENT WOOD

The article focuses on the experimental verification of wooden laths with a cross-section of 10 mm x 40 mm which were selected for active bending. The laths are made of pine wood and are 2 m in length. The research includes experimental measurements to determine the limit deformations achieved by bending the wood without chemical treatment, by applying compressive force to an originally straight beam, causing it to buckle and further deform. Ten bending tests of beams were performed, and from the same pieces, 21 tests were conducted using the four-point bending test to determine the flexural strength, and 30 tests to determine the global modulus of elasticity

FLEXURAL STRENGTHENING OF THERMALLY MODIFIED RUBBERWOOD GLULAM BEAMS WITH FRP UNDER STATIC AND CYCLIC LOADS

The purpose of this research is to investigate the flexural properties and cyclic response of strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) of glulam beam made from thermally modified rubberwood. The efficiency of three different FRP was assessed based on the bonding properties. The experimental results demonstrated that the glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) showed the strongest adhesion. Static and cyclic flexural tests were also carried out to study the behavior of glulam beams. The static test results indicated that double sides strengthened glulam beam enhanced their flexural strength. The strengthened glulam beams under static load demonstrated a reduced deformation rate due to increased modulus of rupture compared to non-strengthening glulam beam. The cyclic load test showed the strengthening effect on improving energy dissipation and ductility, while the impairment of strength did not affect

THE X-BAND MICROWAVE ABSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF POROUS ACTIVATED CARBON FROM NATURAL RESOURCES

Porous activated carbon (PAC) from bamboo, sisal, and coconut coir fibres with two carbonization steps were prepared and the microwave absorbing characteristics in the frequency range of 8 GHz to 12 GHz were investigated. The PAC based on bamboo, sisal and coconut coir had BET surface areas of 354.79, 141.91, and 25.70 m2/g, respectively. The return loss of -27.3, -25.6 and -16.4 dB was achieved for PAC from bamboo, sisal, and coconut fiber at 10.46, 11.08 and 11.00 GHz, respectively. The microwave absorption of more than 99% for porous activated carbon of bamboo and sisal, and more than 90% for porous activated carbon of coconut coir fiber, is indicated by these return loss values. It is shown by these results that biomass resources can be considered a promising lightweight, cost-effective, and eco-friendly microwave absorber material

FRACTURE MECHANISM ANALYSIS OF HIGH-DENSITY FIBREBOARD BASED ON DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION TECHNOLOGY

This paper analyses the scattering images of the bending deformation of high-density fibreboards based on the digital image correlation (DIC) technique, so as to study its mechanical deformation law. Three-point bending tests were carried out on fibreboards using a mechanical testing machine with a non-contact measuring system. The measured values of the displacements of the grid nodes in the region of interest (ROI) were combined with the Moving least squares (MLS) method to construct the strains of the high-density fibreboards at different loading forces, thus deriving the strain values of the fibreboards during the bending deformation process. To further analyze its force deformation mechanism, this paper used a portable electron microscope and scanning electron microscope to analyze the damage situation at the fracture damage, and at the same time, it verified that the constructed strain field model was accurate

A METHOD OF SIMULATING SEAT LOAD FOR NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF WOOD CHAIR STRUCTURE

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic values of the human-seat interface in a normal sitting posture, and to numerically mode the load on the chair seat for the structural design of chairs. The stress distributions and the characteristic values of seat were measured under normal sitting posture by using a human body pressure distribution measurement system considering the effects of gender and body mass index (BMI). The stress distribution on the seat was then numerically modeled using three modeling methods. The observed results and the numerical analysisresults were compared. The results showed that an inverted U-shaped pressure distribution was observed in normal sitting posture. The stress was concentrated on the ischial tuberosity with a maximum value of 0.066 MPa. The ratio of the load on the seat to the gravity of the human body weight was about 65.3%. The numerical model established using the body pressure mapping method was superior to those of the uniform load method and the standard loading pad method in terms of stress distribution, maximum stress, and contact area

EVALUATION OF PROPERTIES OF WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITES MADE FROM SEVEN TYPES OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC FIBERS

This article aims to investigate the characteristics of wood plastic composites (WPC) prepared from polyethylene (PE) reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers derived from the xylem and bark of Masson pine, fir, cypress, as well as from Moso bamboo. The surface polarity and elemental composition of fibers were determined through contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The lignocellulosic fiber/PE composites were manufactured through hot-pressing technique, and their water absorption, mechanical properties, and mildew resistance were evaluated. The results revealed that the surface free energy of xylem fibers was higher than that of bark fibers among the three conifer species. XPS analysis showed that the O/C ratio of bark was consistently lower than that of xylem fiber. Among the three conifers, the Masson pine bark had the lowest O/C ratio (22.25%), while its xylem fibers had the highest ratio of 41.64%. WPC made with bark fibers had better water resistance. Additionally, the composites reinforced with xylem fibers showed superior static bending strength, impact strength, and mildew-resistant properties as compared to the composites reinforced with bark fibers. WPC made from bamboo fibers exhibited the best water resistance, with a water absorption rate and thickness swelling rate of 1.83% and 1.42%, respectively. They also had the highest static bending strength, elastic modulus, and impact strength, at 41.31 MPa, 3.82 GPa, and 10.24 kJ/m2, respectively. The WPC made from fir xylem fibers showed the most effective mildew resistance, with the smallest damage (0.50)

THE EFFECT OF SUPPORT LAYER MATERIAL AND ADHESIVE TYPE ON COMPRESSIVE DYNAMIC BENDING AND SHEAR STRENGTH IN LAMINATED WOOD

In this study, strength properties of wood material reinforced with carbon fiber fabric, steel wire mesh and bamboo veneer were determined. Polyvinylacetate (PVAc) and polyurethane (PUR) glues (D4)were used for the lamellas obtained from Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and eastern beech (Fagus orientalis L.). Compressive strength according to TS EN 408+A1; dynamic bending (shock) strength according toTS ISO 13061-10 and shear strength according to ASTM D 3110 were determined on 3 and 5-layers samples. According to the results, the highest compressive strength (62.8 N/mm2) was found in 5-layerseastern beech samples reinforced with carbon fiber fabric and bonded with PUR glue. The highest dynamic bending strength value (110.8 kJ/m2) was found in 5-layerseastern beech samples reinforced with carbon fiber fabric and bonded with PUR glue and the highest shear strength value (12.3 N/mm2) in 3-layered eastern beech samples reinforced with steel wire mesh and bonded with PUR glue

CHANGES IN WOOD QUALITY OF BETULA ERMANII LOGS BY HEATING TREATMENT

Logs of Betula ermaniiCham. were heated at a temperature inside the logs of 80°C for different heating durations of 0, 20, 40, and 60 h using a laboratory oven. After heating treatment, several wood qualities were examined, including residual stresses, moisture content, wood color, and physical and mechanical properties. The effects of the heating treatment duration on wood quality were analyzed using linear mixed-effect modeling. The developed models revealed that heating treatment affected residual stresses and wood color but not mechanical properties. The obtained results also suggest that a heating treatment duration of 20 h is sufficient to reduce residual stresses in B. ermaniilogs without reducing the physical and mechanical properties of wood

STUDY OF STRESS WAVE PROPAGATION PATH AND DEPTH IDENTIFICATION IN CRACKED WOOD BASED ON ACOUSTIC EMISSION AND COMSOLSIMULATION

The propagation velocity models were built using AE sensors to capture stress wave on pine specimen surface.On the different specimens, cracks were made in different numbers and the depth was gradually increased from 0 mm to 90 mm at 10 mm intervals. AE experiment was combined with COMSOL to investigate propagation path.The results show that R-squared is 0.996 when fitting tangent of angle to propagation velocity.At smaller crack depths, stress wave is diffracted around crack tip and then continues to propagate in to sensor along a straight line.However, as the crack depth increases, the reflected wave at the end face will arrive at the detection location faster with significantly weaker diffraction.The area with dimensions of20×10 mm was identified about the crack tip by crack identification method

EXPERIMENTAL TESTS OF RED MERANTI (SHOREA SPP.) DOWEL BEARING STRENGTH AT AN ANGLE TO THE GRAIN

The angle to the grain has a significant influence on timber bearing strength. As the grain angle increases the bearing strength decreases. The aim of this research was to obtain the dowel bearing strength of the red meranti (Shorea spp.) timber at an angle to the grain. The scope of this research was as follows the specimens were made according to ASTM D143, the grain angle ranged from 0° to 12°, and the dowel bearing tests were displacement controlled in accordance with ASTM D5764. Results of this research was an empirical equation of dowel bearing strength (in MPa) in terms of an angle to grain θ (in degrees) namely Fe = 32.74 – 4.701θ + 0.2064θ2. The importance of studying the influence of the grain angle to the dowel bearing strength for timber connection design is because the direction of the timber grain is not perfectly 0°

INFRARED SPECTRUM CHANGE OF UV IRRADIATED AND NATURAL WOOD SAMPLES DURING 12 YEARS OF STORAGE IN TOTAL DARKNESS

The stability of the surface of UV-irradiated wood samples was investigated after 12 years of storage in total darkness at room temperature. The investigated specimens were earlywood and latewood of Scots pine sapwood, earlywood and latewood of spruce, earlywood of ash, beech and hybrid poplar. The thin (1 mm tick) samples contained only earlywood or latewood, and the tangential surfaces were used for infrared spectrum measurement. For comparison, the non-irradiated natural surface (back side) of the specimens was used for infrared spectrum measurement. Natural wood surfaces were stable during the storage. Only ether linkages in hemicelluloses showed minor degradation at 1175 cm-1 wavenumber. Lignin molecules remained stable during the 12-year storage period on both UV irradiated and non-irradiated side of the specimens. In contrast, UV irradiated samples suffered alterations during the 12 years of thermal treatment at low temperature (20-25°C). Hemicelluloses in photodegraded surface layers underwent thermal degradation and oxidation processes, generating new carbonyl groups. Extractives also presented absorption increase in the conjugated carbonyl region

A NUMERICAL MODEL FOR ANALYZING CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER UNDER OUT OF PLANE LOADING

This paper targets the validity of a novel numerical model for analyzing CLT under out of plane loading. This numerical model was initially developed for determining the shear lag effect that appears in laminated thin walled composite beams. A parametric study was conducted in order to determine the influence of orientation of layers in CLT panels on bending strength and deflection. For confirming the accuracy of the proposed model, the results from the numerical model are compared with the external results of the computer software Ansys. The differences in bending stress vary from 0.27% to 1.69% depending on the orientation of layers and for deflection the differences are ranged from 2.25% to 7.42%. A numerical study was conducted and obtained data corresponds to results obtained from experimental study. It was concluded that the proposed numerical method can enough precisely predict the behavior of CLT under out of plane loading

LIGNOCELLULOSIC LINERS BASED ON WOOD WOOL

Basic physical and mechanical properties of lignocellulosic liners up to 1.5 mm thick with a compact and non-crumbling surface based on wood wool and thermoplastic water based glues were determined. PVAc and starch glue with a high proportion of water content were used. The dry mat was pressed gradually under high pressure up to 28 MPa and a temperature of around 190°C with the release of steam. Tests according to the CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries) standards were adopted. Procedures for tensile strength according to ISO 1924-2 (2008), Burst strength according to ISO 2758 (2014), puncture according to ASTM D781-68 (1973), water absorption according to ISO 5637 (1989) and porosity according to TAPPI Test method T460 were applied

CHANGE IN SOME ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF WOODS USED IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AFTER CHEMICAL MODIFICATION WITH PROPIONIC ANHYDRIDE

The spruce (Picea orientalis), maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and mulberry (Morus alba) woods, which are among the wood types commonly used in making musical instruments, were subjected to chemical modification by propionic anhydride for 1 h, 3 h and 6 h reaction times. The changes in dimensional stability, sound velocities, modal frequencies and dynamic elasticity modulus values of wood samples after modification were investigated. According to the results obtained, as the weight gain values occurring depending on the reaction time increased, the dimensional stability increased in all wood types. When the acoustic properties were examined, it was determined that individual changes occurred at different values depending on the wood type and chemical modification times

LIQUID PERMEABILITY OF EUCALYPTUS UROPHYLLA WOOD TREATED WITH DIFFERENT DRYING METHODS

In this study, the influence of three different drying methods on the liquid permeability of sapwood and heartwood of Eucalyptus urophylla was investigated. The liquid permeability of the dried wood was assessed by measuring the maximum amount of dyeing solution uptake using the capillary rise method. Subsequently, the microscopic structure of the dried wood was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the liquid permeability of sapwood dried by microwave vacuum drying (MVD) and conventional kiln drying (KD) was significantly more effective than that of air drying (AD) treated wood. However, there is no significant difference in the effect of MVD and KD on the liquid permeability of sapwood. The liquid permeability of heartwood treated with MVD is significantly better than that treated with KD and AD, and the effect in the effects of AD and KD on the heartwood is not significant. The increased permeability of Eucalyptus urophylla wood can be attributed to the occurrence of macro-cracking or micro-structural damage in the test specimens, resulting from the dislodgement of perforated plates within the wood cells, the rupture of the intercellular layer between vessel and axial parenchyma cells, as well as the rupture of the pit membrane in cross-field pits due to microwave vacuum drying and conventional kiln drying

EVALUATION OF WOOD QUALITY OF PINUS MONTEZUMAE LAMB. IN A DISTURBED FOREST USING NON-DESTRUCTIVE ACOUSTIC METHODS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the modulus of elasticity and wood quality for structural use in standing trees of Pinus montezumae Lamb. in a natural forest. An acoustic method was used, measuring the ultrasonic flight time for one cross-sectional and two longitudinal sections in 70 trees. Significant differences were found between the two longitudinal moduli of elasticity, and the P. montezumae trees in the study area show potential for structural use according to the modulus of elasticity. It is concluded that for sustainable management, wood of medium quality would be obtained in the same proportion for the first two sections of the tree stems, while high-quality logs would be obtained in the second longitudinal section (2–4 m)

EVALUATION OF WOOD DAMAGE AND FRACTURE BEHAVIOR BASED ON ENERGY ENTROPY OF ACOUSTIC EMISSION SIGNALS

In order to assess the damage and fracture behavior of wood under continuous loading, an energy entropy and b-value associated with the acoustic emission (AE) signal were defined to quantitatively describe the release of strain energy during loading. Firstly, the acoustic emission signals of the wood in the three-point bending test were collected. This paper presents the concept of energy entropy according to the definition of information entropy. In order to further evaluate the strain energy intensity released by the damage behavior of the wood specimen, the acoustic emission b-value was defined. Finally, by jointly analysing the dynamics of these two parameters, the test process can be divided into three phases. The results show that even in the elastic phase, micro-destructive behavior occur inside the wood specimen; in the plastic phase, the wood specimen is not only subjected to macroscopic damage, but also often accompanied by fine cracks inside

EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL TREATMENTS ON BAMBOO CELL WALL STRUCTURE FROM ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVES

This study focuses on the effects of chemical treatment using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and physical treatment via steam explosion and microwave, with a comprehensive analysis using ATR-FTIR, X-ray diffraction, Keyence VR 6000 optical profilometer, and SEM. The aim is to elucidate alterations in bamboo cell walls following these treatments compared to untreated bamboo. The results reveal significant modifications in the chemical composition and crystalline structure of bamboo cell walls post-treatment. ATR-FTIR analysis indicates changes in functional groups, suggesting chemical interactions and modifications in the molecular arrangement of cell wall components. XRD analysis further corroborates these findings by revealing shifts in crystallinity and peak intensities, signifying structural rearrangements, as evidenced by optical images and SEM micrographs

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN NON-STRUCTURAL SUBSTANCES, ANNUAL RINGS WIDTH AND LATEWOOD SHARE IN PINUS SYLVESTRIS L. STEM

Extractives and ash contents, share of latewood and annual rings width were analyzed in wood at different heights and different zones of the Pinus sylvestris L. stem cross-section. Additionally, the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a conductometric detector was applied to determine the sulphate (SO42-) and hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) anions concentrations in wood and bark of Pinus sylvestris L. stem. In this paper, based on the results it was observed, that generally extractives content increased in the direction from sapwood perimeter to middle heartwood and pith adjacent heartwood zone. Moreover, the results showed that the greater share of latewood in annual rings the lower ash and extractives contents in the wood, but the higher sulphate (SO42-) and hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) anions concentration. The sulphate (SO42-) and hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) anions concentrations in the bark of the Pinus sylvestris L. stem were higher at the top than at the butt-end part

WOOD ANATOMY INDICES AND REVEGETATION POTENTIALS OF THREE TAXA OF THE EUPHORBIACEAE

The suitability of three plant taxa namely: Bridelia ferruginea, Hura crepitans and Ricinodendron heudelotii as potential revegetation plants in desertified areas were assessed using Calquist’s wood anatomy indices (vulnerability and mesomorphy) using an ecological survey design. Temporal and permanent slides of transverse sections were prepared and vessel length and diameter (µm) measured using a Motic B3 Compound Microscope and vessel density determined for each of the plant taxa. The observed high vulnerability and high mesomorphy index values in Hura crepitans and Ricinodendron heudelotii indicates that they did not fall within the required ranges of 0 – 2.5 and 0 – 99 for the two indices respectively and cannot adapt well in xeric areas. However, Bridelia ferruginea fell within the range. In conclusion, Hura crepitans and Ricinodendron heudelotii are mesophytes while Bridelia ferruginea was xerophytic and can flourish in xeric areas, therefore, it possesses a great revegetation potential