Constitutive equation of wood at variable humidity and temperature

Summary Theoretical analysis of the effects of variations in moisture content and temperature on the creep of wood is presented. Thermodynamics of the processes of diffusion of water in wood microstructure is discussed and distinction is drawn between macrodiffusion and microdiffusion. The constitutive relation for steady states of moisture content and temperature is formulated on the basis of Maxwell chain model whose viscosity coefficients depend on moisture content and temperature. It is shown that the apparent acceleration of creep due to simultaneous drying (or wetting) as well as heating (or cooling) may be modeled as additional, stress-induced shrinkage (or swelling) and stress-induced thermal expansion (or contraction), described by shrinkage and thermal expansion coefficients that depend on the absolute values of the rates of pore humidity and temperature. Certain other sources of irreversibility of creep are also discussed.Thanks are due to Forest Products Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Madison, Wisconsin, for funding a large part of this work under subcontract FP-81-0389. Thanks are also due to John J. Zahn, research engineer from this laboratory and the subcontract monitor, for his numerous valuable discussions during the progress of the work.     

Utility pole decay

Summary The Basidiomycetes associated with decay in pine, Douglas-fir, and cedar utility poles within various geographic regions of North America were investigated. On the basis of 313 isolations from these poles, 9 fungi appeared to be of major importance in internal pole decay in the United States. These fungi were the following: Lentinus lepideus, Lenzites saepiaria, L. trabea, Peniophora A., P. gigantea, and Poria radiculosa in pine, and L. lepideus, Poria carbonica, P. monticola, and P. xantha in Douglas-fir poles. Lentinus lepideus was overwhelmingly predominant in pine poles, whereas Poria carbonica was similarly predominant in Douglas-fir poles. Lenzites trabea was the fungus most often isolated from cedar poles; however, it is believed to be associated primarily with shell rot of cedar poles and to be of little significance, therefore, in causing internal decay of cedar. The fungi associated with western red-cedar and red and jack pine poles in Canada are listed, although the frequency of their occurrence is not included.This work was in cooperation with the Navy Department, Naval Facilities Engineering Command.The author is indebted to the following for furnishing cultures and pole sections or both for culturing or for information on the identities of the species of decay fungi found in Canadian poles: Joe Clark and John Kulp, U. S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin; Robert Graham and John Mothershead, Forest Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; O. Floyd Hand, Bonneville Power Administration, Vancouver, Washington; John Shields, Canadian Forest Products Laboratory, Ottawa, Ontario; and John Roff, Canadian Forest Products Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia. The author is especially indebted to members of the Forest Disease Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, for their invaluable aid in identifying representative cultures of many of the fungi discussed in this investigation.The Laboratory is maintained at Madison in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin.     

Differential calometric analysis of wood and wood components

Summary The prolysis of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin preparations, and wood was studied by differential calorimetric analysis (DCA) for the range of 25° to 800° C. The test samples included powdered and filter paper celluloses; hardwood xylan; softwood galactoglucomannans, compression wood galactan, and arabinogalactan; a synthetic (DHP), sulfuric acid, Björkman, Brownell, and cellulase lignins; and unextracted and extracted hardwoods and softwoods. Heats of reaction were determined from the DCA thermal transition areas. Distinct differences were found between the thermograms of each hemicellulose and lignin sample. Although wood species could not be separated thermally, hardwood and softwood thermograms differed because of the hemicellulose degradation pattern.Trade names and company names are included for the benefit of the reader and do not imply any endorsement or preferential treatment of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Formerly Research Technologist, Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Laboratory is maintained at Madison, Wis. 53705, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. Present address: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802.     

Thickness swelling and density variation in aspen flakeboards

Summary This paper reports the relationship between thickness swelling and density in labmade aspen flakeboards. The boards were manufactured with several levels of initial mat moisture content and urea resin content. Weight increase and thickness swelling at 12 locations on each board were recorded under specified environmental conditions over a period of 71 days. Each board was then cut into 12 specimens, each containing one of the 12 locations at its center, and density was calculated. No definite relationship was found between thickness swelling and density among the 12 specimens of each board. Our results suggest that high initial moisture content and high resin content can decrease thickness swelling. Variations in mat pressure and core temperature during the press cycle and weight increase at 80 percent relative humidity are discussed.The Forest Products Laboratory is maintained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and it is therefore in the public domain and not subject to copyright     

The validity of the use of SEM/EDAX as a tool for the detection of UF resin penetration into wood cell walls in particleboard

Summary The interpretation of data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) is dependent on the size of the excitation volume, the magnitude of which for organic materials such as wood has been little studied. From the analysis of a model system comprised of a thin layer of gold sandwiched between two layers of an epoxy plastic, it was shown that about 90% of all excitations arise from a volume about 6 m wide and 4 m deep. However, these dimensions vary with the orientation of the gold relative to the specimen surface, and the specimen tilt. Theoretical predictions based on these data support, but not conclusively, the previously published SEM/EDAX evidence of the penetration of urea formaldehyde resins into the wood cell wall in particleboard manufacture.This paper was written while A. J. Bolton was Heritage Visiting Scientist at the Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Visiting Professor at the Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin, both at Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. This support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors would also like to acknowledge the assistance of E. Edwards in machining the SEM specimens     

Weathering characteristics of hardwood surfaces

Summary Four hardwoods, red oak, white oak, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum, were exposed to outdoor weathering and to artificial ultraviolet (UV) light with wavelengths of >220 and >254 nm. Discoloration and loss of brightness were observed from all specimens regardless of their exposure conditions. White oak and sweetgum changed color at a slower rate than did red oak and yellow-poplar. SEM micrographs showed that all wood species exhibited surface deterioration after 30 days exposure to sunlight or 500 hrs to UV light. Loss of middle lamella, separation of procumbent cells, and damage of pit structures were observed on transverse sections for all species. ESCA studies revealed a high oxygen content at the wood surfaces indicating severe oxidation of wood exposed either outdoors or to artificial UV light. The generation of new chromophoric groups such as carbonyls, carboxylic acids and quinones, and the loss of lignin at the oxidized surface were demonstrated experimentally by infrared studies.This study was supported by cooperative research funds provided by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. The authors wish to acknowledge this support     

A reexamination of some deviations from Darcy's Law in coniferous wood

Summary A number of workers have noted a marked decrease of wood permeability with increasing specimen length, and to date a model proposed by Bramhall has been used to explain the phenomenon. This describes the effect of random blockages on the permeability of an anisotropic porous medium. However, the model does not allow for the fact that transverse flow may allow longitudinal flow paths to circumvent blockages to some extent, so some deviation from it can be expected. The issue is an important one if laboratory experiments are to be used as a basis for the prediction of the behaviour of wood during impregnation or drying on a commercial scale. A modified model which allows for transverse flow is therefore developed. New experimental evidence which cannot be explained by the Bramhall model, but which can be explained by the new model, is presented.This paper was written while the author was Heritage Visiting Scientist at the Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Visiting Professor at the Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin, both at Madison, Wisconsin, USA. This support is gratefully acknowledged. The author would also like to thank Messrs. J. Ambler, M. C. Breese and S. H. Turner, who carried out some of the experimental work, and staff at the Commonwealth Forestry Institute, Oxford, who provided the Juniperus procera material tested     

Development of kiln drying schedule severity indices for degrade control

Summary Severity of kiln schedules used to dry wood has traditionally been determined after the fact. As an alternative, analytical indices using integral calculus have been developed to rate kiln schedule severity. Theoretical justification is presented for the general form of an index as well as for several specific cases. Possible uses of this type of index are also indicated. The indices take into account the dry and wet bulb temperatures used throughout a schedule as well as the duration of application and points of application of each combination of temperature and humidity used.The assistance of the California Cedar Products Company, Stockton, California, and, in particular, Charles Berolzheimer and John Rhemrev, is gratefully acknowledgedThe authors are, respectively, Research Associate and Project Leader, Forest Products Laboratory, University of California, Richmond     

Prevention of crosscut and heating heart checks in log ends

Summary Circumferential bands stretched around the stem, kerfs cut into the stem before cross-cutting, and circular grooves in new end faces of logs are evaluated as measures against heart checks. The success of the three measures greatly depends on the distance they are applied from the log end or from the stem axis and on the dimensions of the band, kerf, or groove. Most efficient distances and dimensions are computed in a Finite Element method. Bands appear to be most promising, though wide bands and huge stretching forces have to be applied for thick stems. Where intact cores of timbers are more important than peripheral zones, the cheaper kerfs and grooves appear to be more economical.Research supported by funds provided under McIntire-Stennis Public Law No. 87-788 in cooperation with the US Forest Products Laboratory, Madison     

Development of kiln drying schedule severity indices for degrade control

Summary A previous article presented the theoretical development of analytical indices to rate the severity of kiln schedules used to dry wood. These indices take into account the dry and wet bulb temperatures used during a kiln schedule together with the points of application and duration of application of each combination of temperature and humidity used. Experimental data for several such indices are presented for collapse development during the kiln drying of incense cedar pencil slats. While promising, the results were inconclusive as to the use of a severity integral for prediction of the effect of different schedules or schedule changes on drying degrade. A lack of homogeneity in the test material confounded the results.The assistance of the California Cedar Products Company, Stockton, California and, in particular, Charles Berolzheimer and John Rhemrev, is gratefully acknowledgedThe authors are, respectively, Research Associate and Project Leader, Forest Products Laboratory, University of California, Richmond     

Monitoring critical defects of creep rupture in oriented strandboard using acoustic emission: incorporation of EN300 standard

This creep rupture study in commercial oriented strandboard (OSB) used a 4-point flexural test to evaluate the dynamic property changes of a 300×1,000-mm specimen using an acoustic emission (AE) system. Compared to deflection, AE events were more sensitive to damage accumulation than deflection to final failure. Specimens were artificially notched on either the tension- or compression-side and were subjected to 80% stress level at ambient conditions. Defects on the compression side of the bending specimen were found to be more critical than on the tension side in creep-rupture. The in-plane fractures followed patterns of the valleys of low-density spots as defect trenches, demonstrating adverse effects of high variation in horizontal density. An impetus and rationale to incorporate regulatory quality inspection standards and product certification of structural OSB based on the control limits of ±10% panel density as stipulated in EN300 standard is discussed.Experiment conducted at the former University of California Forest Products Laboratory (Nondestructive Evaluation Center), Richmond, CA 94804, USA.     

Theoretical models for creep slip of nailed joints between wood and wood-based materials

Summary Applying modern methods of analyzing floor, wall, and connection subsystems in light-frame wood buildings requires information on the stiffness of nailed joints under long-term loads. Because this information can best be derived by testing nail-joint specimens under constant loads, theoretical procedures were developed that use test data for constant loads to predict stiffness under variable in-service loads; five nonlinear, viscous-viscoelastic models were develpoed on the basis of existing formulations of creep and mechanisms of load transfer between nails and wood. The models incorporated the modified superposition and strain-hardening principles in describing responses to discrete or continuous loading functions. Tests have shown that the models closely predict creep slip of typical nailed joints.This research was jointly supported by the Forest Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, and the Cooperative State Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Special Grant 85-CRSR-2-2553. This is Paper 2288 of the Forest Research LaboratoryFormerly Graduate Research Assistant Forest Research Laboratory     

肉桂和同源根皮不同极性部位的成分分析及其抑菌效果

以肉桂及其同源根皮为原料,采用80%乙醇分别对两者进行回流提取,经系统溶剂法萃取得到两者的石油醚部位、乙酸乙酯部位、正丁醇部位和水部位,并采用滤纸片法研究各极性部位对常见的3种致病菌(金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌)的抑菌活性。研究结果表明:相同质量的肉桂和根皮提取得到的各极性部位的质量、成分种类及含量均有所差异,其中石油醚部位所含成分大致相同,但主要成分反式肉桂醛、邻甲氧基肉桂醛含量差异较大;两者乙酸乙酯部位、正丁醇部位和水部位分别含有黄酮类,皂苷类和多糖类成分;此外根皮乙酸乙酯部位还含有邻甲氧基肉桂醛、乙酸肉桂酯,根皮水部位含有D-半乳糖。肉桂石油醚部位、根皮石油醚部位、根皮乙酸乙酯部位对3种菌均有一定的抑制作用,当这3个部位的质量浓度均为500 g/L时,对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌的抑菌圈直径分别大于(17.62±0.22)、(25.21±2.09)和(12.82±0.30)mm,肉桂乙酸乙酯部位抑菌作用较弱,肉桂和根皮正丁醇部位和水部位对3种供试菌种均无抑制作用。     

Participation of singlet oxygen in the photodegradation of wood surfaces

Summary Photodegradation of wood surfaces in the presence of oxygen was studied. ESR studies revealed that free radicals were formed at the wood surface during photoirradiation. These wood free radicals readily interacted with oxygen molecules to form peroxide radicals. Iodometry UV absorption studies showed that hydroperoxide was formed in the photoirradiated wood. The hydroperoxide concentration increased when wood was irradiated in the presence of singlet oxygen generators such as Rose Bengal and Methylene Blue. Hydroperoxide concentration decreased when wood was irradiated in the presence of singlet oxygen quenchers such as 1,4-diazobicyclo (2,2,2) octane, -carotene and triethylamine. These findings imply the participation of singlet oxygen in the photodegradation of wood surfaces. The mechanisms of formation of singlet oxygen and hydroperoxide during photoirradiation are proposed. The consequence of hydroperoxide decomposition reactions on the discoloration and degradation of wood surface is discussed.This study was supported by cooperative research funds provided by the US Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisoonsin. The authors (DNSH and STC) wish to acknowledge this support     

不同温度下喷施油菜素内酯对香椿幼苗的影响

为了探究外源油菜素内酯(BR)对不同温度(8、28、38℃)下香椿幼苗生长的调节作用,以盆栽5月龄香椿幼苗为试材,以喷施清水为对照,研究外源油菜素内酯对不同温度下香椿幼苗生物量、叶绿素含量、光合特性、叶绿素荧光特性的影响。结果表明;外源BR处理可提高不同温度下香椿幼苗叶绿素的含量,显著提高香椿幼苗生物量和干物质积累量,使香椿幼苗叶片组织加厚,叶片相对含水率(RWC)提升,并且提高了香椿幼苗的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(Gs)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和光化学猝灭系数(qP),降低了胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、初始荧光(F_o)、非光化学猝灭系数(qN)。综上所述:喷施油菜素内酯可以促进适温下(28℃)香椿幼苗植株的生长,提高香椿幼苗在温度胁迫下的缓解作用和适应能力。     

Changes in structural and chemical components of wood delignified by fungi

Summary Cerrena unicolor, Ganoderma applanatum, Ischnoderma resinosum and Poria medulla-panis were associated with birch wood that had been selectively delignified in the forest. Preferential lignin degradation was not uniformly distributed throughout the decayed wood. A typical white rot causing a simultaneous removal of all cell wall components was also present. In the delignified wood, 95 to 98% of the lignin was removed as well as substantial amounts of hemicelluloses. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify the micromorphological and ultrastructural changes that occurred in the cells during degradation. In delignified areas the compound middle lamella was extensively degraded causing a defibration of cells. The secondary wall, especially the S₂ layer, remained relatively unaltered. In simultaneously white-rotted wood all cell wall layers were progressively removed from the lumen toward the middle lamella causing erosion troughs or holes to form. Large voids filled with fungal mycelia resulted from a coalition of degraded areas. Birch wood decayed in laboratory soil-block tests was also intermittently delignified. Selective delignification, sparsely distributed throughout the wood, and a simultaneous rot resulting in the removal of all cell wall components were evident. Scanning electron microscopy appears to be an efficient technique for examining decayed wood for fungi with the capacity to selectively delignify wood.The authors would like to thank Kathy Zuzek for technical assistance and Dr. M. Larsen, Forest Prod. Lab., Madison, for identifying the sporophores of Poria medulla-panis. This research was founded in part by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory and from the Graduate School, University of Minnesota     

Stress wave sorting of red maple logs for structural quality

Existing log grading procedures in the United States make only visual assessments of log quality. These procedures do not incorporate estimates of the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of logs. It is questionable whether the visual grading procedures currently used for logs adequately assess the potential quality of structural products manufactured from them, especially those for which MOE is of primary concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of stress wave nondestructive evaluation techniques to sort red maple logs for the potential quality of lumber obtained from them. Ninety-five red maple logs were nondestructively evaluated using longitudinal stress wave techniques and sorted into four stress wave grades. The logs were then sawn into cants and lumber. The same procedure was used to obtain stress wave times in the cants and lumber. The lumber specimens were then dried and graded using a transverse vibration technique. The results of this study showed that good relationships existed between stress wave times measured in logs, cants, and the lumber produced from the logs. It was found that log stress wave grades have positive relationships with the lumber grades. Logs with high stress wave grades produced high-grade lumber. These findings indicate that the longitudinal stress wave technique has potential in sorting logs and cants for the production of high MOE products.The Forest Products Laboratory is maintained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and it is therefore in the public domain and not subject to copyright.     

Microstructure of wood char

Summary Past research on the combustion and pyrolysis of wood have often indicated a link between wood microstructure and its observed properties in fire exposure. The present research, after utilizing an instrumented fire exposure shown to simulate actual fire conditions, examines the microstructure of fire damaged wood and considers the implications of microstructural changes seen on the burning process.Differences in microstructural detail between wood and char, as well as fissure geometry, were shown to be consistent. The demarcation between damaged and undamaged wood was shown to be extremely small (several cell layers in thickness). The resulting microstructural observations are considered in light of published kinetic data on wood combustion and current theories and data on thermal degradation of wood.The authors wish to acknowledge the general support of the University of California Forest Products Laboratory as well as grant support to the University of California Berkeley Fire Research Group (NSF-Rann-S-22053, NFPCA-S-22584), University of California Berkeley Electron Microscopy Lab. (NSF-GB-38359) and the University of California, Davis Department of Botany (NSF-GB-29653). In addition we would also like to thank Dr. Arno P. Schniewind, University of California Forest Products Laboratory and Dr. R. Falk, University of California, Davis, Department of Botany     

The morphological variability of the bordered pit membranes in gymnosperms

Summary The membranes of bordered pits were investigated in 120 species of 47 genera of the gymnospermous families, using light and electron microscopic techniques. A great variability in the morphological structure of the pit membranes has been established. The differences in structure are pronounced and depend mainly on the genus involved.A classification of six morphological structure types is presented. They do not necessarily correspond with the chemical composition and the functional behaviour. The results on the variability of the pit membrane have shown the necessity of an extended definition for the torus.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. A. J. Stamm on the occasion of his 75 th birthday.Gratitude is expressed to Prof. Dr. R. W. Kennedy and Dr. R. W. Meyer, Forest Products Laboratory, Vancouver, B. C., Prof. R. D. Graham, Prof. Dr. D. Hermann and Prof. Dr. R. Krahmer, School of Forestry, Corvallis, Oregon, and Prof. Dr. V. La Marche, University of Arizona, Tucson, for their support in obtaining wood samples. Thanks are also due to Mrs. H. Berndt for her careful technical assistance.     

Determination and use of moisture diffusion coefficient to characterize drying of northern red oak (Quercus rubra)

Summary Diffusion analysis can be used to estimate the time required to dry lumber. However, more accurate calculations require additional information on the relationship between the diffusion coefficient as a function of moisture content and on the effects of temperature, equilibrium moisture content, board thickness, and air velocity on drying time and moisture gradients. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to determine the diffusion coefficient of northern red oak (Quercus rubra) as a function of moisture content and (2) to compare experimentally determined sorption times and moisture content gradients with those calculated by the diffusion model. The diffusion coefficient was found to increase approximately exponentially with moisture content over a range of 6 to 30 percent at 43°C. This relationship was similar in both adsorption and desorption tests. Experimental adsorption and desorption times and desorption moisture content gradients were compared with finite difference solutions to the diffusion equation. Practical uses of solutions to the diffusion equation are illustrated for kiln drying wood that has first been predried to below the fiber saturation point. Drying time is also related to variable kiln conditions and board thickness.This research was partially funded under the U. S. Department of Agriculture Competitive Grant programThe Forest Products Laboratory is maintained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time