The effect of heat and ammonia treatment on colour response of oak wood (Quercus robur) and comparison of some physical and mechanical properties

In this paper the effect of heat and ammonia treatment on the change in colour of oak wood (Quercus robur) and comparison of physical and mechanical properties were investigated. Wood specimens were made from heartwood and sapwood in dimensions 30×30×30 mm3. The specimens were subjected to heat treatment at 180ºC and 230ºC for 2 and 4 hours, others were treated by ammonia for 24 hours. After these processes, CIELAB colour, hardness, EMC, density and MOE of wood were tested in comparison with untreated samples. The results show that the heat treatment contributed to darkening of sapwood and heartwood and the total colour change increased up to 38.47 units (CIELAB) in the radial direction and 37.75 units (CIELAB) in the tangential direction. Previous research into ammonia treatment shows that the most significant changes were noticed after 1 day. The colour changes between sapwood and heartwood were more noticeable in ammonia treatment than in the case of heat treatment. All other observed properties were decreased in the case of heat treatment. Ammonia treatment does not have a significant influence on the other observed properties. The results proved that ammonia treatment is a modification that improves the decorative value but has a minimal effect on technologically relevant properties of solid wood. Nevertheless, the heat treatment can be used as comparable process for colour change of wood

Moisture absorption and dimensional stability of poplar wood impregnated with sucrose and sodium chloride

This paper deals with the effect of vacuum-pressure impregnation of Poplar wood (Populus alba) by aqueous solutions of sucrose and sodium chloride on its physical properties. Groups of samples with different concentrations of substances in the aqueous solution were compared within each other and also with a reference (non-impregnated) group. The specimens from all groups were tested for density, moisture absorption and dimensional stability. The obtained data were statistically analysed and compared each other. The most satisfying final properties were achieved in impregnation of sucrose with concentration of 6,25 g/100 ml H2O. The retention was 31 kg m-3 (WPG around 8 %). The values of ASE (anti-swelling efficiency) reached to 36 % and MEE (moisture exclusion efficiency) was reduced by 33 %

Microwave Radiation Effect on Axial Fluid Permeability in False Heartwood of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

This study evaluated the effect of microwave radiation on the fluid permeability and compression strength parallel to the grain of beech false heartwood. European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was selected, and samples of false heartwood with dimensions of 30×20×20 mm3 were used. The microwave treatment was carried out in a laboratory device at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The testing samples were divided into three groups (untreated, treated at 20-s intervals, and treated at 30-s intervals). The permeability was measured in the axial direction using distilled water. The coefficient of specific permeability was calculated using Darcy’s law. The results showed that the coefficient of specific permeability increased by up to 159% in comparison with untreated samples. The compression strength parallel to the grain decreased by up to 15%

Determination of density profiles of unevenly compressed wood of Po­pu­lus tremula using the X – RAY DENSE – LAB laboratory device

The paper deals with the measuring of the density profile of unevenly pressed wood of European aspen (Populus tremula L.). The main aim of the work is to examine in an experimental way the possibilities of using the X – RAY DENSE – LAB laboratory equipment designed for the determination of density profiles of agglomerated and plied large-area materials. The work uses the X – RAY DENSE – LAB equipment to determine the density profile of the cross-section of unevenly pressed aspen wood, plasticized hydrothermically, without the presence of chemical substances. The work also presents calculations of the level of compression/densification in dependence on the density and it describes the factors that can influence the density profile of compressed/densified wood; at the same time, it presents the possible ways to determine the density profile in the cross-section. Further, it includes the creation of the methodology for sample preparation so that the results do not get distorted during measuring. It describes the preparation of sample pieces, the orientation of the anatomic structure, the methodology of pressing, air conditioning, sample preparation, their measuring and analysis. The paper also describes the theory and the principles of measuring with use of X – RAY DENSE – LAB and its calibration. The paper analyses the obtained results of density profiles and searches for and describes the causes of the uneven distribution of the density in the cross-section. It concludes by summarizing the results and recommending the procedure for future measuring

Finite element model of bamboo culm (Phyllostachys sp.) and its comparison to two experimental tests

The main goal of the work was to build up a general parametric finite-element model of a bamboo culm in ANSYS computational system. Subsequently the model was compared to a experimental measurements of chosen mechanical properties – three point bending test and brasil test. A pa­ra­me­ter being compared was a force, which is necessary to exert to deform a sample on given strain. In this work two parametric models were created. First one is including dividing barrier – diaphragm. A mesh of the culm wall is mapped and is divided into three layers with different orthotropic material models in cylindrical coordinate system with respect to the culm axis. By contrast the barrier – diaphragm – is represented by free mesh with isotropic material model. Both FE models are fully parametric and three-dimensional. Hence they are very well utilizable for both further research of the bamboo itself and constructions from it

Application of Microwave Heating for Acetylation of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Poplar (Populus hybrids) Wood

Microwave and conventional acetylation of wood was carried out to determine its efficacy on the material properties. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and poplar (Populus hybrids) samples with dimensions 14 mm × 14 mm × 14 mm were impregnated using acetic anhydride, and chemical reactions were initiated by microwave and conventional heating. The microwave acetylation process was carried out using laboratory equipment at a frequency of 2.45 GHz in several testing modes to reduce time of the reaction. The uptake of substance, equilibrium moisture content, wood swelling, and dimensional stability were determined in order to evaluate the efficacy and degree of acetylation. Both microwave and conventional heating positively affected the selected material properties. The results showed that no significant differences were found between microwave and conventional heating; therefore, microwave heating can be used as a valid replacement in the acetylation process. Microwave power of 2 kW and 0.1 m∙min-1 conveyor speed were the optimum conditions for microwave acetylation. These process parameters resulted in 39.4% ASE T and 35.2% ASE R for beech and 38.0% ASE T and 16.3% ASE R for poplar samples. This work provides insight into the details of wood acetylation using microwave heating

Medieval horse stable; the results of multi proxy interdisciplinary research

A multi proxy approach was applied in the reconstruction of the architecture of Medieval horse stable architecture, the maintenance practices associated with that structure as well as horse alimentation at the beginning of 13 century in Central Europe. Finally, an interpretation of the local vegetation structure along Morava River, Czech Republic is presented. The investigated stable experienced two construction phases. The infill was well preserved and its composition reflects maintenance practices. The uppermost part of the infill was composed of fresh stabling, which accumulated within a few months at the end of summer. Horses from different backgrounds were kept in the stable and this is reflected in the results of isotope analyses. Horses were fed meadow grasses as well as woody vegetation, millet, oat, and less commonly hemp, wheat and rye. Three possible explanations of stable usage are suggested. The stable was probably used on a temporary basis for horses of workers employed at the castle, courier horses and horses used in battle

Historical landscape of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Settlement from prehistoric to late medieval times

The exhibition catalogue is one of the important possibilities how make public the facts about historical landscape of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the preservation of the archaeological monuments, stay of the knowledge and possibilities of their documentation. The good knowledge increases the chances of preservation of unique information’s about our own past in the landscape. Landscape currently is the most significant witness of historical and cultural changes in our country. And as regards the state of preservation of prehistoric archaeological monuments, landscape even is the only witness. One of extraordinary regions in this regard is the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. It always was and still is a peripheral region, which is not really significantly affected by the ongoing destruction of historical cultural landscape. In chapters of the exhibition catalogue are introduced the issues of research. The catalogue of artefacts documenting the material culture for all investigated periods is published at the end

Dating of wood samples excavated within a Medieval bailey in Veselí nad Moravou.

<p>Dating of wood samples excavated within a Medieval bailey in Veselí nad Moravou.</p