Advanced analysis tools and programs to accelerate the adoption of more natural structures

Christopher G. Hunt; Joseph Jakes; Charles R. Frihart

Treesearch

Advanced analysis tools and programs to accelerate the adoption of more natural structures

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Christopher G. Hunt, Joseph Jakes, Charles R. Frihart

Year:

2017

Type:

Paper

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

In: Proceedings, COST action FP1407 - 3rd conference, Wood modification research and applications. Kuchl, Austria: Salzburg University of Applied Sciences: 19-20.

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Download (PDF 2.20 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/55197.pdf

Abstract

While wood is a highly desirable building material from an ecological and sustainability perspective, we do not understand its fundamental properties nearly as well as we understand competing materials such as steel and concrete. We can avoid toxic preservatives by acetylating wood, but we don’t fundamentally understand why acetylation works. Hydroxymethylated resorcinol (HMR) can dramatically improve the water resistance of wood bonds, but no one has been able to explain the mechanism. This lack of understanding slows progress by forcing wood technology industries to rely on inefficient empirical strategies to develop and validate new products and technologies.

Keywords

Wood properties, structure-property relationships, durability, adhesives

Citation

Hunt, Christopher G.; Jakes, Joseph; Frihart, Charles. 2017. Advanced analysis tools and programs to accelerate the adoption of more natural structures. In: Proceedings, COST action FP1407 - 3rd conference, Wood modification research and applications. Kuchl, Austria: Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. p. 19-20.