Treesearch

To keep environmental product declarations current, the underlying life-cycle inventory data and subsequent life-cycle assessment (LCA) data for structural wood products must be updated. This publication developed the cradle-to-gate LCA production of Pacific Northwest composite I-joists aligned to the new ULE 2019 wood product PCR.

To keep environmental product declarations current, the underlying life-cycle inventory data and subsequent life-cycle assessment (LCA) data for structural wood products must be updated. This publication developed the cradle-to-gate LCA production of southeast composite I-joists aligned to the new ULE 2019 wood product PCR.

To keep environmental product declarations current, the underlying life-cycle inventory data and subsequent life-cycle assessment (LCA) data for structural wood products must be updated. This publication developed the cradle-to-gate LCA production of Pacific Northwest laminated veneer lumber aligned to the new ULE 2019 wood product PCR.

Ctenobium LeConte, 1865 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) was described for a single species, Ctenobium antennatum LeConte, 1865 (Fig. 1). Ctenobium most closely resembles Oligomerus Redtenbacher, from which it can be readily separated—the pro-coxae in Ctenobium are distinctly separated by a parallel-sided prosternal process, and the antennae are clubbed with antennal segments 3–8 serrate to pectinate (Figs. 1–2) (Philips 2002; White 1971). The conical shape and granulate surface of the last visible abdominal segment are also characteristic for Ctenobium (Fall 1905; LeConte 1865).

This life cycle assessment is part of a larger project to update the life cycle inventories for major wood products produced in the United States (U.S.) on a five-year cycle. Hardwood lumber manufacturing data were collected for the 2017 production year from sawmills operating in the northeast and north central regions (NE/NC) of the U.S.

In March, an overwhelming majority of month-over-month categories were negative. Total, single-, and multifamily starts all recorded double-digit declines. On a year-over-year basis, half the categories indicated improvement, whereas housing completions was the only subsector reporting declines for all components: total, single-family, and multifamily. New single-family and existing house sales decreased, month-over-month and year-over-year. Single-family construction expenditures improved year-over-year and decreased month-over-month. The effects of COVID-19 may not be fully reflected in...

The effects of leaf litter on moisture content and fungal decay development in above-ground wood specimens were assessed. Untreated southern pine specimens were exposed with or without leaf litter contact. Two types of leaf litter were evaluated; aged (decomposed) and young (early stages of decomposition). The moisture content of specimens was monitored, and specimens were periodically removed for visual evaluation of decay development. In addition, amplicon-based sequencing analysis of specimens and associated leaf litter was conducted at two time points. Contact with either type of leaf...

Buildings consume large amounts of materials and energy, making them one of the highest environmental impactors. Quantifying the impact of building materials can be critical to developing an effective greenhouse gas mitigation strategy. Using Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings (IE4B), this paper compares cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment (LCA) results for a 12-story building constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT) and a functionally equivalent reinforced concrete (RC) building. Following EN 15978 framework, environmental impacts for stages A1–A5 (product to construction), B2,...

Wood-plastic composites (WPC) contain wood fiber (or flour), thermoplastics and additives and are exposed to UV light, moisture, and biological deterioration in outdoor installations. Accelerated laboratory tests can help to predict the durability of WPCs, but long term evaluations are needed to validate these results. Field exposed above-ground WPC deck boards (30.5 x 139.7 x 609.6 mm) and in-ground (19 x 19 x 457 mm) stakes were visually evaluated near Saucier, Mississippi and Madison, Wisconsin over 17 years. Four blends were extruded on commercial-scale equipment containing additives...

It is well known that chemical modifications to improve decay resistance also reduce the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of wood. The mechanism of this action, however, has been the subject of much debate. Several groups have suggested that decay resistance is a result of lower diffusion rates of fungal degradation agents through the wood cell wall. A recent paper explained the fundamental principles governing diffusion through the wood cell wall. This current paper summarizes the findings in that paper with respect to decay resistance of modified wood. In short, large scale motions of...