Treesearch

The Log Recovery Analysis Tool (LORCAT) is a simulation tool that allows users to examine the impact of changes in the hardwood log-sawing process on sawn volume, grade recovery, and profit. LORCAT was designed to be simple to use and requires a minimum of user data entry. While the results of LORCAT have been informally compared to sawmill results by users, no formal validation of results has yet been performed. This study compared LORCAT’s simulated recovery results to that of an actual sawmill. For the 42 hardwood log samples we examined, we found no significant statistical difference...

This paper summarizes work conducted to assess the condition of members in historically significant timber sailing vessels. Four ship assessments are described, the USS Constitution, the USS Cairo, and the Wapama. Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution was nicknamed “Old Ironsides” and was a combat vessal used by the US Navy. “Old Ironsides” is a three-masted heavy frigate with a hull primarily constructed of live oak. The USS Cairo is a city class ironclad river gunboat. It was built in 1861 and commissioned in January 1862. It was used in combat by Union forces during the American Civil...

Background: Boreal forests cover vast areas of land in the northern hemisphere and store large amounts of carbon (C) both aboveground and belowground. Wildfires, which are a primary ecosystem disturbance of boreal forests, affect soil C via combustion and transformation of organic matter during the fire itself and via changes in plant growth and microbial activity post-fire. Wildfire regimes in many areas of the boreal forests of North America are shifting towards more frequent and severe fires driven by changing climate. As wildfire regimes shift and the effects of fire on belowground...

Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) have potential utilization as oxygen barrier layers when applied as the primary component of a single layer in multilayer packaging systems. One limitation of dense CNM films is their lack of durability due to their brittle nature. The durability of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films was examined through the lens of understanding the residual stress that formed within the films during drying. A beam bending method consisting of drying CNF films on top of a flexible substrate was used to quantify residual stress. It was determined that for two common variations...

Engineered wood floor framing members, such as I-joists, must pass full-scale fire endurance tests to demonstrate equivalency to unprotected nominal 2 by 10 dimension lumber (actual dimensions 38 by 235 mm (1.5 by 9.25 in.)) if used in fire-rated assemblies. The full-scale test is performed in a furnace with dimensions of at least 3.7 by 3.7 m (12.1 by 12.1 ft) with a floor assembly loaded to 50% of the allowable stress design bending load. The standard fire curve is used during the test. The acceptance criteria of 15.5 min was determined from equivalence to the calculated fire resistance...

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is an emerging and popular specialty crop in North America and worldwide. Both the fruit and flowers are being increasingly consumed because of their proven health benefits, mostly in the form of dietary supplement products. We explored changes in consumer knowledge and purchasing preferences regarding elderberry products after comparing results of a survey conducted in 2022 with those of a previous study conducted in 2011. Findings based on responses from 1036 US residents revealed that 41.2% had previously consumed elderberry products. This marks a significant...

In 2001, a northern climatic research house was constructed to demonstrate advanced and novel building techniques, materials, and systems for the Upper Midwest region of the United States. As part of the Advanced Housing Research Center program, the house highlighted energy efficiency, sustainability, water efficiency, and moisture research, specifically moisture movement and accumulation in buildings. The house is a 2,300-ft2, two-story structure located on the grounds of the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin. It is considered a research structure...

In this study, the creep deflection behavior of structural insulated panels (SIPs) was evaluated for creep-rupture equivalence to solid wood per ASTM D6815. The SIP specimens used in the study had 0.44-in. oriented strandboard (OSB) facers with a core of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. The following four groups of 15 SIP specimens each were examined: 12.25 in. thick with 1.2-lb/ft3 foam; 12.25 in. thick with 1.0-lb/ft3 foam; 6.5 in. thick with 1.2-lb/ft3 foam; and 6.5 in. thick with 1.0-lb/ft3 foam. To determine creep performance, both 12.25-in.-thick specimen groups were combined into a...

Cross-laminated timber (CLT), an engineered wood product, has grown in popularity in the United States over the last decade due to its ease of assembly, aesthetic appeal, and potential to serve as a sustainable and renewable alternative building material. The improved robustness of CLT over light-frame timber structures has increased its potential in force-protected infrastructure that must resist blast waves and ballistic projectile penetration, but softwood CLT is typically not sufficient to fulfill standard criteria for ballistic threats. To address these threats, enhanced CLT (ECLT)...

The aviation sector contributes approximately 2.5% to global GHG emissions, driving a growing interest in mitigating its environmental impacts through use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A critical component in SAF development lies in securing sustainable feedstock supplies to ensure competitive pricing and minimal environmental impact. This novel study compares the techno-economic and life-cycle environmental impacts from cradle-to-gate of SAF production from forest residues as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock. The fuel production pathway considered in this study includes conversion...