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Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and...
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Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 September 2023) | Viewed by 11586

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Alain Cloutier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wood and Forest Sciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: wood-based composites; wood anatomy; wood physical and mechanical properties

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of timber and wood-based composites in building construction is now seen as a way to mitigate carbon emissions. This purpose involves the development of innovative building construction systems and materials which favor the reduction in carbon emissions and the consumption of natural resources for the fabrication of the materials, during the construction of the building, and both during and after its time in service. Buildings must provide safe, healthy and comfortable environments for their users. Therefore, building structure design, fire resistance, durability, low emissions, and the acoustic and hygrothermal performance of the materials used are becoming key factors in the development of innovative buildings. Also, the materials used should be recyclable upon the end of the building’s service life.

This Special Issue will provide a platform to exchange ideas on the innovative use of timber and wood-based composites for building construction, with an emphasis on the applications of new structural timber design, the development of new wood-based composites for exterior and interior use, and the performance of the buildings in various aspects, including safety, comfort and sustainability.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative timber structure design;
  • Development and application of structural and non-structural wood-based composite materials with new attributes including low emissions, fire resistance and hygrothermal performance;
  • Hygrothermal performance of wood-based materials and buildings;
  • Acoustic performance of wood-based materials and buildings;
  • Durability of wood-based materials and buildings;
  • Recycling of building materials.

Prof. Dr. Alain Cloutier
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • timber structure
  • wood-based composites
  • building construction
  • hygrothermal performance
  • acoustic performance
  • fire resistance
  • durability
  • sustainability

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 9120 KiB  
Article
Modulating the Acoustic Vibration Performance of Wood by Introducing a Periodic Annular Groove Structure
by Liang Zhang, Lan He, Yuwei Liang, Juncheng Zhang, Haiyang Zhang, Jing Zhou, Haotian Cui, Mingrui Li, Yuanyuan Miao and Zhenbo Liu
Forests 2023, 14(12), 2360; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122360 - 30 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1499
Abstract
The acoustic vibration performance of wood affects the quality of many musical instruments, and the variability of wood causes obvious differences between individual timber samples. To mitigate the variations among the individual timber samples intended for musical instruments, in this study, we combined [...] Read more.
The acoustic vibration performance of wood affects the quality of many musical instruments, and the variability of wood causes obvious differences between individual timber samples. To mitigate the variations among the individual timber samples intended for musical instruments, in this study, we combined finite element simulation with experimental testing to investigate the effect of the periodic annular groove structure on the comprehensive acoustic vibration characteristics of wood. The results revealed that there are discernible correlations between the structural parameters of the periodic annular groove and the key acoustic parameters of wood, including the resonant frequency, equivalent dynamic modulus of elasticity, equivalent specific dynamic modulus of elasticity, equivalent acoustic radiation quality constant, and equivalent acoustic impedance. These relationships can be used to fine-tune the overall acoustic vibration performance of wood and harmonize the acoustic vibration characteristics among different timber specimens. The effects of the periodic annular groove structure on the five acoustic vibration parameters obtained through finite element simulations exhibited minimal differences to the corresponding results from experimental tests. Furthermore, there was a remarkably strong correlation between the outcomes of the finite element simulations and the experimental test results, with the coefficient of determination exceeding 0.99. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability)
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15 pages, 4794 KiB  
Article
The Role Played by the Rake Angle of a Strander-Canter When Processing Jack Pine Logs
by Irsan Alipraja, Roger E. Hernández and Ahmed Koubaa
Forests 2023, 14(11), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14112182 - 2 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1283
Abstract
The optimization of the machining parameters of strander-canting is the best way to obtain the optimum strand size, a better quality of the cant surface, and lower energy consumption. The effect of the rake angle on the performance of a strander-canter when processing [...] Read more.
The optimization of the machining parameters of strander-canting is the best way to obtain the optimum strand size, a better quality of the cant surface, and lower energy consumption. The effect of the rake angle on the performance of a strander-canter when processing jack pine logs was evaluated. Thirty-nine logs were cut with three rake angles (59°, 64°, and 69°). The counter-knife angle used in this study was 20° for frozen logs and 35° for unfrozen logs. The cutting speed and width were fixed at 25 m/s and 20 mm, respectively. The results showed that the rake angle affected the strand width, strand proportion, and energy requirements to transform the logs under frozen conditions. The rake angle of 64° produced a higher proportion and larger strands with less energy consumption than the rake angle of 59°. However, using a rake angle of 64° produced poorer surface quality. On the other hand, the effect of the rake angle on the processing of unfrozen logs was only noticeable when the rake angle changed to 69°. The proportion of pin chips increased, and the surface quality became poorer as the rake angle changed from 59° to 69°. The rake angle did not affect energy consumption when transforming the logs under unfrozen conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability)
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15 pages, 3037 KiB  
Article
Impregnation of Medium-Density Fiberboard Residues with Phase Change Materials for Efficient Thermal Energy Storage
by Gustavo E. Rodríguez, Cecilia Bustos Ávila, Romina Romero and Alain Cloutier
Forests 2023, 14(11), 2175; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14112175 - 1 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2435
Abstract
The wood-based panel industry generates a significant amount of solid residues in its production activities, including medium-density fiberboard (MDF) molding manufacturing. These residues consist of fine fibers measuring between 0.15 mm and 1.19 mm in length. A large proportion of them currently needs [...] Read more.
The wood-based panel industry generates a significant amount of solid residues in its production activities, including medium-density fiberboard (MDF) molding manufacturing. These residues consist of fine fibers measuring between 0.15 mm and 1.19 mm in length. A large proportion of them currently needs to be utilized, mainly due to the problem of excessive accumulation. They can be reused as raw material for manufacturing new products by adopting a circular economy approach. Their thermal properties can also be enhanced by impregnating them with phase change materials (PCMs). This research aims to develop a process for impregnating MDF panel residues (R) with PCMs to obtain shape-stabilized compounds capable of storing thermal energy. Three different commercially available PCMs were used. They were incorporated in the MDF residues by vacuum impregnation. The morphology, chemical structure, thermal stability, and phase change properties of the compounds obtained were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The SEM images indicated the PCM filled the empty spaces in the porous surface of the residue fibers to form shape-stabilized compounds. The FTIR spectrometry results indicated the compounds still exhibited characteristic peaks corresponding to both the MDF residues and the PCMs. No chemical reaction was observed between the two components. Moreover, according to the TGA results, the compounds produced exhibit high thermal stability. The R+PCM1 compound had the highest latent heat capacity of all the compounds developed in this study, reaching a maximum of 57.8 J⋅g−1, and a phase change temperature comparable to that of PCM1. This better thermal performance could be attributed to the compounds having a higher encapsulation ratio (31.4%) than the other compounds developed. Furthermore, the R+PCM1 compound had an absorption capacity of 142.8%. This study, therefore, unveiled a promising alternative for storing thermal energy and valorizing solid MDF residues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability)
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21 pages, 4387 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Moisture Performance of Tall Wood Building Envelope under Climate Change in Different Canadian Climatic Regions
by Maurice Defo, Lin Wang, Michael A. Lacasse and Travis V. Moore
Forests 2023, 14(4), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040718 - 31 Mar 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1962
Abstract
A study was realized to assess the effects of historical and projected future climates on the hygrothermal performance of cross-laminated timber wall assemblies in 12 Canadian cities belonging to several climate regions and zones and for two cladding and ventilation types. Water ingress [...] Read more.
A study was realized to assess the effects of historical and projected future climates on the hygrothermal performance of cross-laminated timber wall assemblies in 12 Canadian cities belonging to several climate regions and zones and for two cladding and ventilation types. Water ingress in the wall assembly was supposed to be 1% wind-driven rain (WDR), and the airflow rate in the drainage cavity was calculated using local climate data. The hygrothermal simulation results showed that under the assumption of no deficiencies allowing wind-driven rain to enter into the wall (perfect wall), there is no risk of mold growth in the future for both claddings, either vented or ventilated. Under the assumption of high moisture loads (1% WDR), the mold growth risk could increase significantly in all climate regions and cities considered. However, in those cities located in the Cordillera and Prairie regions, the increase was not found to be problematic as the maximum mold growth remained under the acceptable level, whereas for cities located in coastal and southeastern regions, the increase in mold growth risk could be considerable. The impacts of cladding and ventilation types on the relative performance of the walls varied with city location. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability)
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13 pages, 2736 KiB  
Article
Modification Model of Glued-In Rods Splice Connection Using Statistical Analysis for Mengkulang Glulam Timber
by Tengku Anita Raja Hussin, Rohana Hassan, Buan Anshari, Azman Md Nor and S. M. Sapuan
Forests 2023, 14(3), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030491 - 28 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1631
Abstract
The statistical study of the glued-in rod splice connection for Mengkulang glulam timber is presented in this research. This type of connection is used in many applications, such as bridge construction and wide hall, besides becoming increasingly popular due to its cost-effectiveness and [...] Read more.
The statistical study of the glued-in rod splice connection for Mengkulang glulam timber is presented in this research. This type of connection is used in many applications, such as bridge construction and wide hall, besides becoming increasingly popular due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. Using statistical analysis to evaluate the performance of glued-in rod splice connections is relatively new. Statistical analysis can assess the connection’s performance by examining the glued-in rod splice connection’s strength, stiffness, and durability. Glued-in rods have several advantages over traditional mechanical connections generally used in beam design, such as higher stiffness, more uniform stress distribution, fewer rod corrosion problems and better appearance. Due to this limitation, the standard design for glued-in rods using glulam is the estimated extrapolation for solid timber guidelines. The main objectives of this research were to develop the pull-out model and validate the effectiveness of the model equation for glued-in rods parallel (GRPS0°) and perpendicular (GRPS90°) to the grain directions using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). The variables examined were the number of rods, diameter, length, spacing, the kind of glue utilised, and the number of adhesive layers. In conclusion, the model development clearly shows that most of the parameters achieved the R2 more than 80% accurate for both parallel (GRPS0°) and perpendicular (GRPS90°) to the grain directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability)
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19 pages, 5732 KiB  
Article
Full Scale Evaluation of GFRP Confined Softwood after Long-Term Exposure to High Humidity Environment
by Ahmed D. Almutairi, Yu Bai, Xiao-Ling Zhao and Wahid Ferdous
Forests 2023, 14(2), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020343 - 9 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1815
Abstract
Plantation softwood timber poles are associated with low natural durability, and it is also not clear what the effects of the high humidity environment on the long-term performance of composite action integrity of such a system. This paper presents a durability study for [...] Read more.
Plantation softwood timber poles are associated with low natural durability, and it is also not clear what the effects of the high humidity environment on the long-term performance of composite action integrity of such a system. This paper presents a durability study for the proposed composite poles using (GFRP) glass fiber-reinforced polymer as a confinement system on wooden poles sourced from plantation softwood timber. Radiata pine poles of 6 m length were wrapped with multiple layers of 0°/90° woven roving biaxial E-glass fiber sheets through a wet layup process as confinement. The prepared GFRP softwood poles were then subjected to high humidity environmental conditions of up to 95 ± 2% relative humidity and 22 ± 2 °C temperature for a period of 30 months. Various lengths of confinement were considered in this study ranging from 0% to 70% of the span length. The poles had a span length of 5.4 m and were tested using a three-point bending test. Results showed that the proposed confinement system of GFRP-softwood provided a satisfactory long-term performance and the high humidity environment did not greatly affect the improvement in the mechanical performance that the GFRP system provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Use of Timber and Wood-Based Composites: Applications, Design and Sustainability)
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