Wood Construction Research Articles

Withdrawal Capacity of a Novel Rigging Device for Prefabricated Wood I-Joist Floor Panels

Prefabricated wood construction relies heavily on efficient material handling, yet rigging system design for floor panels remains understudied. This study introduces a novel rigging device that attaches to prefabricated wood I-joist floor panels using self-tapping screws, avoiding potential damage caused by predrilled holes in the sheathing panels and framing members. To establish allowable lifting capacities and optimal installation practices, comprehensive withdrawal tests were conducted on 114-floor panel specimens. Factors influencing withdrawal capacity, such as anchor plate placements, flange materials and width, screw type and quantity, and sheathing panel thickness, were systematically evaluated. Results indicate that withdrawal capacity does not scale linearly with screw quantity and that anchor plates with eight screws centered on the flange enhance performance by up to 20% compared to four-screw configurations. Unexpectedly, thinner sheathing panels yielded higher capacities, potentially due to increased screw penetration depth in the joist flange. In addition, anchor plate orientation, flange width, and flange materials also impact capacity. These findings provide essential data for designing reliable and efficient rigging systems in prefabricated wood construction.

Construction of biomass-based flame-retardant, antimicrobial and hydrophobic wood coatings with POSS organic-inorganic nanoparticles

The present study utilizes chitosan (CS) and phytic acid (PA) as natural polyelectrolytes, while incorporating Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS), an organic–inorganic hybrid Si-O-Si cage structure, to create a flame retardant, antimicrobial, and hydrophobic coating for wood materials using the layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The POSS flame retardant bisDOPO-NH2-POSS was synthesized by combining 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenathrene (DOPO) with octaminopropyl silsesquioxane (OA-POSS). Subsequently, AgNPs were incorporated into the cage structure of bisDOPO-NH2-POSS through in-situ reduction to fabricate Ag@bisDOPO-NH2-POSS for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. The CS/PA coating was deposited using the LBL method, which resulted in the formation of a dense char layer during combustion due to both the presence of an inorganic Si-O-Si physical barrier and the synergistic effect of P-N-Si. As a result, self-extinguishing behavior was observed during vertical burning tests, and there was an increase in the limiting oxygen index value to 30.9%. Moreover, by incorporating chitosan, Ag@bisDOPO-NH2-POSS exhibited inhibitory effects against mold such as Aspergillus niger and Lasiodiplodia. The heat release rate (HRR) was reduced by 42.3%, while the total heat release (THR) decreased by 44.4%. The modified wood demonstrates exceptional water repellency, characterized by a static contact angle exceeding 90°. Additionally, the multifunctional coating shows remarkable resilience as it withstands 100 abrasion cycles without compromising its hydrophobic properties. This study presents a sustainable approach to developing a bio-based coating for wood materials that is flame retardant, hydrophobic, and antimicrobial, thereby expanding the potential applications of wood in construction and furniture.

Study on the physico-mechanical properties and mechanisms of poplar wood co-modified by anoxic high-temperature heat treatment and impregnation with silica sol/phenolic resin

Addressing the challenges of fast-growing poplar wood in construction, decoration, and furniture, including low density, insufficient strength, poor toughness, and suboptimal dimensional stability, this study introduces an innovative organic/inorganic impregnation-heat treatment technique. This method significantly enhances the physico-mechanical properties of poplar wood and overcomes issues associated with thermosetting resin modification, such as reduced impact toughness, uneven resin penetration, and wood swelling. Utilizing in situ polymerization with silica sol and phenolic resin, specifically with particle sizes between 8 and 15 nm, the process markedly improves wood permeability and overall properties through vacuum pressure impregnation and heat treatment. The findings indicate a 54.42 % increase in the wood's density. Optimized heat treatment at 180 °C for 1 h significantly enhances dimensional stability and reduces water absorption, with the ASE value reaching up to 69.3 %. Furthermore, the impregnation-heat treated wood exhibits a 50.19 % increase in bending strength to 81.6 MPa, a 103.93 % increase in modulus of elasticity to 16.5 GPa, and a 29.42 % increase in impact toughness to 92.5 kJ/m2, demonstrating substantial improvements over the raw material. FT-IR analysis reveals the presence of Si-O-Si vibration peaks, indicating the effective penetration of silica sol. TGA analysis displays the treated material's superior thermal stability compared to the raw material. XRD analysis confirms that the impregnation and heat treatment processes have not adversely affected the wood's crystalline regions but have instead reduced hygroscopicity and enhanced stability. SEM analysis showed that the composite impregnation liquid effectively penetrated and distributed within the wood cells. These results open new theoretical and technical pathways for enhancing the physico-mechanical properties of fast-growing poplar wood.

The Impact of Quality Control Implementation on Productivity and Product Quality in Industry

Furniture production is one of the activities that has the potential to generate income for educational institutions. The furniture production process is generally carried out by experienced students utilizing industry-standard facilities, namely the Wood Construction workshop along with its machinery equipment. Therefore, the implementation of Quality Control in the production process is necessary. This study aims to determine the impact of Quality Control implementation on improving the productivity and quality of furniture products. The method used is quantitative with 4 stages of Quality Control, including product design, process planning, Incoming Quality Control (IQC), and In-Process Quality Control (IPQC). Productivity measurement is divided into 3 parts: partial productivity, total factor productivity, and total productivity, which includes labor productivity, time, and production output. Meanwhile, product quality measurement is obtained from assessments by practitioners and product quality testing according to ISO 19682. Data is processed using the path analysis method with the help of a smart PLS application. The research results show that the productivity of production output is 87.5%, categorized as good, with labor productivity of 0.125 pieces/person/day and work hour productivity of 0.25 pieces/hour/day. Product quality based on production processes is categorized as good at 83%. Meanwhile, product quality testing, including visual aspects is good (82.3%), product stability (normal), strength (normal), durability (normal), stiffness (normal 34mm/m), and drop test (normal). Based on path analysis, it is known that quality control including product design, process planning, Incoming Quality Control (IQC), and In-Process Quality Control (IPQC) has an impact on improving the productivity and quality of furniture products. the quality control carried out to increase productivity and product quality can be said to be good with the validation of the final result of 0.188 including in the good category.

Barriers to Introduce Mass Timber in Construction in Ecuador - Exploratory Study

In recent years, there has been a great interest in the use of mass timber in the construction industry. Thanks to configurations such as laminated timber (GLT and CLT), it has been possible to build high-rise buildings with its entire structure (beams, columns, slabs, and walls) made of wood. As technology improves, the gap between the use of reinforced concrete, steel, and wood will be reduced, and within a few years, wooden buildings may be as common as their concrete and steel counterparts. In Ecuador, the use of wood in construction is quite limited, with its most common use being with guadua cane (guadua angustifolia) and hardwoods for two-story houses. Mass timber could change this perception and be introduced as an alternative to concrete and steel. As its implementation is relatively new in the world, there is an opportunity to develop and exploit the potential of a new industry in the country. However, despite the potential of this material, its introduction may not have the expected impact, and this can occur due to a wide range of factors. This study developed a questionnaire using existing literature on mass timber in relation to: raw material production, manufacturing process, construction process, maintenance, cultural context, and environmental impact. With this, 10 interviews were conducted with professionals related to the construction industry. The responses were transcribed, analyzed, and coded to identify the perceived barriers for the introduction of this construction system in Ecuador. Finally, the article proposes ways to deepen academic research as well as the professional use of this material.

Analysis of Planar Double-Layer Timber Spatial Frames by Using Parametric Tools

It is in the preliminary design phase of a project that the designer makes decisions concerning the global geometry of the structure. When working with space frames, the choice of the frame topology is key for the structural behavior. It is difficult to find manuals that provide guidance on which of the most common topologies is the right one for the project, let alone in wood construction. In response to this shortcoming, the use of parametric software is proposed (Grasshopper build1.0.0007 and Karamba 3D 2.2.0.16-220828). The aim is to create a dynamic catalog that responds instantaneously to changes in the parameters to provide information on structural behavior, pre-dimensioning and metrics. With the display of all this information, the architect will have enough technical argumentation to choose or reject options. The proposal is developed through a case study: the early design and analysis stages of flat double-layer timber spatial frames as for rectangular medium-span roofs.

Education, innovation and research in wooden architecture and construction in the Alps

The essay explores the importance of teaching and research in the building cultures of specific territories, with a particular focus on the use of wood in construction. Through interviews with experts from research centres and universities, such as Andreja Kutnar from InnoRenew CoE in Slovenia, Frédéric Pichelin from the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, and Florian Court from the Haute École du Bois et de la Forêt association in France, the essay highlights how such institutions are promoting innovation and sustainable development in the wooden construction sector. Kutnar emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary and holistic research to develop renewable materials and improve the quality of the built environment. Pichelin discusses how innovation can emerge from the integration of new technologies and biobased materials, while Court addresses the challenge of industrialising wood production processes while preserving unique local characteristics. The essay also examines future challenges for wooden architecture in the Alps, such as climate change and the need for sustainable resources, highlighting projects like VETA/NOVA developed by the Bern University of Applied Sciences, which aims to develop guidelines for the restoration of historic wooden buildings. Finally, it discusses the possibility of translating global prerogatives into a local context, influencing the contemporary architectural identity of the Alps and its multidimensional impact on the territory.

Valorisation and regeneration in the western Italian Alps

This review of projects, selected from the provinces of Turin and Cuneo, represents some interesting examples of wooden buildings that often interact with pre-existing structures. In this sense, the use of wooden construction systems demonstrates the remarkable flexibility of this material in relating to existing buildings. Different approaches emerge: in the case of the former Casermette of Moncenisio, there are new buildings inserted within the pre-existing structure, while in the subsequent examples, the new intervention operates through an adjacency to the existing buildings. These projects are part of operations aimed at enhancing local wood, virtuously integrating into regenerative processes of the territory.

Technology and architectural expression in France and Slovenia

The selected projects in French and Slovenian territory represent the high degree of experimentation that manifests in these regions in the field of wooden construction. Starting with a redevelopment operation of a public space in Isère, the review moves on to two school buildings that are very different in terms of composition and scale of intervention; additionally, an interesting office building was selected, followed by a residence that explicitly expresses the design and construction potential of cross-laminated timber. The review concludes with a school building in Slovenian territory that features an interesting wooden structure, which determines one of the compositional principles of the entire project.

Evolving Perspectives: the resurgence of wood in Quebec architecture

Over the past two decades, Quebec has undergone a radical transformation in its approach to using wood in architecture, spurred by trade constraints on wood exports to the United States. This evolution is the outcome of synergistic efforts that have facilitated a transition resulting in significant technological and architectural advancements. Historically, Quebec’s vast forest resources have played a pivotal role in the development of local timber construction, particularly through traditional timber frame techniques. However, the 19th century witnessed a shift towards light-frame construction methods like the Balloon Frame, driven by industrialisation and urbanisation. By the mid-20th century, concrete gained dominance, the fruit of prioritising aesthetics over ideology in architectural design, especially in Montreal, where concrete structures flourished. The 1980s trade dispute with the United States marked a turning point, fostering innovation and a paradigm shift in wood use. Collaboration between industry and academia, exemplified by the Krüger Pavilion and the founding of FP Innovations, has propelled large-scale wood construction forward. Cecobois further supports this trend by facilitating access to technological innovations. This era of change highlights both the potential and limitations of wood in architecture, showcasing its role as a versatile and eco-friendly material that can enhance architectural design while facing technical challenges that sometimes limit its visibility and application.

Thermal Stability and Heat Transfer of Polyurethanes for Joints Applications of Wooden Structures.

Wood characterized by desired mechanical properties and wood joining material is essential for creating wooden structures. The polymer adhesives are suitable for such applications due to the possibility of energy dissipation from stresses generated by wooden structures and the elimination of thermal bridging, which are common problems in metal joining materials. This research focuses on the thermophysical properties of the laboratory-prepared flexible and rigid polyurethanes to select an appropriate polymer adhesive. Our results showed that the highest thermal stability was in the case of the new PSTF-S adhesive, which reached 230 °C, but the lowest mass loss in the air environment was around 54% for the PS material. The mean thermal expansion coefficient for F&R PU adhesives was 124-164∙10-6 K-1. The thermal diffusivity of examined adhesives varied between 0.100 and 0.180 mm2s-1. The thermal conductivity, depending on the type of polyurethane, was in the 0.13-0.29 W∙m-1∙K-1 range. The relative decrease in thermal diffusivity after heating the adhesives to 150 °C was from 2% for materials with the lowest diffusivity to 23% for the PU with the highest value of heat transfer. It was found that such data can be used to simulate wooden construction joints in future research.

Evaluation of different acoustic insulation methods in CLT structures

This study explores the efficacy of various structural noise insulation systems implemented in the construction of pilot houses made from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). Focusing on both vertical and lateral transmission, the research aims to evaluate the performance of different insulation methods in mitigating structural noise within these innovative wooden structures. The investigation involves a comprehensive testing regimen to assess the impact of insulation systems on noise reduction, considering both practical applications and theoretical considerations. The findings of this study contribute valuable insights into enhancing the acoustic performance of CLT pilot houses, thereby informing best practices for noise insulation in wooden construction systems.

Styli in Vilnius

Stylus is a metal or bone instrument that was used for writing on a birch bark or wax-coated wooden tablets. The tool itself (Greek: stilos; Latin: stilus) originated in antiquity: styli were common in ancient Greece and Rome. In Medieval Rus', which is characterised by an abundance of archaeological finds related to writing, the first styli date back to the 10th century. In the Middle Ages two types of styli were used – made of iron, for writing on birch, and made of animal bone, for writing on waxed tablets. This particular paper focuses on the latter. Medieval bone styli are a very rare find in Lithuanian archaeological material, especially in burial monuments. According to the data from 1998, only 15 graves out of almost 8000 contained styli. Bone styli are also rare in urban cultural layers. In addition, styli found in cities precede those found in burial grounds. Styli found in ethnic Lithuania are identical to those found in other cities of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, therefore their origin and spread could be associated with the influence of Ruthenian cities of the duchy. Two medieval burial grounds were found in the earliest towns of pagan Lithuania – Kernavė and Vilnius – where the dead were buried according to the Christian tradition (inhumation of the deceased, the east-west orientation (head to the west), wooden constructions, the scant presence of grave goods, and so forth). The most abundant type of grave goods included ornaments; however no tools or weapons typical of pagan burials were found in these two burial grounds. According to archaeological and historical material, burial grounds in Kernavė and Bokšto Street are nearly contemporaneous, both dating back to 13th–14th century although, the burial ground in Bokšto Street remained in use late as the 15th century. Various arguments are provided in debates on the religious affiliation of those who buried members of their community in these burial grounds. Some researchers disagree that the Orthodox were buried in these two burial grounds in the still pagan Lithuania. The lack of evidence on writing in the layers of the town of Kernavė, that is the absence of styli (except those found on the site of the ruler's castle), birch bark or waxed tablets, is presented as one of the arguments supporting the theory of non-Orthodox burials there. It is well known, that such finds were typical of Rus' cities, especially in Great Novgorod, where 1144 items of birch bark have been found up to 2021. Notably, fewer such finds were found in other cities of the Rus'. During the detailed archaeological investigations on the burial ground in Bokšto Street, several bone styli were found. It must be mentioned, that these artefacts were not found in the horizon of the burial ground, but in the later cultural layer, dating back to the 16th century. The material found is discussed in this paper. We also tried to answer the question of whether these styli could have originated from the horizon of the burial ground and how (or if) they could be associated with the 'Civitas Rutenica', Ruthenian city of Vilnius, which was mentioned in historical sources in 1383.

Historical Wooden Ceilings in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria

Abstract Wooden ceilings were among the earliest wooden constructions in wooden houses, and stone and brick buildings. In Austria, a special type of wooden ceiling is known as the Riemenbalkendecke. In Waidhofen, in the Ybbs region, these constructions are decorated with chip carvings, year numbers, and letters. There has been no systematic study on this type of ceiling in Austria. In this study, all houses in Waidhofen an der Ybbs built before 1900 were surveyed, and their ceiling constructions described. Riemenbalkendecken decorated with chip carvings and moldings appeared in 1465 CE and lasted for almost 300 years. The number of carved years was verified using dendrochronological dating. Different chip carving patterns were identified. The letters on ten ceilings can be attributed to the initials of the house owners at the time the ceiling was installed. None of the chip carvings can be attributed to ornaments that were common at the time. The art of the chip carvings on the wooden ceilings represents a special language of form.

Arhaeological Research in Okhtyrka — the Arhaeology of War

The article is devoted to the result of archaeological research carried out on the territory of the Okhtyrka fortress of the second half of the 17th–18th centuries. Excavations were conducted in the basement of the Okhtyrka Municipal Local History Museum. The building was severely damaged because of the night bombing in spring 2022. During the reconstruction of the museum, the workers had discovered archaeological artefacts. In the result of archaeological research, there were discovered the remains of a building buried in virgin soil. The most informative were the remains of the cellar walls. In the filling of the building, there were distinguished two layers separated by a sterile one. In the lower layer, the vast majority of fragments of tiles and furnace slag were found, and in the upper layer — numerous fragments of pottery and individual finds. The analysis of the artefacts location and the general stratigraphy allows presuming preliminary conclusions. The dwelling had two levels — the ground living level with the furnace and the underground one, or a cellar. The level had a massive ceiling made of oak logs and a wooden construction made of logs with a diameter of 0.15–0.25 m. The space between the wooden construction and virgin soil was filled with yellow sand. Mostly, in the filling of the dwelling were found light clay pottery fragments and some items covered with green glaze. The tiles were decorated with stylised floral ornament. Among the imports, the most noticeable are a handle of a faience cup produced in the Ottoman Empire and fragments of clay bottles of Riga balsam. In addition, a faience ointment jar, produced in Germany or Austria in the 18th century. Based on the analysis of the finds, the time of construction of the building is dated to the 20s–30s, and the time of destruction — 70s–80s of the 18th century. The first date is indicated by a coin minted in 1731, found in a piece of preserved oak log, and the second one by the lower part of a clay bottle, found on the floor of the cellar. Some of the imported finds are related to medicine, so we can assume using the building as a pharmacy in the last years of its existing.

Regulation of wood porous structure and construction of reduced graphene oxide@wood derived carbon conducting collector

With the gradual increase in the consumption of non-renewable energy sources, the development of energy storage and conversion devices has become increasingly important. Sustainable self-supporting conductive collectors have become one of the effective ways to enhance the performance of energy storage devices. In this study, the pore modulation technique was implemented on Beijing poplar and camphor pine using delignification and water extraction, and six wood-derived carbon (WC) electrodes were prepared by heat treatment using untreated material as a control. By observing the microscopic morphology, it was found that all six carbon materials retained the graded porous structure characteristic of natural wood. The carbon material prepared from water extraction treated Beijing poplar (WPC) had the best capacitive properties. The conductive reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is composited with WPC, and the constructed RGO@WPC (RWPC) conductive collector has an average conductivity as high as 15.4 S m−1, which provides a strong guarantee for fast electron transport. The specific capacitance of RWPC is as high as 2100 mF cm−2 when the current density is 1 mA cm−2. The constructed RWPC//RWPC energy storage device has a maximum energy density of 3.76 Wh kg−1 and a maximum power density of 171.3 W kg−1. In this paper, a green and efficient self-supporting conductive collector with a graded porous structure is proposed. It also broadens the high value-added utilization of wood in energy storage.

Wood Construction Practices of the Dong Ethnic Group (Guangxi Province, China)

This exploratory multiple-case study aims to analyse the ecological design of wooden houses in Dong villages (Guangxi province, China). Residential and public Dong houses were investigated from ecological and cultural perspectives. The results show that topography (i.e., building near the river in a mountainous area) is the main factor influencing the Dong building construction process. It also affects the building layout decisions. The life cycle assessment was applied to collect general information about the exterior and interior design of the Dong settlements. For this, a range of pictures and historical facts (e.g., demand for fire ponds and balconies, ornament usage, etc.) was analysed. The study suggests fir timber as a basic ecological resource for wooden house buildings. Yet, it is highly flammable and increases the fire risk. A brief discussion on the cultural heritage of the Dong people and its influence on their building system was presented. The present findings can be used in future eco-design projects as a brief guideline for creating a traditional-style ethnic wooden house.

Disaster risk management of cultural heritage: A global scale analysis of characteristics, multiple hazards, lessons learned from historical disasters, and issues in current DRR measures in world heritage sites

This study focuses on disaster risk reduction (DRR) in World Heritage (WH) sites around the world. The contents of disaster risk management in management plans, maps, and photographs of target WH sites are examined to understand the characteristics and hazards of heritage sites, lessons learned from historical disasters, and the status and issues in current strategies and measures. Through analyzing these results, it is found that there are diversified hazards in groups of buildings and archaeological sites in Asia and Europe. It is also revealed that fires, earthquakes, strong winds, and floods frequently occurred and caused enormous damage to the heritage sites, as well as human-induced disasters such as terrorism and explosions. Moreover, it was identified that heritage sites with wooden construction or construction partially composed of wooden components were more often damaged by fire, heritage sites located on multiple kinds of terrain were affected by a variety of disasters, and especially coastal heritage sites were exposed to shore erosion and sea level rise related to climate change. Through analyzing the damage, the various fire causes and the need for DRR measures against fires, earthquakes, and floods, become clear, and the urgency to investigate and address human-induced disasters is understood. It is further revealed that few surveyed WH sites have adopted intervention measures for earthquakes, storms, and human-induced hazards.

Business model innovation for reducing uncertainty in sustainability transitions: A case study of the wood construction industry

Sustainability transitions are a significant challenge that requires established industries to adopt innovative ways of doing business. Research suggests that while this is possible through business model innovation (BMI), risk avoidance by regime actors and high levels of future uncertainty act as barriers to successful transitions. Specifically, we lack knowledge about how established companies innovate their business model (BM) to reduce uncertainty related to sustainability transitions. We explore the case of a large forest‐based manufacturing company in the construction industry, Stora Enso. We find that, by pursuing transformative BMI and combining multiple value creation logics, a company can reduce different types of uncertainty while shaping its business ecosystem towards more sustainable opportunities. We show that the BM can serve as an organizational tool for collectively exploring new knowledge, reducing uncertainty and driving change in a business ecosystem.

Analysis of the biocorrosion community from ancient wooden constructions at Tianluoshan (7000–6300 cal BP), Zhejiang Province, China

Ancient wooden constructions, also known as wooden cultural relics, refers to ancient wood that has been modified or crafted by human activities. To ensure its preservation, it is crucial to gain further understanding of the decomposition mechanisms affecting archaeological wood. In this study, we investigated the microbiome diversity and cellulose decomposition processes in a 6300-year-old ancient wooden construction at the Tianluoshan site (7000–6300 cal BP) in Zhejiang Province, China. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) was employed to analyze the metagenomic functions, specifically focusing on the microbial communities' cellulose-degrading pathways using bioinformatic approaches. The findings revealed that the excavation of archaeological wood significantly altered the environment, leading to an accelerated deterioration process. This degradation was primarily influenced by carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism pathways within the complex ecosystem consisting of bacteria, archaea, fungi, microfauna, plants, and algae. Proteobacteria, actinobacteria, ascomycota, and basidiomycota were identified as the main sources of bacterial cellulose-degrading enzymes. The results obtained from this evaluation will provide valuable insights for the development of targeted conservation strategies and prioritization of preservation efforts for the ancient wooden constructions found in different regions of the Tianluoshan site.Graphical