About the Journal

This journal is covered by Thomson Reuters Materials Science Citation Index ExpandedTM,CAB Internacional Abstracting Services and Scopus.

Wood Research publishes original papers aimed at recent advances in all branches of wood science (biology, chemistry, wood physics and mechanics, mechanical and chemical processing etc.). Submission of the manuscript implies that it has not been published before and it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

e-ISSN 2729-8906
ISSN 1336-4561

WoodResearch in Numbers

70
Years of Publication
5717
Number of Papers
650
Number of Authors Origin

Latest Articles

Investigation of Gamma Radiation Shielding Properties of Acacia Mangium Wood from Sabah, Malaysia

Gamma radiation shielding properties of Acacia mangium wood (ages 3 – 15 years) were investigated at 662 keV (¹³⁷Cs). Mass attenuation coefficients, linear attenuation (µ), and half-thickness were measured; the attenuation properties were discussed include linear attenuation (µ) and mass attenuation (µ/ρ). Additionally, the paper will explore the feasibility of substituting traditional shielding materials, such as concrete and copper, with these tropical wood species for low-energy gamma-ray diagnostic applications. Two mathematical models have been developed to predict wood density based on variations in relaxation length and half-thickness values. The results indicate that the three-year-old Acacia mangium tree has the longest relaxation length at 83.33 cm and the lowest density at 0.43 g/cm³. In contrast, the 15-year-old tree has the shortest relaxation length of 28.56 cm and the highest density at 0.76 g/cm³. Furthermore, the results show that the 3-year-old Acacia mangium tree’s wood has the maximum half-thickness value (57.75 cm), while the fifteen-year-old tree’s wood has the lowest half-thickness value (about 19.85 cm). A good agreement (greater than 85% in most cases) was observed between the measured values and predicted ones. A strong linear correlation was observed between the measured density and the age of the tree (R² = 0.824), as well as between the estimated density and the age of Acacia mangium trees (R² = 0.952). Acacia mangium shows potential as a sustainable gamma shielding material for low-energy applications.

Identification of Fungal Organisms Present in Elements Considered Historical Heritage

In this study, the presence of xylophagous organisms in historical wood present in the temple of Santiago Apostol in Tupátaro, Michoacán, Mexico, was evaluated. Through a visual inspection of three different structural zones in damaged wood of the temple, sampling of various fungal isolates was performed, to be subsequently molecularly identified. Similarly, the temperature and humidity conditions of each site where the samples were taken were recorded, and the laccase and cellulase activities were evaluated for each isolate. The results showed the presence of 14 fungal organisms with well-differentiated morphological characteristics, present in structures such as doors, windows, floors, ceilings, columns, and lintels. Organisms such as Fusarium, Trichoderma, Penicillium, and Aspergillus were found. The temperature and humidity conditions in the temple were found to favor fungal growth in different areas of the structure. The fungi found and identified exhibit enzymatic characteristics to degrade and/or generate aesthetic damage in the colonized wood.

Analysis of the Static Equilibrium Equation of the Oval Mortise and Tenon Joint According to V.N. Mihajlov and V.D. Bekhtejarov

The study analyzes the deviations of the strength values ​​of the oval tenon-mortise joint obtained experimentally in relation to the values ​​obtained by calculating the torsional moment M3, based on the Mihajlov and Bekhtejarov formulas presented by Tkalec and Prekrat (2000). The strength was analyzed by measuring applied load and by calculating ultimate bending moment. In the paper, only the ratio of the tenon side dimensions l:b was varied (l-tenon length; b–tenon height). By analyzing the experimental results, it can be seen that the bending strength and stiffness of the joint increase as the tenon dimensions increase. The results have shown that joint stiffness depends first of all on the tenon width, and the effects of the tenon length are less significant. In the case when the tenon width is greater than its length the Saint–Venant coefficient cannot be applied in the form in which it is given in the analyzed literature. By applying the Saint–Venant coefficient in that form, the calculation results significantly deviate from the results obtained experimentally. The torsional moment equation should be used in its modified form only when the usual dimensions of tenon and mortise are applied.

Comparative Surface Roughness Evolution of 33 Japanese Hardwoods after Water and Fire-Retardant Treatments Using 3D Optical Profilometry

In this study, we assessed the surface roughness of 33 Japanese hardwood species by 3D optical profilometry (ISO 25178) and examined the influence of water and fire-retardant treatments. The surface roughness on cross, radial, and tangential sections was evaluated using the arithmetic mean height (Sa) parameter. Measurements were performed on untreated samples and repeated on the same spots after water treatment and NF300 fire-retardant treatment. Surface roughness varied widely across species and anatomical sections and tended to decrease with increasing wood density. The surface roughness increased with both treatments compared to the untreated wood. The maximum increase was on tangential surfaces after NF300 treatment, where the mean Sa value increased from 30.14 ± 17.05 μm to 42.05 ± 19.60 μm (39.5%). The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the untreated and NF300-treated tangential surfaces (p = 0.011).

The Study on the Frequency Response Characteristics of Wood Orthotropy Based on Stress Wave Propagation Direction and Distance

This study investigates the frequency response of Zelkova schneideriana and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica Litv. along longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions at different propagation distances. Sinusoidal signals from 20 to 200 kHz with 2 kHz intervals were applied using a piezoelectric device, and the responses were recorded by an acoustic emission sensor. Frequency response curves were obtained from the amplitude ratios of response to excitation signals. The results showed that attenuation in the radial direction was lower than that in the longitudinal and tangential directions between 20 and 100 kHz. Both species exhibited stable characteristic response bands around 35, 154, and 188 kHz, which showed good agreement with one-dimensional elastic wave theory, with a minimum relative error of 0.48%. Zelkova schneideriana also exhibited a characteristic frequency near 79 kHz and more stable high-frequency responses.

Bioremediation of Wood Treated with CCA-C, ACQ, and MCQ Wood Preservatives by Phanerochaete chrysosporium Fungal Strains

This study investigated the bioremediation of wood treated with copper–chromium– arsenic (CCA-C), alkaline copper quat (ACQ), and micronized copper quat (MCQ) using two Phanerochaete chrysosporium fungal strains. Wood flour samples were incubated in fungal liquid cultures over 1 to 10 days. Fungal treatments removed substantially more copper than distilled water controls across all preservative types. Lower preservative loadings yielded copper extraction rates exceeding 90–95% for ACQ and MCQ, whereas higher loadings reduced efficiency. The P. chrysosporium Me strain demonstrated superior performance during later remediation stages. These findings confirm that P. chrysosporium effectively mobilizes copper from soluble and micronized formulations, offering a viable strategy for detoxifying waste wood and enabling resource recovery.

Evaluation of Some Mechanical Properties of Metal-Mesh Reinforced Poplar Laminated Veneer Lumber

This study aimed to reinforce laminated veneer lumber boards produced with poplar veneers using metal mesh. The metal mesh and poplar veneers were bonded using polyurethane adhesive. A control group (group 1) and three experimental groups were formed. The metal mesh was placed inside the two outermost adhesive layers in group 2, inside the four outermost adhesive layers in group 3, and on the bottom surface (tensile zone) of the board in group 4. The modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity in bending, splitting strength, and adhesion strength of the produced boards were investigated. According to the data obtained, the modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity increased in the reinforced groups. Although the reinforcement in one group reached 20%, the other groups had smaller values. Therefore, the reinforcement effect of the metal mesh on the flexural properties remained limited. The splitting strength increased significantly. Compared to the control group, the splitting strength of group 3 increased by approximately 80%. The adhesion strength decreased slightly in the reinforced groups.

Influence of Traditional Plaster Layer on the Combustion Performance of Larch and Korean Pine Wood

This study investigated the effects of traditional plastering on the combustion behavior of timber used in historic structures. Larch and Korean pine specimens treated with the traditional one hemp fibre and five plaster layer technique were tested using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA). The plaster layer shortened the time to ignition and promoted fire propagation during the early combustion stage, while markedly reducing the peak heat release rate and toxic gas production and increasing the char yield of the wood specimens. These findings clarify the dual effect of traditional plastering on timber combustion and provide experimental evidence for assessing the fire performance of traditionally plastered components in historic timber buildings.

Variation of Growth Characteristics and Stress-Wave Velocity of the First Generation Manglietia glauca Families Planted in Indonesia

Growth characteristics, including stem diameter (D), tree height (H), and stem volume (V), and wood property stress-wave velocity (SWV), were measured in 100 families of 7-year-old first-generation Manglietia glauca trees planted in Indonesia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the variation in D, H, V, and SWV among the families and their heritability. An analysis of the correlations, principal components and selection index was also conducted. The presence of significant differences in all measured traits among the families indicate a genetic contribution to traits variation. Low to moderate narrow-sense heritability values were observed across all traits, showing that the genetic enhancement of growth and wood properties in M. glauca is achievable through selective breeding. Moderate to highly significant positive correlations were observed among the growth traits, highlighting their strong interrelationships. D and SWV showed a low significant positive correlation. H and V showed no significant correlation with SWV. Therefore, SWV should be included as selection criterion in M. glauca breeding. PCA and selection index are effectively for identified superior families of growth and strength traits, supporting their selection as candidates for future breeding programs.

Experimental Investigation of Load Redistribution in a Historic-Type Timber Roof Segment Under Progressive Tie-Beam Weakening

This study examines how progressive loss of tie-beam stiffness redistributes deformation demand and internal force within an experimentally verified historic timber roof segment. A three-frame laboratory model was evaluated by close-range photogrammetry, inductive displacement sensing, post-test bending tests, and finite-element modelling. The measurements revealed clear frame-to-frame stiffness asymmetry, a distinct pre-cut settlement phase under sustained load, and accelerated deformation once the residual tie-beam section was substantially reduced. A refined model using member-specific elastic parameters reproduced the global loading response more accurately than a uniform-stiffness model. The damaged zone could also be represented by an equivalent rotational spring, although the fitted spring values remained response-dependent. The results indicate that lathing acted as a temporary redundancy path after severe weakening and that a nearly hinged residual section was not mechanically equivalent to a fully severed member within the tested configuration.