1. Investigating the synergistic impact of freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salts on the properties of cementitious composites incorporating natural fibers and fly ashIldikó Merta, Vesna Zalar Serjun, Alenka Mauko Pranjić, Aljoša Šajna, Mateja Štefančič, Bojan Poletanovic, Farshad Ameri, Ana Mladenović, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In cold climates, concrete structures confront durability challenges due to harsh conditions. This study evaluates the effects of incorporating natural fibers, such as hemp and flax fibers (at 1 vol%), and partially replacing cement with fly ash (at 25 and 50 wt%) on the properties of cementitious composites subjected to accelerated aging under freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salts. Findings reveal that natural fibers enhance the freeze-thaw resistance, reducing deterioration (scaling) to 5-8% after 56 cycles. When mortars were subjected to accelerated freeze-thaw cycles, the compressive strength of plain mortar significantly decreased (up to 57%). However, adding natural fibers to the matrix substantially reduced its compressive strength loss. In the case of flexural strength, plain mortars experienced 33% loss, while hemp, flax, and polypropylene fiber mortars showed only 13%, 23%, and 10% losses, respectively. Furthermore, mortars experience a notable enhancement in their energy absorption capacity when reinforced with natural fibers, particularly with hemp fibers (up to 348% higher than plain mortar). Under harsh conditions, hemp and flax-reinforced mortars, with 25wt% fly ash replacement, lose the compressive strength significantly however still demonstrate an alternative to synthetic fibers in terms of flexural strength. Even with 25wt% of fly ash, mortars with natural fiber reinforcement display significantly superior energy absorption capacities compared to plain mortars (up to 48%).
Keywords: cementitious composites, natural fibers, freeze-thaw cycles, mechanical properties, mass loss, fly ash
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2024; Views: 139; Downloads: 48
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2. 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: 1547; Downloads: 1178
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3. 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: 2239; Downloads: 1563
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