21. Sustainable biocarbon/tung oil coatings with hydrophobic and UV-shielding properties for outdoor wood substratesLaetitia Sarah Jennifer Marrot, Mariem Zouari, Matthew Schwarzkopf, David Brian DeVallance, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: With wood regaining substantial interest as a construction material due to sustainability concerns and aesthetics trends, efficient and safe protection methods are needed to prevent the discouloration and the loss of mechanical properties of this renewable and UV-sensitive material. In this study, sustainable coatings comprising 0 to 20 wt % biocarbon (BC) dispersed in tung oil were developed for wood protection. BC particles were added as ultraviolet (UV) absorbers and were produced by various carbonization routes. The BC powders were characterized in terms of particle size and surface functional groups by Fourier-Transform infrared, and the UV and visible absorbance of dispersed BC powders in water solutions were related to these characteristics.
Two wooden substrates (beech and oak) were coated with the developed coatings and the samples underwent six months of onsite weathering. While the total colour change of uncoated samples and tung oil-coated substrates without BC kept increasing over time and resulted in a clear alteration of the wood surface aesthetics, an increased BC content in the coatings led to enhanced colour stability, with alteration of the colour close to 2 for both wood species after six months of weathering for 10 and 20 wt% BC.
Coating with tung oil made the wooden substrates, initially hydrophilic, become hydrophobic, and the further introduction of biocarbon increased hydrophobicity. However, the increase in BC content was not correlated with an increase in water repellence, the highest water contact angle being observed for 5 % BC, and no further improvement in hydrophobicity was observed with higher BC content. The weathering negatively affected the water repellence of all the samples (i.e., reference samples and coated samples with various BC content). However, the introduction of 20 % BC best protected the decrease in water repellence induced by the onsite weathering. Keywords: biocarbon, biochar, coating, wood protection, hydrophobic coating, wettability Published in DiRROS: 30.05.2023; Views: 522; Downloads: 548
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22. Composite beams made of waste wood-particle boards, fastened to solid timber frame by dowel-type fastenersMeta Kržan, Tomaž Pazlar, Boštjan Ber, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: To increase the sustainability of prefabricated timber buildings and constructions, composite timber beams with “box” cross-sections were developed in collaboration with an industry partner. They were constructed from a solid timber frame and from webs made of residual waste wood- particle boards from prefabricated timber buildings production. The developed beams’ design concepts presented in this paper were governed by architectural features of prefabricated timber buildings, geometrical limitations, available production technology, and structural demand related to various possible applications. The paper presents the results of experimental bending tests of six variations of the developed composite timber beams constructed by mechanical fasteners only. The developed design concept of composite timber beams without adhesives is beneficial compared to glued beams in terms of design for deconstruction and lower VOC emissions. The tests were conducted to study the influence of the following parameters on the beams’ mechanical behavior: (i) web material (oriented strand boards (OSBs) vs. cement-particle boards); (ii) the influence of beam timber frame design (flanges and web stiffeners vs. flanges, web stiffeners, and compressive diagonals), and (iii) the influence of stiffener–flange joint design. Besides the beams’ load-bearing capacities, their linear and non-linear stiffness characteristics were the main research interest. While adding compressive timber diagonals did not prove to significantly increase the stiffness of the beams in the case of cement-particle board webs, it increased their load-bearing capacity by enabling the failure of flanges instead of prior webs and stiffener–flange joints failure. For beams with OSB webs, failure of the bottom flange was achieved already with the “basic” timber frame design, but timber diagonals proved beneficial to increase the stiffness characteristics. Finally, mechanical characteristics of the developed beams needed in structural design for their application are provided together with further development guidelines. Keywords: composite timber beam, box beam, OSB, cement-particle boards, innovative engineered wood product, experimental tests, flexural performance, mechanical fasteners, open access Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 450; Downloads: 259
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23. Analysis of the response of a roadway bridge under extreme flooding-related events: Scour and debris-loadingMirko Kosič, Luke J. Prendergast, Andrej Anžlin, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Hydraulic actions on bridges are a leading cause of failure, especially due to the occurrence of scour erosion. Due to climate change, flooding and scour risks are exacerbating for bridges worldwide, leading to a significant stress burden on asset management agencies. Assessing structures for scour has received significant attention in recent years, however, there are few studies which investigate the influence of scour on the components of a bridge to understand how various elements interact. Moreover, the presence of debris loading, which can occur due to flooding causing debris to become lodged at structures, has not received significant attention. Debris can worsen scour conditions and increase hydraulic loading on a bridge. In this paper, an analysis of the response of various components of a roadway bridge when exposed to extreme flooding is conducted. The influence of scour and debris on hydraulic loading, internal forces, modal periods, and utilization ratios of various bridge components is ascertained. A numerical model is developed using OpenSees employing two different methods to model the soil-structure interaction. Results for several flooding scenarios show how the various bridge elements are influenced by variations in water height and velocity, scour depth, and presence of debris. Keywords: local scour, wood debris, flooding, resilience, soil-structure interaction, bridges, open access Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 521; Downloads: 425
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24. Different wood anatomical and growth responses in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) at three forest sites in SloveniaDomen Arnič, Jožica Gričar, Jernej Jevšenak, Gregor Božič, Georg von Arx, Peter Prislan, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) adapts to local growing conditions to enhance its performance. In response to variations in climatic conditions, beech trees adjust leaf phenology, cambial phenology, and wood formation patterns, which result in different treering widths (TRWs) and wood anatomy. Chronologies of tree ring width and vessel features [i.e., mean vessel area (MVA), vessel density (VD), and relative conductive area (RCTA)] were produced for the 1960%2016 period for three sites that differ in climatic regimes and spring leaf phenology (two early- and one late-flushing populations). These data were used to investigate long-term relationships between climatic conditions and anatomical features of four quarters of tree-rings at annual and intra-annual scales. In addition, we investigated how TRW and vessel features adjust in response to extreme weather events (i.e., summer drought). We found significant differences in TRW, VD, and RCTA among the selected sites. Precipitation and maximum temperature before and during the growing season were the most important climatic factors affecting TRW and vessel characteristics. We confirmed differences in climate-growth relationships between the selected sites, late flushing beech population at Idrija showing the least pronounced response to climate. MVA was the only vessel trait that showed no relationship with TRW or other vessel features. The relationship between MVA and climatic factors evaluated at intra-annual scale indicated that vessel area in the first quarter of tree-ring were mainly influenced by climatic conditions in the previous growing season, while vessel area in the second to fourth quarters of tree ring width was mainly influenced by maximum temperature and precipitation in the current growing season. When comparing wet and dry years, beech from all sites showed a similar response, with reduced TRW and changes in intra-annual variation in vessel area. Our findings suggest that changes in temperature and precipitation regimes as predicted by most climate change scenarios will affect tree-ring increments and wood structure in beech, yet the response between sites or populations may differ. Keywords: Fagus sylvatica, wood anatomy, tracheograms, dendrochronology, intra specific plasticity Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2022; Views: 741; Downloads: 492
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25. Relationships between wood-anatomical features and resistance drilling density in Norway spruce and European beechDomen Arnič, Luka Krajnc, Jožica Gričar, Peter Prislan, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Environmental conditions affect tree-ring width (TRW), wood structure, and, consequently, wood density, which is one of the main wood quality indicators. Although studies on inter- and intra-annual variability in tree-ring features or density exist, studies demonstrating a clear link between wood structure on a cellular level and its effect on wood density on a macroscopic level are rare. Norway spruce with its simple coniferous structure and European beech, a diffuse-porous angiosperm species were selected to analyze these relationships. Increment cores were collected from both species at four sites in Slovenia. In total, 24 European beech and 17 Norway spruce trees were sampled. In addition, resistance drilling measurements were performed just a few centimeters above the increment core sampling. TRW and quantitative wood anatomy measurements were performed on the collected cores. Resistance drilling density values, tree-ring (TRW, earlywood width–EWW, transition-TWW, and latewood width–LWW) and wood-anatomical features (vessel/tracheid area and diameter, cell density, relative conductive area, and cell wall thickness) were then averaged for the first 7 cm of measurements. We observed significant relationships between tree-ring and wood-anatomical features in both spruce and beech. In spruce, the highest correlation values were found between TRW and LWW. In beech, the highest correlations were observed between TRW and cell density. There were no significant relationships between wood-anatomical features and resistance drilling density in beech. However, in spruce, a significant negative correlation was found between resistance drilling density and tangential tracheid diameter, and a positive correlation between resistance drilling density and both TWW + LWW and LWW. Our findings suggest that resistance drilling measurements can be used to evaluate differences in density within and between species, but they should be improved in resolution to be able to detect changes in wood anatomy. Keywords: wood structure, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, quantitative wood anatomy, xylem anatomy, wood density, increment borer Published in DiRROS: 08.04.2022; Views: 805; Downloads: 556
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26. Assessment of the condition of Balsam poplar trees (Populus balsamifera L.) in a residental area of BratskElena Runova, Vasilij Verkhoturov, Lyudmila Anoshkina, Ivan Garus, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, we investigated the health status of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) trees in a residential area of the city of Bratsk (Irkutsk Oblast, Russia). Visual and instrumental assessment of the health status of pruned and unpruned trees was performed. The identified internal defects in the tree were analyzed with a Resistograph device, which enabled the extent of decayed wood to be determined. Visual analysis revealed various types of damage: dried branches, brittle crowns, frost cracks, mechanical damage, curvature of trunks, decay and inclusions of foreign bodies. We compared trees with and without canopy pruning. We found that pruned trees were significantly more damaged than non-pruned trees. Decomposing wood at different stages of development was found in all the trees studied. A tree passport combining the visual and instrumental assessment data was compiled for each tree. The results of the research were used to formulate conclusions and recommendations for improving the management of urban trees in order to restore their ecological and aesthetic functions. Keywords: Populus balsamifera L., visual analysis, Resistograph, urban area, wood, decay Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2021; Views: 3413; Downloads: 2016
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27. Drought stress can induce the pathogenicity of Cryptostroma corticale, the causal agent of sooty bark disease of sycamore mapleNikica Ogris, Ana Brglez, Barbara Piškur, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Reports of sooty bark disease of maples caused by the fungus Cryptostroma corticale have recently been emerging from across Europe. The aims of our study were to describe the first report of sooty bark disease in Slovenia, to determine the pathogenicity of C. corticale, to confirm the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungus, and to determine the mass loss of Acer pseudoplatanus wood inoculated by C. corticale. We confirmed the presence of C. corticale on A. pseudoplatanus via morphological and molecular analysis. The optimal growth of C. corticale was measured in vitro on potato dextrose agar and was determined to occur at 25 °C. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 30 saplings of A. pseudoplatanus under two treatments, humid and drought stress, and the fungus was pathogenic in both treatments. The mean length of bark lesions and wood discoloration of the drought-stressed saplings was significantly greater than that in the humid treatment. Re-isolations of C. corticale were successful from all inoculated saplings, and thus Koch%s postulates were confirmed. The mass loss of A. pseudoplatanus wood was determined by mini-block test in a period of 10 weeks and was observed as minimal. Based on the results, we conclude that C. corticale is a weak and opportunistic pathogen that most likely expresses itself intensively under hot and dry conditions. Keywords: pathogenicity, drought stress, optimal growth, climate change, mass loss, mini-block test, wood rot, opportunistic pathogen, saprophyte, endophyte Published in DiRROS: 23.03.2021; Views: 1313; Downloads: 988
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28. Hands-on guidelines for private woodlot owners in Slovenia, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden and Spain2021, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: Net4Forest, Erasmus+, quality classes, wood defects, quality wood, forest fires, roundwood sales Published in DiRROS: 22.03.2021; Views: 1010; Downloads: 570
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29. The effect of bedrock and species mixture on wood density and radial wood increment in pubescent oak and black pineLuka Krajnc, Polona Hafner, Jožica Gričar, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Wood density and radial wood increment were examined in trees of pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) and black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold., subsp. nigra) in relation to stand mixture and underlying bedrock. Trees of both species from pure and mixed stands were sampled across two types of bedrock, limestone and flysch. Trees from each species were similar in age. Wood density was estimated in standing trees using resistance drilling and increment cores were taken from a smaller subsample of trees of both species. Tree-ring, earlywood and latewood widths were measured and compared to radial profiles of wood density. The influence of stand mixture, diameter at breast height and bedrock on wood density was examined using a Bayesian general linear model. Wood density was significantly higher in pubescent oak than in black pine. Stand mixture was found to affect wood density positively, although the magnitude of the effect was relatively small when compared to other influencing factors also included in the current study. The effect of diameter on wood density was positive on both bedrocks in pubescent oak and negative or neutral in black pine. The size of the effect varied by bedrock and species. On flysch bedrock, the influence of diameter on wood density was stronger than it was on limestone. These indirect bedrock effects on wood density are probably a result of different soil fertility rather than the bedrock itself. There was a notable difference in radial wood increment in both species across the two bedrocks, whereas the differences in densities were smaller. Higher wood densities found on flysch in the subsample of pubescent oaks are likely an effect of higher proportions of latewood, while the opposite trend was observed in black pine. Higher wood density was found on limestone in black pine despite higher latewood percentages on flysch. In the context of forest management, the species composition of the naturally occurring mixtures in the sub-Mediterranean region should be adjusted slightly to favor pubescent oak, since it is a climax species and will bind more carbon for longer than black pine due to higher wood densities. Future forest management should also promote the overall development of pubescent oak trees in sub-Mediterranean stands. The results are especially important in the European context, because the share of sub-Mediterranean stands is expected to rise with global warming. Keywords: Karst, wood structure, resistograph, resistance drilling, Quercus pubescens, Pinus nigra, limestone, flysch Published in DiRROS: 14.01.2021; Views: 1276; Downloads: 504
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30. The effect of Eutypella parasitica on the wood decay of three maple speciesAna Brglez, Barbara Piškur, Miha Humar, Jožica Gričar, Nikica Ogris, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Eutypella parasitica R.W. Davidson & R.C. Lorenz is the causative agent of Eutypella canker of maple, a destructive disease of maples in Europe and North America. The fungus E. parasitica is known to cause wood stain and decay. However, it is not known how effectively it decomposes the wood of the most widespread maple species in Europe. Wood samples of Acer pseudoplatanus L., A. platanoides L., and A. campestre L. were exposed to four isolates of E. parasitica and nine other fungal species for comparison, according to the modified EN 113 standard. After 15 weeks of incubation, mass loss and microscopical analysis of samples showed evidence of colonization and different wood decay potentials among fungal species. A highly significant positive correlation was found between mass loss and moisture content for all fungal species. Similarly, the measured cell wall thickness correlated well with the calculated mass loss of the samples. On average, the fungal species caused the lowest mass loss in A. pseudoplatanus (10.0%) and the highest in A. campestre (12.6%) samples. Among the samples exposed to E. parasitica isolates, the highest mass loss was recorded in A. pseudoplatanus (6.6%). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in mass loss and moisture content between different E. parasitica isolates. Based on the results of staining, we discuss the type of decay caused by E. parasitica. Although E. parasitica isolates caused smaller mass loss of samples compared to other more effective decay species, we should not disregard its capability of degrading maple wood. Because E. parasitica usually infects the lower portion of the trunk, which is the largest and most valuable part of the tree, any damage can cause significant economic and resource loss. Keywords: wood decay, mass loss, moisture content, mini-block test, decay test, Acer spp., Eutypella parasitica, fungi, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy Published in DiRROS: 13.07.2020; Views: 2009; Downloads: 1385
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