Wooden Floor Research Articles

Conservation of Waterlogged Wooden Structures from the Late Bronze Age at İnönü Cave (Türkiye)

ABSTRACT During the excavations carried out in the İnönü Cave, located within the Western Black Sea region of Türkiye, four separate floor structures made of wood, dating back to the Late Bronze Age (1436-1123 Cal BCE), were unearthed. The way the corners of the structures are connected shows that the structures were built with the çantı or bell technique, a traditional nail-less wooden architectural form of the Black Sea region. Thanks to the wet and stable environmental conditions within the cave, the wooden floors have survived and are well preserved from the Late Bronze Age to the present day. This study presents the details of the conservation practices developed and deployed in order to ensure that the wooden floors are well protected and remain available for study in the short and medium term.

Field and laboratory perspectives on fentanyl and carfentanil decontamination

Abuse of the highly toxic compound fentanyl and its analogues is increasing, raising serious public health concerns due to their potency and availability. Therefore, there is a need for decontamination methodologies to safely remove fentanyl to avoid harmful exposure. In this study, the efficacy of commercial and in-house synthesized decontamination agents (Dahlgren Decon, RSDL (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion), FAST-ACT (First applied sorbent treatment against chemical threats), GDS2000, alldecont MED, bleach, Domestos Spray Bleach, Effekt Klor, MgO, TiO2-nanodiamond, and CeO2) were evaluated for the degradation of fentanyl and carfentanil under controlled laboratory conditions and on wooden floor surfaces. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis showed that oxidative decontamination agents were the most effective, with N-oxides identified as major degradation products. The physiological effects of these N-oxides were also investigated regarding their ability to activate the µ-opioid receptor and their metabolism in human liver microsomes. The results provide empirical evidence that complements prior research findings on the degradation of fentanyl and carfentanil using a variety of decontamination agents.

Study on Innovative Laminated Flooring with Resin-Impregnated Paper

A new type of laminated flooring decorated by resin impregnated paper (LWFWRIP) was designed, with the advantages of low formaldehyde emission, improved flame retardant, and high wear resistance. The structure of this new type of wood flooring is based on the ordinary laminated flooring, followed by a decorative layer of thin wood pieces, and then the transparent improved flame retardant, wear-resistant paper is added to the top. It is found that the hot-pressing temperature is the most significant factor affecting the adhesion of resin impregnated paper. The optimal hot-pressing parameters are selected as the hot-pressing pressure of 3.5 MPa, hot-pressing temperature of 180 °C, and hot-pressing time of 40 s. The new laminated flooring was improved with high flame retardant, high wear-resistant, combined with the conventional advantages of both solid wood composite flooring and reinforced wood flooring. The new laminated flooring decorated by resin impregnated paper has broad application prospects.

Manufacture and study the mechanical, thermal and physical properties of plastic wood

Abstract This study focuses on evaluating the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of unsaturated polyester (UPE) composites reinforced with Pistacia shells (Pi-S). Wood-plastic composites were prepared using UPE reinforced with Pi-S at different weight ratios (50%, 60%, 70%). The main objective of this work is to recycle Pistacia shells in significant proportions and assess the impact of using Pi-S as reinforcing materials in UPE. Mechanical tests, such as Shore D hardness, impact resistance, and compressive strength, were employed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composites. The results showed that the 50% weight ratio achieved the highest values in all tests compared to other ratios (60%, 70%). Impact resistance increased to 10.15 Kj/m2 at the 50% weight ratio, followed by the 60% weight ratio with the highest impact resistance. The results also indicated a slight decrease in Shore D hardness with an increase in the weight ratio and a decrease in compressive strength. Regarding thermal conductivity, the highest thermal conductivity value was at the 50% weight ratio, with a value of 0.68118762 W/mk. It then decreased at the other weight ratios but remained higher than the thermal conductivity of pure unsaturated polyester. This technique allows for the full utilization of Pistacia shells in the wood-plastic industry, contributing to various applications such as wooden and plastic flooring, surfaces, doors, and more.

Artificial neural network-based sound insulation optimization design of composite floor of high-speed train

Increasing the speed of high-speed trains requires the lightweight design of vehicles to meet the economic and ecological efficiency requirements of such trains. However, these objectives conflict with the interior noise control in high-speed trains because the sound insulation of panel structures follows the mass law principle. The train floor, the main train body structure of the high-speed train, is vital for interior noise control because its sound insulation performance directly affects the interior noise levels. Owing to the complexity of the composite floor system, reliable measurement and accurate estimation of its sound insulation performance are often time-consuming and laborious. To address this situation, this study proposes an artificial neural network (ANN)-based model to predict the sound insulation characteristics of a composite floor. First, a sound insulation model of the composite floor is built based on statistical energy analysis (SEA). The sound insulation performance of 200 cases of composite floors is calculated by varying the dimensions of the extruded floor, thickness of the webs, sound-absorbing material, and wooden floor to formulate a sound insulation database of composite floors. Next, an ANN model is introduced and trained on the sound insulation database. The sound insulation prediction results obtained using the ANN model are compared to the prediction results obtained using the experiment to validate its effectiveness. Subsequently, the NSGA-II optimization method is used to optimize the sound insulation structure of the composite floor. Compared with the regular composite floor structure, the optimized structure reduced the mass of the composite floor by 10.93 kg and increased the weight of the sound insulation ( Rw) by 6.3 dB. The proposed method can be an effective, economical, and efficient tool for vehicle designers and can help promote the sound insulation optimization design of high-speed train composite floors.

Integrated wood surface densification and Al2O3/melamine impregnated paper coating process: Properties evaluation

Fast-growing wood is limited in its use due to its low density and poor strength. Strengthening its texture and enhancing its performance is crucial for maximizing the economic value of fast-growing wood. This study employed a one-step process of unilateral surface densification and coating, which involved compressing the surface of poplar wood and simultaneously applying Al2O3/melamine impregnated paper to achieve paint-free reinforcement modification. After modification, a cross-linking network structure was established at the interface of poplar wood and Al2O3/melamine impregnated paper with bonding strength satisfied superior product requirements for solid wood flooring as per GB/T 15036.1–2018. The natural texture and original aesthetic characteristics of poplar wood were preserved, the surface scratch resistance hardness was as high as 9 H, and the color and luster of the surface showed no obvious changes after being polluted by coffee and 25 % NaOH solution. Additionally, the functionalized wood also exhibited excellent mechanical properties with a modulus of rupture (MOR) of 112.6 MPa and a modulus of elasticity (MOE) reaching 9.33 GPa; the indentation diameter was only 7.5 mm, indicating excellent impact resistance, surpassing that of hardwood commonly used for wood flooring.

Predicting the elastic properties of Norway spruce by its morphology

Models for the elastic material properties of wood aim to predict the mechanical response of wooden structures to external loading. Traditionally, the variability of these properties in trees is described by a taxonomy of growth defects that is typically based on visual indicators in the material. This includes curvature, knots, and spiral grain models. Existing meso- and macro-scale models fail to describe the uncertainty connected to the local heterogeneity of the material. In this paper, we propose a novel meso-scale model that describes the natural variability of Norway spruce morphology and material properties based on random field theory. Our approach removes the need for a taxonomy of growth defects and enables uncertainty quantification of the stiffness and density in a straightforward fashion using simulations. This may enhance confidence for stiffness-graded applications, where the dynamic resonant behavior of wood structures is relevant and growth anomalies are present. Further, our stochastic models can generate images that realistically mimic wood patterns, which is relevant for applications like synthetic wood panels and flooring.

Investigation of the Temperature Distribution and Energy Consumption of an Integrated Carbon Fiber Paper-Embedded Electric-Heated Floor

This study examined spatial and temporal thermal performance and energy consumption. The temperature distribution in the running period was monitored in test rooms with integrated electric- and hot water-heated floors. The short- and long-term energy consumption of the two heating systems were recorded and compared. The results indicated that the integrated electric heating system generated higher temperatures for indoor air and on the exterior surface of the wooden floor than the hot water heating system; meanwhile, the difference in the mean temperatures of the exterior and rear surfaces of the electric-heated floor was 2.44 °C, while that of the hot water-heated test room was 13.25 °C. The efficient structure of the integrated electric heating system saved 22.97% energy compared to the hot water system after short-term (7 h) charging and reaching a dynamic balance, and it efficiently increased the energy utilization rate to 11.81%. After long-term charging, the daily energy consumption of the integrated electric heating system consumed much less energy than the hot water system every month. The integrated electric heating system saved 62.55% and 34.30% of energy in May and January, respectively, and consumed less than half of the energy the hot water system consumed in the less cold months. Therefore, a high-efficiency and energy-saving integrated electric-heated floor could be a potential indoor heating solution.

Effectiveness of Mangifera Indica, Carica Papaya, and Citrus Limon Peels as Bio-Floor Wax for Classroom Use in the Philippines

The Philippines has a tradition of using floor wax to enhance the shine and durability of floors. However, commercial floor wax often contains harmful chemical substances that pose significant health risks. The study evaluated the potential of Mangifera indica, Carica papaya, and Citrus limon as bio-floor wax. Using a quantitative research approach, the research examined the odor, shininess, friction, and water resistance properties of these fruit peels. An antimicrobial sensitivity test was also conducted, and the mango extract had the highest average inhibition zone, while the combined extract had the lowest. The results showed that lemon peels have the highest friction on ceramic tiles, while papaya peels performed best on wood flooring. Mango peels showed the highest shininess on scarlet oak surfaces. The water resistance test showed no significant differences across different tiles. The results showed that the fruit peels could be a viable option for bio-floor wax in Philippine classrooms. Further research is recommended to develop formulations suitable for broader applications and to validate the product’s performance under different environmental conditions.

About the operation of wooden floors of residential buildings

About the operation of wooden floors of residential buildings

Superelastic wood‐based nanogenerators magnifying the piezoelectric effect for sustainable energy conversion

AbstractIn the quest for sustainable energy materials, wood is discovered to be a potential piezoelectric material. However, the rigidity, poor stability, and low piezoelectric properties of wood impede its development. Here, we obtained a superelastic roasted wood nanogenerator (RW‐NG) by unraveling ray tissues through a sustainable roasting strategy. The increased compressibility of roasted wood intensifies the deformation of cellulose microfibrils, significantly enhancing the piezoelectric effect in wood. Roasted wood (15 × 15 × 15 mm3, longitudinal × radial × tangential) can generate a voltage and current outputs of 1.4 V and 14.5 nA, respectively, which are more than 70 times that of natural wood. The wood sample can recover 90% of its shape after 5000 compressions at 65% strain, exhibiting excellent elasticity and stability. Importantly, roasted wood does not add any toxic substances and can be safely applied on the human skin as a self‐powered sensor for detecting body movements. Moreover, it can also be assembled into self‐powered wooden floors for energy harvesting. These indicate that roasted wood has great potential for sustainable sensing and energy conversion.

The Effects of Wooden Furniture Color, Floor Material, and Age on Design Evaluation, Visual Attention, and Emotions in Office Environments

The selection of floors and furniture in offices can impact the interior environment and potentially influence employees’ emotions and health. This study aims to investigate the effects of floor material, furniture color, and age on design evaluation, fixation duration, and time to first fixation. Twenty-four younger adults (M = 21.9, SD = 1.75) and twenty-four older adults (M = 48.1, SD = 6.85) participated in the experiment, where they viewed four different designs: wood floor—brown furniture (WF-BF), wood floor—dark furniture (WF-DF), tile floor—brown furniture (TF-BF), and tile floor—dark furniture (TF-DF). Participants also evaluated the designs and their emotions. Results showed the main effects and interactions of floor material, furniture color, and age. WF-BF performed the best in design evaluation, fixation duration, and time to first fixation, and also scored highest in joy, admiration, fascination, and desire. Older adults favored the texture of wood, while younger adults showed better acceptance of TF-DF. This study provides insights for interior design in office environments.

Factors impacting human exposure to legacy and emerging contaminants in residential dust in Beijing, China: Characteristics of indoor microenvironment

Exposure to indoor dust is of concern since dust may be contaminated by various toxic chemicals and people spend considerable time indoors. Factors impacting human exposure risks to contaminants in indoor dust may differ from those affecting the loadings of contaminants, but the dominant factors have not yet been well clarified. In this study, the occurrence, human exposure, and related influencing factors of several classes of legacy and emerging contaminants in residential dust across Beijing were investigated, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and three types of flame retardants (FRs), i.e., organophosphate esters (OPEs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and novel halogenated FRs (NHFRs). OPEs (median: 3847 ng/g) were the most abundant group, followed by PBDEs (1046 ng/g) and NHFRs (520 ng/g). PFASs (14.3 ng/g) were one to two orders of magnitude lower than FRs. The estimated daily intakes of these contaminants were relatively higher for toddlers than other age groups, with oral ingestion being the main exposure pathway compared with dermal contact. Higher human exposure risks were found in new buildings or newly finished homes due to the elevated intake of emerging contaminants (such as OPEs). Furthermore, higher risks were also found in homes with wooden floors, which were mainly associated with higher levels of PFASs, chloroalkyl and alkyl OPEs, compared with tile floors. Citizens in the urban area also showed higher exposure risks than those in the suburban area. The quantity of household appliances and finishing styles (simple or luxurious) showed an insignificant impact on overall human exposure risks despite their significant effect on the levels of some of the dust contaminants. Results in this study are of importance in understanding human exposure to the co-existence of multiple contaminants in indoor dust.

Study on the effect of residential interior decoration on children’s respiratory diseases: A field trial conducted in Chongqing, China

Pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene series compounds and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) released by residential interior decoration activities (including household renovation and new furniture) pose a severe threat to children’s respiratory health. To study the effect of indoor decoration on children’s respiratory diseases and provide suggestions to prevent it, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey amongst 6547 preschoolers from 34 kindergartens in Chongqing, China, and selected 39 houses to measure their indoor air pollutants concentrations. The results showed that household decoration, during pregnancy and early childhood, would increase the risk of children’s rhinitis, asthma and pneumonia. Vacancy time after the completion of decoration, furniture pieces and decoration materials significantly affected the concentration of formaldehyde, xylene and TVOC, which could pose a potential risk to children’s respiratory health. The concentration of xylene and TVOC and the incidence of children’s asthma and pneumonia were both negatively correlated with the vacancy time. Decoration materials such as composite and ceramic tile/stone/cement flooring and water-based/latex/oil-based paints emit more gaseous pollutants than solid wood flooring and wallpaper, respectively, which were more likely to increase the risk of children’s respiratory diseases. Adequate ventilation and air purification can reduce the impact of home decoration.

Ubiquitous Gait Analysis through Footstep-Induced Floor Vibrations.

Quantitative analysis of human gait is critical for the early discovery, progressive tracking, and rehabilitation of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and cerebral palsy. Gait analysis typically involves estimating gait characteristics, such as spatiotemporal gait parameters and gait health indicators (e.g., step time, length, symmetry, and balance). Traditional methods of gait analysis involve the use of cameras, wearables, and force plates but are limited in operational requirements when applied in daily life, such as direct line-of-sight, carrying devices, and dense deployment. This paper introduces a novel approach for gait analysis by passively sensing floor vibrations generated by human footsteps using vibration sensors mounted on the floor surface. Our approach is low-cost, non-intrusive, and perceived as privacy-friendly, making it suitable for continuous gait health monitoring in daily life. Our algorithm estimates various gait parameters that are used as standard metrics in medical practices, including temporal parameters (step time, stride time, stance time, swing time, double-support time, and single-support time), spatial parameters (step length, width, angle, and stride length), and extracts gait health indicators (cadence/walking speed, left-right symmetry, gait balance, and initial contact types). The main challenge we addressed in this paper is the effect of different floor types on the resultant vibrations. We develop floor-adaptive algorithms to extract features that are generalizable to various practical settings, including homes, hospitals, and eldercare facilities. We evaluate our approach through real-world walking experiments with 20 adults with 12,231 labeled gait cycles across concrete and wooden floors. Our results show 90.5% (RMSE 0.08s), 71.3% (RMSE 0.38m), and 92.3% (RMSPE 7.7%) accuracy in estimating temporal, spatial parameters, and gait health indicators, respectively.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE BEGINNINGS OF ROMAN LIFE AT ROMULA

The beginnings of Roman life in Romula are difficult to identify. The traces of habitation are ephemeral, probably, many of them were destroyed by the refurbishing of the following periods. Since the first war between Dacians and Romans, in 101-102, a marching camp was built in Reşca (Dobrosloveni commune, Olt County). In terms of archaeological structures, the elements of the fortification in the central area, the two fossae, the berm and the two enclosure walls stand out. To this is added a building in the central-northern area of the Central Fortification, which had a wooden plank floor. In the Northern Sector, a Roman cultural layer appeared, with building materials (spikes) and other objects that can be dated with coins issued in the early 2nd century AD.

Sensitivity of human-induced vibrations and comfort analysis to partially rigid STS joints in timber-to-timber composite floors

The study of floors vibration serviceability represents a well-known challenging task and has a critical role in comfort analysis, assessment and optimization of pedestrian systems in general. To this aim, several consolidated and/or simplified tools are available in the literature to address the most important aspects. In practice, however, most of assumptions for the analysis and verification are based on the use of rough mechanical models of joints and connections, which have indeed a primary role especially for composite floors. In this paper, the attention is given to timber-to-timber floors with inclined self-tapping screws (STS). A parametric Finite-Element (FE) numerical investigation is carried out by taking into account conventional walking features and a case-study timber-to-timber composite beam, well representative of a one-way wooden floor. A major advantage for structural and pedestrian modelling stages is taken from previous literature efforts, while large attention is spent for structural analysis and vibration serviceability assessment tasks, as a function of the STS mechanical parameters (first of all the secant stiffness). Comparative linear modal and non-linear time history analyses are carried out and addressed towards limit mechanical configurations for STS joints, in terms of vibration frequency considerations, as well as structural response and comfort assessment, based on classical performance indicators. The parametric numerical results are further discussed based on simplified methods provided by selected design standards. A critical analysis of major effects due to partial joint rigidity and floor performance classification is presented, both in terms of expected structural safety and comfort levels for similar systems.

Assessing environmental burdens of China's wooden flooring production based on life-cycle assessment

After over 30 years of rapid development in the wooden flooring industry in China, there is an imperative need to address the resulting environmental impacts. Therefore, this study analyzed the environmental impacts of the four most common types of wooden flooring in China, such as solid wood flooring, multi-layer engineered wood flooring, three-layer engineered wood flooring, and laminated flooring, utilizing the life-cycle assessment approach. This study assessed 12 environmental indicators, the comprehensive index of energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER), and the eco-efficiency of the four wooden flooring types. A trade-off was observed among the various impact categories, making it challenging to rank the environmental performance of the four types of wooden flooring. Contribution analysis revealed that woody raw materials and electricity consumption in the production process were the primary environmental hotspots of wooden flooring. The ECER index indicated that the multi-layer engineered wood flooring exhibited the highest environmental impacts, followed by laminated flooring, three-layer engineered wood flooring, and solid wood flooring. The eco-efficiency of solid wood flooring was 237%, 767%, and 1454% higher than that of three-layer engineered wood flooring, multi-layer engineered wood flooring, and laminated flooring, respectively. Sensitivity analysis revealed that enhancing the environmental performance of wooden flooring lies in reducing power consumption and woody raw material consumption during the production process. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts associated with wooden flooring manufacturing, while also serving as a reference for further improvements in reducing their environmental impacts.

Enhancing wood functionality: A novel approach with Al2O3 impregnated paper on densified wood surface

To improve the surface properties of low-density wood, poplar wood was functionalized by laminating Al2O3 impregnated paper onto poplar wood (Populus tomentosa Carr.) via unilateral surface compression. Bonding strength between Al2O3 impregnated paper and wood reached up to 3.08 MPa, meeting commercial grade I requirements for impregnated paper laminated wood flooring. A cross-linked structure between Al2O3 impregnated paper and wood was formed without visible cracks or other defects. Density of the functionalized wood surface increased remarkably and the surface hardness was significantly improved, surpassing that of hardwoods for wood flooring. The functionalized wood surface also exhibited high wear resistance, which reached to the specification for commercial grade I impregnated paper laminated wood flooring. Additionally, the water resistance of the functionalized wood surface was significantly improved through lamination with Al2O3 impregnated paper. The functionalized wood demonstrated high applicability for wood flooring.

Effect of unilateral surface-densification process on wood-surface coating properties

ABSTRACT Unilaterally surface-densified wood (USD), suitable for applications in solid wood flooring and furniture, can significantly increase wood value when coated with paint. We prepared USD by compacting the individual surface of the wood under different preheating and compression times, and subsequently applied waterborne acrylic paint on its surface to investigate the impact of various unilateral surface densification processes on wood coating properties. Results demonstrated that unpreheated wood exhibited superior paint film adhesion, hardness, and impact resistance. The interfacial bonding strength decreased with increased compression time when not preheated. A comprehensive analysis revealed that wood unilaterally surface-densified without preheating and compression time of 60 s exhibited optimal coating properties, with tight paint film bonding, minimal weight loss of paint film (0.1387 g), adhesion and hardness grades of 0 and 5H, interfacial bonding strength of 2.26 MPa, and an indentation diameter of only 8.3 mm. This study offers valuable insights into the surface coating properties of unilaterally surface-densified wood.