WOOD RESEARCH Volume 61, Number 5, 2016
Josef Cafourek, Milan Gaff, Miroslav Gašparík, Martin Slávik, and Jan Macků

Properties and use of biomass from reclaimed land in the North Bohemian Basin

Spoil heaps are negative urban landscape features resulting from intense human activities to acquire mineral resources. One very positive method for reclaiming spoil heaps is afforestation. This paper analyzes the quality of Black locust wood acquired from the reclaimed area of Varvažov, North Bohemian Basin, Czech Republic. The following characteristics were used as indicators of the quality of wood obtained from the given area: chip dimensions; ash content; bulk density; bark content; contents of C, H, N, and O; and contents of S, P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, and Mn. Black locust biomass is suitable for energy purpose, although it contains an increased proportion of inorganic elements. The other properties, such content of C, H, N, and O, ash content as well as heating value, are in compliance with the standardized values. The Black locust chips can be categorized as Coarse-grained energetic wood chips with minimal dust particle content according to particle-size distribution analysis.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 61, Number 3, 2016
Vassilios Vassiliou, Ioannis Barboutis, and Vasiliki Kamperidou

Strength of corner and middle joints of upholstered furniture frames constructed with black locust and beech wood

Great interest is attracted lately in the utilization of Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) timber large quantities that are expected to be harvested and enter the market next years, since this species was included in the proposed and financed species for cultivation by the European Union. This study was carried out to evaluate the strength of the two most frequent joints in the upholstered furniture frames, constructed with black locust, using also beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) for comparative reason. In the specific research, the joints of mortise and tenon and double dowel were selected to be used and were constructed both in corner and middle joints, using two adhesives (PVAc and PUR). Bending moment capacity of the joint specimens was investigated, as well as the coefficient of elasticity of each joint.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 62, Number 2, 2017
Marcin Klisz, Szymon Jastrzębowski, Tomasz Wojda, Joanna Ukalska, and Andrzej Noskowiak

Variability of Black locust hardness in relation to different measurement direction and location along the stem

The variability of black locust wood hardiness along the stem determines potential uses for this type of material. Characterization of this parameter was conducted based on samples taken from black locust stands in the western of Poland. Study material drawn from each sample tree was divided into three groups (lower stem part, center of the stem and base of live crown) and measuring was performed in three directions (radial, longitudinal and tangential). Due to bimodal distribution of the data, longitudinal direction was analyzed separately from radial and tangential directions. For the longitudinal direction, significance of differences between various stem parts was confirmed (p<0.001), as well as the significance of differences between study sites (p<0.001). For the radial and tangential directions, significance of differences between sites, stem parts and trees was confirmed (p<0.001; p=0.001; p=0.005, respectively). Preferred wood material should come from lower stem part, taking into account the highest hardiness in the longitudinal direction.