Wood Construction Research Articles

The Creation of “Sacred Place” through the “Sense of Place” of the Daci’en Wooden Buddhist Temple, Xi’an, China

After the Industrial Revolution, new technologies and architectural forms gradually replaced China’s wooden construction system, which had lasted for thousands of years. The architectural narrative also turned a new page. As pieces of architectural and cultural heritage and as the residence of “gods”, wooden Buddhist temples carry the indelible imprints of history and religion and have become a healing place or spiritual home for people living in urban areas. In order to preserve the local cultural context and explore the creation of a spiritual “sacred place”, this study traces the spiritual and cultural value of Xi’an’s wooden Buddhist temple through ethnographic qualitative methods of text analysis, observation and interviews. The case study examines the metaphorical symbolism of the architecture’s “sense of place” and religion in terms of architectural structure and components, and the advantages of creating a “sacred place” are examined based on the characteristics of wooden materials. The results show that the design elements of wooden Buddhist temples connect cultural identity and collective memory, which are inseparable from religion, and because of the material properties of wood, they sublimate the sacred atmosphere of religion. Moreover, identifying the “sense of place” and the atmosphere of sacred spaces through the structure, components, and material characteristics of wooden temple architecture offers a new perspective that focuses on architectural emotions and creates a new topic of “sacred places”. Such temples have the potential to enhance human spiritual health and well-being.

Project-based business models in the construction industry – key success factors for sustainable timber extension projects

Building construction has significant negative impacts on the environment. However, various measures can mitigate these impacts, including using wood as a building material and improving the building and construction process. The need to renovate and extend existing buildings increases with urbanization and a growing population. Wood is an attractive option for adding new floors to existing structures because of its superior strength-to-weight ratio, allowing for the potential to “build on top” of existing buildings. In order to achieve higher levels of sustainability in wood extension building projects, this study aimed to highlight the benefits of adopting a project-based business model approach by studying the technical, economic, social, and environmental attributes associated with timber building extension projects. Unlike the common firm-level business model approach, a project-based business model allows for a comprehensive view of the value creation, delivery, proposition, and capture of all the key actors involved in a construction project. The study results emphasize the success factors of an extension building project and conclude with critical factors related to the business model’s resources, activities, and actors, which would enhance the outcomes of a wood extension project. Such factors relate to knowledge and experience derived from wood construction, and to a holistic perspective on planning, and involvement of all relevant actors from the design phase to project completion.

Exploring the socio-economic impacts of community based rehabilitated watersheds: an experience from Wera district, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT In developing countries, research evidence on the socio-economic impact is a crucial issue in motivating and encouraging community-based restoration of degraded watershed ecosystems. This paper focuses on exploring the socio-economic impacts of rehabilitating a watershed area in two villages (kebeles) using two independently pooled cross-sectional data sets. 240 households were selected at random to provide the data. Half of the households (120) were randomly chosen from the records of the rural land and agricultural development office in 2007 and the other half (120) were randomly selected and interviewed in 2022 using semi-structured questionnaires. Our results show that the contribution of the restored area to the economy of the local communities dramatically increased between 2007 and 2022. The main economic activities encountered in the restored area are fuelwood collection, the harvesting of construction wood, collecting grasses, and harvesting fodder, which are practiced by 75%, 68%, 59% and 41% of sampled households in 2022, respectively, while the same activities were practiced by 5%, 0%, 0%, and 2.5% households in 2007, respectively. Rehabilitation intervention also created job opportunities, and strengthened social networking among local households. These findings can help government and non-government stakeholders those implement ecosystem restoration by enhancing community-based rehabilitation of watersheds.

Prediction of withdrawal resistance of self-tapping screws in softwood structural lumber

The withdrawal resistance of self-tapping screws (STS) in Korean structural softwood in the vertical fiber direction was examined. Four representative softwood species were selected based on their specific gravity. Three STS fastener diameters were used for an STS penetration depth of 50 mm. The withdrawal capacity tended to increase with the specific gravity of the specimens and as the diameter of the STS increased. Primarily, the difference in strength was maximized as the STS diameter increased from 8 to 10 mm. Predictive experimental equations were proposed based on the experimental values of the relationship between the specific gravity of the structural material and the withdrawal resistance according to the diameter of the STS. The values were compared with the predicted values calculated using fastener and screw prediction equations proposed by the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) and European Standards (EN). The results calculated using the NDS prediction equations yielded a peak difference of 43% compared with the experimental withdrawal capacity, whereas the EN prediction equations yielded a difference of 0.7 to 1.14 times the experimental values. The ratios between the withdrawal capacity predicted by the proposed prediction equations and the experimental withdrawal capacity were the most similar, ranging from 0.80 to 1.15.

Attractiveness of wood-frame multi-storey buildings in seven European countries: consumer segmentation and the effect of fire safety information

Wooden construction has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation, and it is being promoted by the EU and national governments. However, several market barriers to wood-frame multi-storey building (WMSB), have been recognized, including obstacles in national building codes, lack of expertise in wood construction, and material durability concerns among end-users as well as other technical aspects. Given that increased wood construction is a target, understanding consumer perceptions of WMSB is crucial. In this study, consumer attitudes on WMSB were studied through consumer segmentation relying on demographic attributes. Further, the effect of providing fire safety information was explored. To this end, an online survey was deployed in seven European countries, with 7007 responses. The results show that in general, the awareness and attractiveness of WMSB is low amongst European consumers. Out of all respondents, 46% had not heard of WMSB before and only 12% stated that they are interested in the subject and know something about it, showing a clear lack of information and awareness within the general public. Significant differences in the perceived attractiveness of wooden multi-storey construction between consumer segments exist, with younger consumers and urban consumers being more attracted to living in WMSB than older or rural consumers. Fire safety was an important attribute affecting overall attractiveness, yet updated information regarding fire safety and control in WMSBs had a small but statistically significant negative effect on the perceived attractiveness. The results indicate that targeted marketing efforts are needed to inform potential consumers of WMSB and aspects related to fire safety effectively.

The role of board interlocks in increasing the use of wood in Norwegian construction

This paper studies the existence of board interlocks between wood-based firms in the Norwegian construction supply chain and firms in other industries, and their role in enabling increased use of wood in construction. Wood-based construction remains a niche market globally. The literature highlights two main barriers to wood-based construction: 1) lack of expertise with the material, and 2) lack of coordination and collaboration across the supply chain. As a form of interfirm governance structure, board interlocks may promote innovation in construction, such as applying new materials, products and processes, by fostering strategic collaborations. Drawing on resource dependence theory (RDT) and the theory of dynamic capabilities, we explore this through analysis of registry data, interviews and case studies. It was found that the majority of wood-based firms have board interlocks and that a majority of the firms they are interlocked with belong to industries within the construction supply chain. It was also found that the role of these board interlocks is primarily to secure access to immaterial resources, such as knowledge, expertise and skills, which enables the wood-based firms to engage in processes (sensing, seizing, and reconfiguration) that are important for their dynamic capabilities and therefore closely related to their ability to innovate.

History and Prospects of Development of Low-Rise Wooden Buildings in Cities of the North of Russia

Low-rise timber buildings are an important part of Arctic cities. This is due to a number of factors: the traditions of using wood in construction, accessibility and simplicity, mastery of the technology of processing wood as a building material, the ability to quickly construct buildings from ready-made elements, high thermal qualities of wood. The modern emergency low-rise wooden building fund has discredited itself, which has led to an increase in the construction of capital multi- apartment buildings using technologies from cities in central Russia. Currently, economics, ecology, and the development of modern technologies dictate the need to revive low-rise wooden residential buildings at a new qualitative level, including the development of a new typology of residential buildings that meet the diverse modern requirements of the population of Arctic cities.

Transforming Wood into a High-Performance Engineering Material via Cellulose Nanocrystal Impregnation

Abstract The demand for wood in construction has led to shortages of strong wood types, causing a shift to costlier alternatives like concrete and nonbiodegradable materials, prompting the investigation of modifying softwoods for better engineering properties. This study investigates the optimization of a multistep impregnation process utilizing functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (f-CNCs) to enhance softwood properties. The process involves alkali delignification, ultrasonication, and vacuum pressure treatment to improve wood porosity and in turn improve CNC impregnation with uniform dispersion. Microstructural analyses through field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) offer detailed insights into cell wall morphology and surface topography, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy highlights compositional shifts resulting from f-CNC impregnation. Mechanical testing demonstrates significant improvements for treated woods, particularly a 67 percent increase in modulus of elasticity for the 2 percent CNC-treated group compared with the control group; a 71 percent increase in modulus of rupture was observed for 2 percent CNC-, 3 percent NaOH-, and 2 percent acetic acid-treated group compared with the control sample. The sample delignified with 3 percent NaOH and impregnated by 2 percent f-CNC emerged as particularly effective. This research sets the stage for potential advancements in strengthening softwood using CNC, including a novel AFM method and alternative impregnation techniques like the Lowry method, inviting further exploration.

Increasing the energy efficiency of wooden house construction

Individual housing construction in the Krasnoyarsk Territory is actively developing. Rising housing prices in multi-storey buildings, increasing building density, and socio-demographic factors are increasing the popularity of individual construction. Technologies for such construction imply the widespread use of available local building materials, in particular wood. During the study, the designs of private houses in the settlement - the regional center of the Krasnoyarsk Territory - were analyzed. It was found that 90% of the sample examined were houses built from timber. Using simulation modeling methods, the actual thermal resistance of the enclosing structure made of timber with a cross-section of 0.15×0.15 m was determined. The calculated value was compared with the standard resistance indicator of the enclosing structure, taking into account energy saving standards. The Elcut solid modeling system was used in the work. The required heat flow power to maintain stationary heat transfer conditions was determined. It has been established that the design enclosing structure does not provide the required thermal resistance taking into account energy saving standards. It is necessary to consider a multilayer enclosing structure and increase the design resistance by insulating the outer surface of the wall with heat-insulating materials.

Leśniczówka Kaczew (Szwedówka) – dawny dwór myśliwski Radziwiłłów oraz rys historyczny leśnictwa dóbr nieborowskich

This monographic study focuses on the history of the construction and functioning of ‘Szwedówka,’ a wooden hunting lodge in the Radziwiłł estate in the Nieborów Forests. The building, erected through the efforts of Fr. Michał Piotr Radziwiłł , was initially utilized by the Warsaw industrialist and avid hunter Aleksander Szwede but later underwent various changes. Originally serving as a representative hunting lodge near the forester’s lodge of the Nieborów Estate, it later became a post-war forester’s lodge after a fire incident. The last forester of the Radziwiłł family, Stanisław Hruszka, resided there until the mid-1970s when it became the headquarters of Kaczew Forestry. Subsequently, the family of the final forester, Włodzimierz Bogaciński, lived there. The study places the creation and functioning of the facility within the broader context of the history of forestry in the Nieborów Estate. The narrative presents extensive biographies of individuals associated with the Estate. Aleksander Szwede emerges as a crucial figure in the development of Polish food and metal industries. He is also known for his role as a social activist and patriot. A significant aspect of the study comprises the technical and conservation description of the building. Preceded by a formal and stylistic analysis, this section narrows down the period of its construction to approximately 1900–1902. This is essential due to the lack of sources enabling the determination of authorship of the design and the date of construction. The manor’s design incorporates elements reminiscent of both regional and Zakopane solutions, making it an object of considerable historical and aesthetic value. In 2020, the Łódź Conservator, recognizing its significance, included ‘Szwedówka’ in the register of monuments of the Skierniewice district. Despite this, this unique monument of wooden construction, currently managed by the Skierniewice Forest District, is in poor technical condition. The most important conservation postulate of this study is the need to quickly secure the facility and place it under conservation protection by entering it in the register of monuments. This lays the groundwork for the actual conservation efforts aimed at preserving the monument in situ or, as a secondary consideration, its relocation to the Łowicz Ethnographic Park in Maurzyce.

Mechanical, morphological and water intake behavior of Mg-Si integrated carbon hybrid composite for marine deckhouse

The automated boat’s deckhouse is made of deforested wood and glass fiber, harming producers, fishermen, and marine life. In context, researchers are attempting to make composites from waste and replace synthetic materials with natural composites. In the present work, a Carbon/Mg/Si/polyester hybrid composite is developed as a potential replacement for wood in marine deckhouse construction. Impact, tensile, flexural, Rockwell and Brinell hardness were tested using ASTM standards, as well as weight absorption in fresh and seawater. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microanalysis (EDAX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy techniques were used to identify microstructure, elements, and functional groups. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are used to determine the thermal stability and heat intake/rejection of the hybrid composite. Novel hybrid composites with Mg-Si fillers improve the mechanical strength, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and deckhouse life span in marine environments.

Impact of Work-Based Learning Models in Industry on Student Learning in the Application of Twood Construction

The learning that occurs in class must be relevant to industry needs, because graduates must have competencies that suit the needs of the world of work and industry. So, efforts are needed to implement a learning model that is in sync with the world of work in industry, one of which is the work-based learning (WBL) model. It was found that there were still gaps in the one-way work-based learning (WBL) model there was no concept model that integrated Merdeka Belajar (MBKM - Merdeka Campus). To overcome these problems, research has been carried out by applying the MBKM model, with the concept of workplace learning (WBL) and in accordance with independent campus government policies and the industrial concept. This research uses a quasi-experimental method. The research sample consisted of students from the wood construction application program who were divided into two groups, namely the Control Group with 13 samples and the Treatment Group with 13 samples, so that the total sample was 26 consisting of students and lecturers from the Faculty of Engineering. The research instrument to measure the implementation of the MBKM-based WBL model in the control group uses the Project Based Learning (PJBL) model using cognitive ability tests and skills tests, as well as observation sheets to measure students' work attitudes. The findings show that when compared with the PJBL model, the learning outcomes of students who use the MBKM WBL model which is relevant to industrial concepts, skills, and attitudes, are much higher.

Assessment of Use Values and Propagation Methods of Native Fodder and Fruit Species in Merhabete District, Ethiopia

Native fodder and fruit species provide various products and services to local communities besides their fruit (food) and fodder supply in our country including in the study area. Although, there is rich traditional knowledge on propagation methods of native fodder and fruit species and their local use, but little recognition has been given by forestry research and extension efforts to enhance them. The general objective of the study was to investigate the use value and propagation methods of native fodder and fruit species in the Merhabete district, Ethiopia. A total of 127 households were randomly selected and interviewed about local use and propagation methods of native fodder and fruit species. The study indicated that the majority of native fodder and fruit species were used for firewood (23.9%) followed by charcoal (10.9%), timber, and construction wood (10.6%), fencing (9.3%), soil fertility improvement (9.1%), farm tool (7.1%), and medicine (3.3%). Native fodder and fruit species (42.7%) were propagated through wilding (natural regeneration) and the remainder were propagated through seedlings (7.2%), seed (6.06%), and stem cutting (4.8%). Overgrazing (46.5%) followed by overexploitation (22%), climate change/drought (20.5%), and disease and pest (11%) were the major regeneration constraints to native fodder and fruit trees/shrubs species in the study area. Therefore, proper involvement either through research or development works are essential to reduce the propagation constraint of studied species. Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. followed by Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev., Cordia africana Lam., Ximenia americana L., and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. were the most preferred species for planting by farmers in the study area. Domestication should focus on the preferred top five species to promote species conservation and sustainable use.

Manual Material Handling Training for Workers in The Furniture Industry

The work processes in the furniture industry starts from wood transportation, construction, sanding, assembling, and finishing. One of the potential hazards that always exist in every work process in the furniture industry is ergonomic hazards. The risks of Manual Material Handling (MMH) that includes lifting and lowering, pushing and pulling, rotating, carrying, and holding against an object adversely affect both the company and workers. This study aims to determine potential ergonomic hazards and control efforts to reduce risk of ergonomic hazards and injuries to furniture industry workers by providing training Occupational Safety and Health and proposed work system during Manual Material Handling activities. The method used to identify is the Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Control (HIRAC) technique. HIRAC used to help provide an understanding of the hazards that exist in each work process to minimize the occurrence of adverse Occupational Diseases. This research is qualitative research with observation and interview data collection techniques. Analysis techniques in this research included data reduction, data presentation, conclusions, and verification. Results of the evaluation showed that the identification of ergonomic hazards in the furniture industry was found in all furniture work processes from wood cutting to finishing.

Implementasi Metode Peramalan (Forecasting) Pada Penjualan Kuas di PT ABC

PT ABC is a company engaged in the distribution of various kinds of building materials, wood construction materials, chemicals, office machines, glass, porcelain, cement, household equip-ment and supplies, and dairy products. The aim of this research is to meet fluctuating product demand. In this article, there are four forecasting methods used based on historical data graphic patterns, namely Naïve, Simple Moving Average, Weighted Moving Average, and Exponential Smoothing. Then, the best forecasting method with the smallest error rate was determined for the X Brush product at PT ABC. From the research results, it is known that the forecasting graph has a trend pattern due to an increase or decrease in data in the long term. The appropriate method for forecasting is using the Exponential Smoothing method with α = 0.1 with a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) value of 132.48, Mean Square Error (MSE) of 21981, and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 61.73%%..

Influence of Properties of Building Materials in Wooden Sandwich Constructions on Overall Fire Resistance

By choosing suitable individual building materials for a sandwich structure, we can ensure an increase in the fire resistance of the entire structure. The influence of the properties of individual building materials on the overall fire resistance in sandwich constructions has not been well researched. It is for this reason that we focus our contribution on the influence of the properties of building materials in wooden sandwich structures on overall fire resistance. In the wooden sandwich constructions we created, we worked with reference constructions composed of thermal insulation with different surface treatments and with constructions that have the same thermal insulation, but we added 40 mm thick mineral wool to them. Subsequently, we tested the structures according to the EN 1365-1 standard [4]. After processing the obtained results, we came to conclusions about the effect of mineral wool and its combination with suitable thermal insulation on overall fire resistance.

Design Study of a Temporary, Emergencial and Sustentable Shelder in Light Wood Framing and Bamboo

Objective: This article aims to present an architectural proposal for a temporary emergency shelter of a sustainable nature using Wood Frame and bamboo, which allows for easy transport, assembly and disassembly in the event of major tragedies and serves as a shelter for the needy population. Method: This work was developed in two stages: initially data was collected on issues relating to environmental tragedies and their solutions as well as the emergency needs of the victims. In the second stage, a program of these refugees' needs was drawn up, the project was developed and the volumetric model was presented. Theoretical framework: Currently, the socioeconomic conditions in Bolivia, the political instability in Venezuela and the natural disasters in Haiti cause the number of refugees to increase in Brazil. Bolivian immigration to the country has a more continuous flow compared to that from countries like Venezuela and Bolivia. Furthermore, with the increase in natural disasters present in the national territory, it is necessary to promove solutions to aliviate the needs of this population in a state of vulnerability. Results and conclusion: the results presented in this work make up the research project for the development of new materials, products and constructive elements for wooden construction. Implications of the research: along with this discussion, it is expected to expand of the understanding of the concepts and design processes in emergency housing, possible renewable materials application, ease of production and execution to fit vulnerable communities in Brazil. Originality/value: This study explores an important gap in empirical studies carried out in the context of emergency shelter projects for vulnerable communities.

Assessing construction and demolition wood-derived biochar for in-situ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) removal from landfill leachate

With regulations for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impending, the abundance of these chemicals of emerging concern in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate increasingly challenges landfill operators to seek on-site leachate pre-treatment options. This two-staged study explores the potential reuse of biochar derived from construction and demolition debris (CDD) wood as an in-situ PFAS sorbent for application within MSW landfill leachate collection systems. Batch leaching tests were first used to examine the feasibility of capturing PFAS from landfill leachate using two sources of CDD-wood-derived biochar. Then, columns were used to test the in-situ sorption capabilities of the same biochars under simulated landfill conditions. All leachates were characterized for pH, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia-nitrogen, and 92 PFAS. Seventeen PFAS were detected in the batch leaching experiment, and nine PFAS were detected in column leachates. In the batch leaching scenario, Biochar 1 achieved a maximum of 29% PFAS reduction compared to controls. Columns containing Biochar 1 generated leachates with PFAS concentrations 50% to 80% higher than those in control columns for the duration of the experiment. Columns containing Biochar 2 generated leachates with PFAS concentrations 44% less than controls in week 1 and similar concentrations in weeks 2, 3, and 4. In this study, PFAS removal from landfill leachate using biochar derived from CDD wood was not significant. Further research on biochar derived from CDD wood is needed before it can be recommended as an in-situ landfill leachate pre-treatment method.

The Analysis of Impact on Fire Resistance of Mortise-tenon Joint in Different Connection Mode

In order to analysis of impact on fire resistance of mortise-tenon joint in different connection mode, four types of mortise-tenon Joints models are made by Pinus yunnanensis. And the combustion phenomena and carbonization of mortise-tenon joint are studied. Results of experiment show that the sequence of fire resistance in descending order is: Mantou mortise-tenon Joint, dovetail Joint, Ban mortise-tenon joint, Shizigutou mortise-tenon joint. The results can provide the theoretical base for fire protection of classical wood construction.

Научное обоснование использования древесины осины в деревянных клееных конструкциях

One of the promising materials for construction are wooden glued structures. According to the current regulatory documents, for the production of such structures coniferous wood is usually used, the reserves of which in industrially developed areas have significantly decreased over the last decades. At the same time, in a number of regions of Russia there is a significant raw material reserve of aspen wood, which has been successfully used in the construction of buildings and structures for many centuries. Its physical and mechanical characteristics differ from pine wood from 3.2 to 18.6 %. Therefore, it can be considered as an alternative source of raw materials for wooden house construction enterprises. To assess the degree influence of the combination of coniferous and aspen wood on the strength of the glue joint, as one of the main indicators of the quality of wooden glued structures, a set of theoretical and experimental studies was carried out. Maximum tangential and normal stresses of glue joint in pine and aspen blanks, which are significantly higher than those of solid wood, were determined by calculation. The values of shear strength in glued pine and aspen lamellas (4.46–8.06 MPa), obtained during the experiments at the 1st stage of research, were close to the strength of solid wood. At the 2nd stage the method of dispersion analysis was used, the results confirmed the assumption that when gluing lamellas up to 20 mm thick, the difference in the strength of the glue joint of structures made of pine and structures made of pine and aspen is insignificant. The obtained data serve as a basis for further work on diversification of raw material resources in the production of wooden glued structures due to the involvement of low-demand aspen wood in processing. For citation: Titunin A.A., Gevorgyan M.S., Fedotov A.A., Vakhnina T.N., Susoeva I.V. Scientific Substantiation of Aspen Wood Use in Wooden Glued Structures. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 6, pp. 149–161. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-6-149-161