Thinned, small larch logs have small diameters and no value-added final use, except as wood chips, pallets, or fuel wood, which are products with very low economic value; however, their mechanical strength is suitable for structural applications. In this study, small larch logs were sawed, dried, and cut into square timbers (with a 90 mm × 90 mm cross section) that were laterally glued to form core panels used to manufacture cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall panels. The surface and back of these core panels were covered with 12-mm-thick structural plywood panels, used as cross bands to obtain three-ply CLT wall panels. This attachment procedure was conducted in two different ways: gluing and pressing (CGCLT) or gluing and nailing (NGCLT). The size of the as-manufactured CLT panels was 1,220 mm × 2,440 mm, the same as that of the plywood panels. The final wall panels were tested under lateral shear force in accordance with KS F 2154. As the lateral load resistance test required 2,440 mm × 2,440 mm specimens, two CLT wall panels had to be attached in parallel. In addition, the final CLT panels had tongued and grooved edges to allow parallel joints between adjacent pieces. For comparison, conventional light-frame timber shear walls and midply wall systems were also tested under the same conditions. Shear walls with edge nail spacing of 150 mm and 100 mm, the midply wall system, and the fabricated CGCLT and NGCLT wall panels exhibited maximum lateral resistances of 6.1 kN/m (100%), 9.7 kN/m (158%), 16.9 kN/m (274%), 29.6 kN/m (482%), and 35.8 kN/m (582%), respectively.

Radial and tangential water diffusion in Eucalyptus globulus wood was investigated using three mature trees from a forest in Khemis Sahel (North Morocco). Absorption and desorption kinetics experiments were conducted at ambient temperature (25 °C) and 30 °C, respectively, and a relative humidity of 60%. The diffusion coefficients in the two directions were determined under imposed hygrothermal conditions; they were greater in the radial direction for the absorption as well as desorption processes. Convective drying under load, preceded by reconditioning and followed up by balancing, revealed the drying conditions that corresponded to the appropriate drying schedules for E. globulus wood. This was verified by measuring the cracks and bowsbefore and after drying of boards.

A common problem with fast-growing hardwoods is dimensional instability that limits use of their wood. In this study, we investigated the effects of pre-drying methods, temperatures, and heating duration on the specific gravity, water absorption, and dimensional stability of three tropical fast-growing hardwoods, jabon (Neolamarckia cadamba Roxb.), sengon (Falcataria moluccana Miq.), and mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.). Wood samples were pre-dried by two methods (fan and oven at 40 °C), and heat treatments were performed at three temperatures (120, 150, and 180 °C) for two different time periods (2 and 6 hours). The specific gravity, water absorption, dimensional stability, and structural changes of the samples were evaluated. The results revealed that heat treatments slightly reduced the specific gravity of all three wood species. In addition, the heat treatments reduced water absorption and significantly improved dimensional stability of the samples. Oven pre-drying followed by heat treatment at 180 °C for 6 hours resulted in good physical improvement of jabon and sengon wood. Fan pre-drying followed by heat treatment at 180 °C for 2 hours improved the physical properties of mangium wood. The heat treatment shows a promising technique for improving the physical characteristic of fast growing hardwoods.

This work examined effects of the synthesis method and melamine content of melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins on the bond-line features (i.e. resin penetration and bond-line thickness) in plywood. Two synthesis methods (MUF-A and MUF-B) and three melamine contents (5, 10, and 20%) were employed to prepare MUF resins. The MUF-A resins at three melamine contents were prepared by a simultaneous reaction of melamine, urea, and formaldehyde, while the MFU-B resins were prepared by reacting melamine at the same levels with formaldehyde followed by urea. The results showed that higher melamine content increased the viscosity of MUF-A and MUF-B resins. The resin penetration of MUF-A resins decreased by 48% while those of MUF-B resins increased by 16% at 20% melamine content. As a result, the MUF-A resins had greater bond-line thickness than those of MUF-B resins as the melamine content increased. The MUF-B resins resulted in thinner bond-line and greater resin penetration compared to those of MUF-A resins. The results suggested that MUF-B resins prepared with 20% melamine content had a proper combination of resin penetration and bond-line thickness that could produce plywood panel with a better adhesion performance.

This study aimed to determine the antimalarial effect of the Strychnos ligustrina (SLW) wood extracts and to analyze its phytochemicals. The SLW powder samples were macerated with 100% ethanol (E100), 75% ethanol (E75), 50% ethanol (E50), 25% ethanol (E25), and aqueous (A100). The extracts were analyzed by LCMS/MS, and its in-vitro antimalarial activity was tested with Plasmodium falciparum. The results showed that the extract yields of E100, E75, E50, E25, and A100 were 4.3, 5.2, 5.3, 4.7, and 3.6%, respectively. The antimalarial activities of the A100, E25, E50, and E75 extracts were classified as active with IC50 values of 38.6, 42.6, 42.9, and 43.7 μg/mL, respectively. But, the antimalarial activity of the E100 extract was classified as slightly active with IC50 values of 87.4 μg/mL. The dominant compounds contained in the extracts of A100, E25, E50, E75, and E100 was the alkaloid compound, namely brucine with relative concentrations of 24.96, 24.55, 21.33, 11.79, and 11.62%, respectively.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully isolated from oil palm fronds (OPFs) using different concentrations of ammonium persulfate (APS), and their characteristics were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). APS oxidation effectively isolated CNCs with rod-like morphology in nanometer scale. The dimensions of the CNCs decreased with increasing APS concentration. FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that all the CNCs showed crystals in the form of cellulose I without crystal transformation occurring during APS treatment. The relative crystallinity of the CNCs increased with increasing APS concentration, whereas their thermal stability decreased. An APS concentration of 2 M was found to be optimal for isolating the CNCs.

On account of the lack of education of Brazilian worker, this paper analyzed the characteristics of those professionals working in the production sector of timber houses. A sectoral survey was carried out with respective entrepreneurs to investigate the available professionals (career and contract types), evaluate the demands of skilled workers, and indicate solutions to improve the quality of labor qualification. Similarly, over 65% of sampled producers presented both direct-hired and outsourced workforce. For such contract ways, Civil Engineers and Architects were the main careers. Carpenters, Civil Engineers and Architects experienced on timber were the main sectoral demands. Timber Engineers have good potentials of service for this sector. The creation of courses on timber products can emerge as a key alternative to train people.

This study aimed to investigate the anatomical structure and fiber quality of four lesser-used wood species namely Benuang (O. sumatrana), Duabanga (D. moluccana), Pisang Merah (H. hellwigii), and Terap (A. odoratissimus). This study evaluated its suitability for raw material in pulp and paper manufacturing. The anatomical structure was observed macro- and microscopically. Macroscopic structures were observed directly to the wood samples, while microscopic characteristics were observed through microtome specimens. Fiber dimension was measured through macerated specimens and fiber quality was analyzed following the Rachman and Siagian's method. Results showed that these four timber species have similarity in the indistinct growth ring, diffuse porous in a radial pattern, rounded solitary vessel outline, 1 to 3 cells of ray width, deposits within the rays, fiber length, and cell wall thickness. Differences were found on vessel diameter, vessel grouping, vessel frequency, tyloses existence, type of axial parenchyma, and ray height. Based on fiber length and its derived values, the wood fibers of all species studied are suitable for pulp and paper manufacturing. They belong to the II quality class. The produced pulp and paper would have good quality, especially in tensile, folding, and tear strength. To promote their utilization, silviculture aspect of these four species has to be well understood.