Treesearch

Paper based packaging has the potential to replace many plastic-based systems if the required barrier properties can be obtained. Water borne barrier coatings have the potential to generate good barrier layers, but their performance is often less than expected. Recent work has shown improved performance of these coatings when applied on paper that has a cellulose nanofiber layer. Here, papers with a cellulose nanofiber layer were coated with barrier coatings at different coat weights applied as single-layers, as double-layers, and single-layers pressed together in a hot press in order to...

The effect of foam discontinuity in the shear zone of structural insulated panel (SIP) beams was investigated in the current research. Two depths of 15.24 cm and 31.11 cm (6.5 in. and 12.25 in.) SIPs were evaluated in 1/3-point bending. Panels were sawn into beams, each approximately 29.84 cm (11.75 in.) wide, for the mechanical testing. Half of the panels had joints or discontinuities in the foam layer in a location that was subject to shear stress during the bending tests. Half of the panels did not have joints or discontinuities in the foam layer in the locations that were subject to...

The utility sector has been employing ultrasonic-based nondestructive evaluation (NDE) to determine the cross-sectional groundline integrity of wooden utility poles. While it is far less invasive than other methods, its efficacy has not been thoroughly studied. This study aims to fill this technical gap by analyzing the correlation between the propagational characteristics of the ultrasonic stress wave using a novel embedded waveguide technique and the existing destructive testing methods. The proposed embedded waveguide technique excites diffusive Rayleigh mode (AW2) propagating in the...

Bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) and tensile properties parallel to the grain were studied on 702 pieces of 2 × 6 and 285 pieces of 2 × 10 No. 2 visually graded southern pine lumber. The overall rings per inch (RPI) in 2 × 6 pieces was 4.82, whereas 2 × 10 had an RPI average of 3.82. For latewood percentage (LW), 2 × 6 pieces found 45.88% of LW and 45.02% for 2 × 10 pieces. Bending MOE (Eb) mean for 2 × 6 was 10,615 MPa, whereas for 2 × 10 lumber, the mean was 13,665 MPa. The tension MOE (Et) mean for 2 × 6 lumber was 11,339 MPa, whereas for 2 × 10 the mean was 9735 MPa. The ultimate...

Recent research and development on nondestructive testing technologies has brought the in-forest assessments of wood and fiber properties of standing trees into forest management, resource evaluation, harvesting operation, and efficient wood utilization. Significant values are associated with the wood and fiber quality of our forests for the production of structural lumber, engineered wood products (such as glulam, LVL, and CLT), and pulping and paper. Rapid and nondestructive measurements on trees allow this value to be realized through better silvicultural practices, as well as the...

Regarding the limited resources for fossil fuels and increasing global energy demands, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change, there is a need to find alternative energy sources that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, renewable, and economically viable. In the last several decades, interest in second-generation bioethanol production from non-food lignocellulosic biomass in the form of organic residues rapidly increased because of its abundance, renewability, and low cost. Bioethanol production fits into the strategy of a circular economy and zero waste plans, and using...

Mass timber products (MTPs) are being adopted in new building constructions and remodels in the last three decades, credited to their renewable and low carbon footprint characteristics. However, there are no mass timber manufacturers currently existing in Atlantic Canada. Extended distances of transporting MTPs to this region from other Canadian provinces may sacrifice the environmental benefits of using MTPs. This study was aimed to understand, via conducting a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA), the environmental impacts of a midrise institutional building, which is located in...

This study investigated carbonate pre-treatment of wood followed by densification for producing advanced wood structural materials. Poplar wood blocks of 100 mm long and 20 mm wide with thickness of 10 mm were treated with sodium carbonate with and without sulfide at different carbonate loadings at 150 ºC for 30 min. Carbonate effectively removed lignin and hemicelluloses which facilitated subsequent wood densification for improving wood mechanical properties. Comparing with wood pre-treatment using sodium hydroxide, carbonate pretreatment improved wood yield but achieved similar level of...

The goal of this research was to develop a simple laboratory test for examining heat delamination in cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. The laboratory test was designed to mimic the fire tests described in Annex B of the ANSI/APA PRG320 standard, which is required for CLT product qualification in North America. The Annex B test requires a full-sized room (2.4 by 4.9 by 2.7 m) to be constructed and exposed to a design fire scenario. In this article, we scaled the mechanical and fire loads so that they could be conducted in an intermediate-scale furnace with 1.1 m2 of exposed CLT panels....

Indoor humidity levels in buildings affect the quality of indoor air, the health and comfort of the occupants, and the durability of the structure. Interior water vapor generation is an important consideration in building design analysis. In this paper we compare two methods for quantifying water vapor generation rates in residential buildings. The first involves Monte Carlo simulations that consider time varying interior sources using statistical survey data. Typical sources include humans, pets, plants, showering, bathing, cooking, washing, etc. The second approach involves field...