Source: OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
WOOD UTILIZATION RESEARCH CENTER
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
SPECIAL GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0214079
Grant No.
2008-34158-19302
Project No.
OREZ-FP-400-U-08
Proposal No.
2008-03506
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
BB
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2008
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2011
Grant Year
2008
Project Director
McLain, T. T.
Recipient Organization
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
CORVALLIS,OR 97331
Performing Department
WOOD SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Non Technical Summary
The demand for wood products in the United States, and the world, continues to rise with increasing population. High raw material and labor costs, especially in the western US, coupled with increased foreign importation of finished products is challenging the viability of American wood products industry, especially in rural areas of the western US. To be globally competitive and maintain American jobs requires research-based innovation targeting new products and environmentally acceptable processes to harvest, transport, and process raw materials. New business practices, science and technology are required to stimulate the innovation in the domestic industry that will enable competitiveness. The primary purpose of the proposed projects is to develop the science, technology, engineering and business management practices that will meet those needs with a specific focus on western species and wood utilization problems.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
4020650202010%
4025340202010%
4047210202020%
5110650200010%
5110650201010%
5110650202010%
5115320202010%
6026230310010%
6036230310010%
Knowledge Area
602 - Business Management, Finance, and Taxation; 404 - Instrumentation and Control Systems; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment; 511 - New and Improved Non-Food Products and Processes; 603 - Market Economics;

Subject Of Investigation
5340 - Nonfarm structures and related facilities; 0650 - Wood and wood products; 7210 - Remote sensing equipment and technology; 5320 - Houses (human residences), furniture, household equipment, non-textile furnishings; 6230 - Marketing systems and sectors thereof;

Field Of Science
3100 - Management; 2020 - Engineering; 2010 - Physics; 2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
The overall objective of this work is to develop the science, technology, management approaches, and business practices that will enhance the domestic and global competitiveness of the US wood products industry, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Specific sub-objectives are: 1) improve the performance of wood frame shear walls under seismic loads by preventing or reducing cracking of gypsum wall board; 2) assess level and impact of innovativeness on social responsibility of global forest products businesses; 3) determine the time, temperature, and moisture content affects on the transverse compression modulus of wood; 4) assess relevance of 'family business' origin labels on consumer preference; 5) determine potential for substituting bio-based composites for current materials used to manufacture highway products; 6) determine feasibility of oligomeric lactic acid as a coupling agent in a specific bio-composite materials; 7) determine impacts of bark removal on log volume and wood quality; 8) explore use of LiDAR to optimize transportation networks for biomass removal; 9)assess the impact of the properties of road aggregate on wood transportation costs; 10) analyze potential use of acoustic-based field segregation of logs; 11) evaluate alternate sediment-reducing road maintenance practices on wood transportation costs. Expected outputs include new fundamental and applied knowledge that will be communicated in peer-reviewed literature and through presentations at appropriate science and practitioner meetings; students graduated with wood science and forest engineering skills and knowledge.
Project Methods
Various methods and approaches will be used with the different sub-projects. These include: 1) experimental testing of candidate shear walls using different connection strategies; 2) surveys of companies and interviews of key personnel, secondary data collection using electronic sources; 3) laboratory hygro-mechanical treatment and physical evaluation of candidate samples; 4) direct survey of consumers and mail survey of secondary processing companies; 5) market survey for candidate products, experimental evaluation of the durability of alternatives; 6) synthesis of candidate molecules, lab production of composites, lab evaluation of properties; 7) field evaluation of alternative procedures and acoustic testing of candidate logs; 8)field measurement of LIDAR-evaluated forest characteristics, and comparison; 9) rock sampling and lab tests, field trials and analysis of alternatives; 10) field evaluation of measurement technique, new and existing data analysis; 11) analysis of existing flow data, engineering and cost analysis of best alternatives.

Progress 08/01/08 to 07/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) All wall systems using prescribed design criteria were constructed and tested to failure. Results were compared to current design expectations and unexpected failure mechanisms identified. 2) A survey of executives in the top 100 global forest, paper & packaging industry companies was developed, pretested and administered in four languages; results disseminated in MS thesis, journal articles and research brief. 3) Project helped create a new Green Building Materials Lab at OSU and to leverage over $500k of additional research; nine students benefited in one way or another. Numerous presentations of results were made. 4) Definitive limits and opportunities for new business via marketing by origin of wood were identified. Study results have been disseminated widely. 5) Three highway products were studied for potential substitution by wood plastic composites. Guidelines for assessment of applications and materials regarding their suitability for replacement or partial substitution were compiled and technical barriers identified. Numerous presentations about this opportunity have been made and five journal publications are underway. 6) Two soy-based adhesives (soy flour + a polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE), and soy flour + polyethylenimine+maleic anhydride) were investigated with the developed new method for making particleboard panels. Results are published and presented to science audiences. A new method of spraying curing agent was developed. 7) A database of seasonal bark loos on 600 stems was created and results analyzed. Conclusions distributed through two journal articles and workshops for industry personnel. 8) Eleven spatial databases representing over 8,000 trees and downed woody debris locations spanning a range of silvicultural treatments were created. Analysis completed of the accuracy of GPS measurements of tree locations for two stands representing moderate and extreme slopes. Individual ground truth elevation points were compared to discrete elevations acquired using LiDAR. Results have been submitted for publication. 9) Results show that there is a significant variation among the different rock type tested. Some of the aggregate describe as marginal performed bettered than the ones rated as good by road managers. Results disseminated at regional workshops for industry personnel. 10) Field work, laboratory work, and analyses were completed for the five stands felled and measured; data were analyzed; student thesis competed and results are being disseminated via journal articles; 11) Sediment yield from road segments was sampled accounting for spatial and temporal variability. Sediment rating curves were developed between sediment yield and total storm discharge. The total amount of sediment that came from the road segments directly connected to the stream system is smaller than the error term associated with calculating total annual sediment at the mouth of the watershed. PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Boston, Assoc. Prof., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Bodie Dowding, Graduate Research Asst., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Curtis Edson, Graduate Research Asst., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; S.I. Goodall, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Sunny Grover, Graduate Research Asst., College of Business, Oregon State Univ.; Rakesh Gupta, Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Cheri Hahn, Graduate Research Asst., College of Business, Oregon State Univ.; Xiaouu Han, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Eric Hansen, Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Joseph Jenkins, Graduate Research Asst. , College of Business, Oregon State Univ.; Frederick Kamke, Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Mike Karas, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Christopher Knowles, Asst. Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Andreja Kutnar, Post-Doctoral Research Assoc.; Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Barbara Lachenbruch, Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Scott Leavengood, Assoc. Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Kaichang Li, Prof., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Nathalie Macias, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Thomas Maness, Prof. and Dept. Head, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Thomas McLain, Prof. and Dept. Head, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Matthew Meadows, Graduate Research Asst., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Alex Mench, Undergraduate, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; R.D. Mosier, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Scienc and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Glen Murphy, Prof., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Lech Muszynski, Associate Professor, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Duc Nguyen, Graduate Research Asst., College of Business, Oregon State Univ.; Steve Pilkerton, Faculty Research Assistant, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Marvin Pyles, Prof., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Laui Rautkari, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Matthew Schwarzkopf, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; John Sessions, Prof., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Arne Skaugset, Assoc. Prof., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Christopher Surfleet, Research Assoc., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Steven Tesch, Prof., Forest Enginerring, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Josef Weissensteiner, Graduate Research Asst., Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Michael Wing, Assistant Prof., Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ. TARGET AUDIENCES: Composite product manufacturers, silviculturalists, wood scientists, business executives, researchers, forest biometricians, forest land managers, forest engineers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Subproject 4: the target audience for the data collection was changed because several of the industrial consumer groups identified in the proposal did not have enough members to provide statistically valid data. Data were collected from architects, contractors, and builders.

Impacts
1) Comparison of test results with expected behavior resulted in a series of recommendations for change in structural design practice and/or validation of current specifications. Proposed changes to wall designs can result in improved structural efficiency with little extra cost. 2) The most implemented CSR activities were found to occur with larger companies. The study found very few regional differences in implementation claims between Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America. CSR activities are becoming more important to business success globally. 3) Optimal operating parameters that significantly improve the dimensional stabilization of hybrid poplar and Douglas-fir were discovered. A business plan for use of VTC material in flooring was developed. Study results leveraged over $500k of additional work. 4) It is unlike that a premium can be obtained by marketing wood as from family forests, but that strategy may open new opportunities for Oregon market niches. 5) Results showed that biomass from forest thinnings can be used in WPC's without loss of properties and durability. Manufacturers and Oregon DOT were made aware of market potential for the studied products and a future phase of work identified. 6) Several novel curing agents were developed from renewable glycerol and have been evaluated as curing agents with soy flour for making plywood. The successful development of new curing agents from glycerol allows the soy flour/curing agent adhesive to be 100% based on renewable materials. 7) Bark loss was found to be species, time and equipment dependent; visual estimates were accurate within reason enabling cost-effective assessments. 8) For study forest conditions, differential correction using code is likely to have better accuracy results than using carrier correction. GPS horizontal position accuracy is degraded by forest canopy. 9) Demonstrable potential to see a reduction in rock used on forest roads by mangers considering road aggregate properties. 10) Acoustic velocity data in a transverse manner (from one side of the log to the other) using time of flight equipment was not as reliable or accurate as gathering data in a longitudinal manner using resonance based equipment. Differences in profiles between stands could require development of stand-specific calibration procedures that may limit applications. 11) The sediment yield data from the individual road segments shows that it should be possible to be more selective in the approach to the environmental upgrade of forest roads.

Publications

  • Karas, M. and L. Muszynski. 2011. Sustainable bio-composites for highway infrastructure: Feasibility of material substitution in existing products. Bioresources. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Karas, M. and L. Muszynski. 2010. Sustainable bio-composites for highway infrastructure: Feasibility of material substitution in existing products. ECOWOOD 2010, 4th International Conference & Exhibition on Environmentally-Compatible Forest Products, September 8-10, Oporto, Portugal. (In Press).
  • Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2010. Densified wood for green composites. p. 197-204 In: Green Composites: Properties, Design and Life Cycle Assessment. F. Willems and P. Moens, eds. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY.
  • Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2010. Densified wood for green composites. In: Proc., 4th International Conference on Environmentally-Compatiable Forest Products, September 8-9, Porto, Portugal. (In Press).
  • Bai, W., J. Holberry and K. Li. 2009. A technique for production of nanocrystalline cellulose with a narrow size distribution. Cellulose 16:455-465.
  • Bai, W. and K. Li. 2009. Partial replacement of silica with microcrystalline cellulose in rubber composites. Composites: Part A 1597-1605.
  • Craig, J., C. Dibrell and E. Hansen. 2011. Natural environment, market orientation and firm innovativeness: An organizational life cyle perspective. Journal of Small Business Management. (In Press).
  • Dibrell, C., J. Craig and E. Hansen. 2011. The effect of managerial attitudes toward the natural environment on market orientation and innovation relationships. Journal of Business Research 64:401-407.
  • Edson, C. 2011. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR): What we can and cannot see in the forest for the trees. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. 278 pp.
  • Edson, C. and M.G. Wing. 2011. Tree location measurement accuracy with a mapping-grade GPS receiver under forest canopy. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Goodall, S.I. and R. Gupta. 2010. Optimizing the performance of gypsum wall board in wood frame shear walls. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities. (In Press).
  • Gu, K. and K. Li. 2011. Preparation and evaluation of particleboard with a soy flour-polyethylenimine-maleic anhydride adhesive. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 88:673-679.
  • Han, X. and E. Hansen. 2011. Are more innovative companies more likely to embrace CSR Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. Forest Business Solutions 9(1):1-2.
  • Kamke, F.A. and A. Kutnar. 2011. Influence of stress level on compression deformation of wood in 170oC transient steam conditions. Wood Materials Sci. Engineering. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Kamke, F.A. and A. Kutnar. 2011. Transverse compression behavior of wood in saturated steam at 150-170oC. Wood and Fiber Sci. 42(3):377-387.
  • Kamke, F.A. and V.M. Rathi. 2010. Apparatus for viscoelastic thermal compression of wood. Eur. J. Wood Prod. Published online June 24, 2010; DOI 10.1007/s00107-010-0461-7.
  • Karas, M. 2010. Sustainable Bio-Composites for West Coast Highways. M.S. Thesis. Materials Science and Wood Science Engineering Departments, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. 176 pp.
  • Karas, M. and L. Muszynski. 2010. Utilization of low-grade woody biomass in highway related products: Outline of a viability assessment method. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Biocomposites: Transition to Green Material, May 2-4, Toronto, Canada. (In Press).
  • Kutnar, A., M. Humar, F.A. Kamke and M. Sernek. 2011. Fungal decay of viscoelastic thermal compressed (VTC) wood. Eur. J. Wood and Wood Prod. 69(2):325-328.
  • Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2010. Compression of wood under saturated steam, superheated steam, and transient conditions at 150oC, 160oC, and 170oC. Wood Sci. Tech. Published online Oct. 7, 2010; DOI 10.1007/x00226-010-0380-0.
  • Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2010. The influence of heat treatment on the set recovery of compressive deformation. p. 42-47 In: Proc., 1st International Conference on Processing Technologies for the Forest and Bio-Based Products Industries, October 7-8, Salzburg/Kuchl, Austria.
  • Kutnar, A., L. Rautkari and F.A. Kamke. 2010. Compressive creep of wood at high strain levels and variable moisture condition. In: Proc. World Conference on Timber Engineering, June 20-24, Riva del Garda, Italy. (In Press).
  • Murphy, G.E. and S.J. Pilkerton. 2011. Seasonal impacts on bark loss for Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine harvested on the Pacific Northwest coast of USA. International Journal of Forest Engineering. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Murphy, G.E. and S.J. Pilkerton. 2011. Seasonal impacts of bark loss on simulated payloads, bark delivery and transport costs. Forest Products Journal. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Panwar, R., E. Hansen and R. Anderson. 2010. A framework for identifying social and environmental issues: A case of the US forest products industry. Social Responsibility Journal 6(1):18-32.
  • Panwar, R., E. Hansen and R. Kozak. 2011. Evaluating social and environmental issues by integrating the legitimacy gap with expetational gaps: An empirical assessment of the forest industry. Business & Society. (In Press).
  • Prasittisophin, L. and K. Li. 2010. A new method of making particleboard with a formaldehyde-free soy-based adhesive. Compos. Part A 41:1447-1453.
  • Rautkari, L., F.A. Kamke and M. Hughes. 2011. Density profile relation to hardness of viscoelastic thermal compressed (VTC) wood composite. Wood Sci. Tech. Published online Jan. 13, 2011, DOI: 10.1007/s00226-0100-0400-0.
  • Rautkari, L., F.A. Kamke and M. Hughes. 2011. Potential error in density profile measurements for wood composites. Eur. J. Wood and Wood Prod. 69(1):167-169.
  • Rautkari, L., A. Kutnar, M. Hughes and F.A. Kamke. 2010. Wood surface densification using different methods. In: Proc., World Conference on Timber Engineering, June 20-24, Riva del Garda, Trentino, Italy. (In Press).
  • Schwarzkopf, M., J. Huang and K. Li. 2010. A formaldehyde-free soy-based adhesive for making oriented strandboard. Journal of Adhesion 86:352.364.
  • Schwarzkopf, M., J. Huang and K. Li. 2009. Preparation and evaluation of oriented strandboard bonded with a formaldehyde-free soy-based adhesive. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 86:1001-1007.
  • Skaugset, A., C. Surfleet and J. Amann. 2011. Evaluation of erosion models for predicting forest road erosion. Transportation Research Board International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, July, Florida. (In Press).


Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) All wall systems using prescribed design criteria were constructed and tested to failure. Results were compared to current design expectations. 2) A survey of executives in the top 100 global forest, paper & packaging industry companies was developed, pretested and administered in four languages during the summer 2010. 3) Additional funding allowed expansion of the VTC concept to a larger stand-alone device that is now being made operational. Data collected in the experiments allowed for development of a pilot-scale device and education of multiple students. Numerous presentations of initial results were made. 4) Initial data collection was completed in summer 2010. 5) Three highway products were studied for potential substitution by wood plastic composites. Guidelines for assessment of applications and materials regarding their suitability for replacement or partial substitution were compiled and technical barriers identified. Numerous presentations about this opportunity have been made with more planned. 6) Two-thirds of study data have been collected. Numerous presentations to industry about emerging technologies have been made. 7) Eleven spatial databases representing over 8,000 trees and downed woody debris locations spanning a range of silvicultural treatments were created. Analysis completed of the accuracy of GPS measurements of tree locations for two stands representing moderate and extreme slopes. Individual ground truth elevation points were compared to discrete elevations acquired using LiDAR. 8) Initial results show that there is a significant variation among the different rock type tested. Some of the aggregate describe as marginal performed bettered than the ones rated as good by road managers. 9) Field work, laboratory work, and analyses were completed for the five stands felled and measured; data were analyzed; student thesis competed and results are being disseminated via journal articles. 10) Sediment yield from road segments was sampled accounting for spatial and temporal variability. Sediment rating curves were developed between sediment yield and total storm discharge. The total amount of sediment that came from the road segments directly connected to the stream system is smaller than the error term associated with calculating total annual sediment at the mouth of the watershed. 11) Two soy-based adhesives (soy flour + a polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE), and soy flour + polyethylenimine+maleic anhydride) were investigated with the developed new method for making particleboard panels. Results are published and presented to science audiences. PARTICIPANTS: Sub-project 3: A post-doctoral research assistant was hired to complete the study in a timely manner. TARGET AUDIENCES: Composite product manufacturers, silviculturalists, wood scientists, business executives, researchers, forest biometricians, forest land managers, forest engineers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Subproject 4: The target audience for the data collection was changed because several of the industrial consumer groups identified in the proposal did not have enough members to provide statistically valid data. Data will now be collected from architects, contractors, and builders.

Impacts
1. Comparison of test results with expected behavior resulted in a series of recommendations for change in structural design practice and/or validation of current specifications. Proposed changes to wall designs can result in improved structural efficiency with little extra cost. 2) The most implemented CSR activities were found to occur with larger companies. The study found very few regional differences in implementation claims between Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America. 3) Optimal operating parameters that significantly improve the dimensional stabilization of hybrid poplar and Douglas-fir were discovered. A business plan for use of VTC material in flooring was developed. 4) None to date. 5) Manufacturers and Oregon DOT were made aware of market potential for the studied products and a next phase of work identified. 6) None to date. 7) For study forest conditions, differential correction using code is likely to have better accuracy results than using carrier correction. GPS horizontal position accuracy is degraded by forest canopy. Research papers have been submitted and technology transfer of results has begun. 8) Demonstrable potential to see a reduction in rock used on forest roads by mangers considering road aggregate properties. 9) Acoustic velocity data in a transverse manner (from one side of the log to the other) using time of flight equipment was not as reliable or accurate as gathering data in a longitudinal manner using resonance based equipment. Differences in profiles between stands could require development of stand-specific calibration procedures that may limit applications. 10) The sediment yield data from the individual road segments shows that it should be possible to be more selective in the approach to the environmental upgrade of forest roads. 11) Several novel curing agents were developed from renewable glycerol and have been evaluated as curing agents with soy flour for making plywood. The successful development of new curing agents from glycerol allows the soy flour/curing agent adhesive to be 100% based on renewable materials.

Publications

  • Barnard, D.M. 2010. Stem sapwood water transport and storage strategies in three conifers from contrasting climates. M.S. Thesis. Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 102 p.
  • Karas, M. and L. Muszynski. 2010. Utlization of low-grade woody biomass in highway related products: Outline of a viability assessment method. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Biocomposites: Transition to Green Material, May 2-4. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Kutnar, A., M. Humar, F.A. Kamke and M. Sernek. 2010. Fungal decay of viscoelastic thermal compressed (VTC) wood. European J. Wood Prod. Published online April 15, 2010; DOI 10.1007/s00107-010-0432-z.
  • Kutnar, A., F.A. Kamke and M. Sernek. 2010. Utilization of plantation wood in high performance wood-based structural composites. In: Proc. Wood Adhesives 2009, September 28-30, South Lake Tahoe, NV. (In press).
  • Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2010. Compressioin of wood under saturated steam, superheated steam, and transient conditions at 150oC, 160oC, and 170oC. Wood Sci. Tech. (Accepted for pub.).
  • Larson, K., C.D. Knowles and E.N. Hansen. 2009. Insights from lead-users in the wood window sector. Forest Business Solutions Research Brief. 2 p.
  • Maynard, D. 2010. Patterns and anatomical bases for radial permeability differences of Douglas-fir xylem from an east-west transect across Oregon. Proceedings, Joint Meeting of IAWA and IAWS, Madison, WI. Published by IAWA.
  • Muszynski, L. 2009. Imaging wood plastic composites: X-ray computed tomography, a few other promising techniques, and why we should pay attention. Bioresources 4(3):1210-1221.
  • Rautkari, L., F.A. Kamke and M. Hughes. 2010. Potential error in density profile measurements for wood composites. European J. Wood and Wood Products. Published online February 23, 2010; DOI 10.1007/s00107-010-0419-9.
  • Sessions, J., J. Wimer and K. Boston. 2009. Hauling longer logs: Opportunities and Issues. Western J. of Applied Forestry 24(3):157-162.
  • Sessions, J., J. Wimer, F. Costales and M. Wing. 2010. Road assessment for biomass transport in steep terrain. Western J. of Applied Forestry. (In press).
  • Muszynski, L. 2009. Is what you see all you can get Bridging experimentation and modeling with advanced imaging techniques. p. 71-83 In: Proceedings of the Final Conference of COST Action E49: Processes and Performance of Wood-Based Panels, September 14-15, Nantes, France. Edited by M. Irle.
  • Panwar, R., X. Han and E. Hansen. 2010. A demographic examination of societal views regarding corporate social responsibility in the US forest products industry. Forest Policy and Economics 12(2):121-128.
  • Surfleet, C. 2009. Uncertainity in forest road hydrologic modeling and catchment scale assessment of forest road sediment yield. Ph.D. Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 276 p.
  • Thompson, D.W., E.N. Hansen, C.D. Knowles and L. Muszynski. 2009. Opportunities for wood plastic composites in the highway construction sector. Forest Business Solutions Research Brief 7(3): 2 p.
  • Thompson, D.W., E.N. Hansen, C.D. Knowles and L. Muszynski. 2010. Opportunities for wood plastic composite products in the U.S. highway construction sector. Bioresources 5(3):1335-1352.
  • Thompson, D., R. Panwar and E. Hansen. 2010. Differences in social responsibility orientation between forest sector executives and societal members residing in the Pacific Northwest. Management Decisions 48(1):156-171.
  • Barnard, D., B. Lachenbruch and F. Meinzer. 2009. Radial water transport and sapwood use efficiency of two conifers from contrasting climate regimes in the Pacific Northwest. Biology and Mycology 2009, Abstracts published online. 1 page. Botanical Society of America. http://2009.botanyconference.org/engine/search/index.phpfunc=detail& aid=925.
  • Cheng, Q., L. Muszynski, S.J. Shaler and J. Wang. 2009. Property changes of wood-polypropylene composites due to extended moisture cycling. p, 232-237 In: Proceedings of the 10th Internatioinal Conference on Wood and Biofiber Plastic Composites and Cellulose Nanocomposites Symposium, May 11-13, Madison, WI.
  • Dowding. B. 2010. Estimating spatial changes in acoustic velocity in felled Douglas-fir stems. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 58 p.
  • Goodall, S.I. 2010. Optimizing the performance of gypsum wall board in wood frame shear walls. M.S. Thesis. Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 175 p.
  • Grover, M.S., C.D. Hahn, J.A. Jenkins and D.H. Nguyen. 2010. DensiWood, Inc. Business Plan. Final Report. Integrated Business Project (IBP). Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration. College of Business, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 78 p.
  • Kamke, F.A.and V.M. Rathi. 2010. Apparatus for visoelastic thermal compressioin of wood. Holz als Roh- und Werkst. (Accepted for pub.).


Progress 08/01/08 to 07/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) A series of test wall with six different design criteria have been constructed and seismic testing has begun. 2) A database of annual and sustainability reports from the world's largest pulp, paper, and packaging manufacturing companies has been developed. The annual/CR/sustainability reports of the top 100 global forest, paper & packaging industry companies reported by PricewaterhouseCoopers were content analyzed to identify each company's CR activities implementation. 3) Modifications to the existing viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) device were made to include a high temperature LVDT inside the pressurized vessel; extensive calibration and reprogramming of the system control software and new platens were designed, built and installed. Experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of VTC processing on surface hardness and density profile development. 4) A graduate student has been recruited and will begin January 2010. 5) Three sample products were identified for the study on the size of the market for highway products that appear to be likely candidates for substitution by wood plastic composites. A database of existing manufacturers and a survey of standards, specifications and tests required for the selected products and materials are being compiled. Guidelines for assessment of applications and materials regarding their suitability for replacement or partial substitution with bio-based composites have been compiled. 6) Two methods for assessing bark quantity have been tested on six sets of approximately 25 Douglas fir logs per set. Data collection techniques were refined and optimal log-making software was modified and tested. 7) Eleven hectare-sized (100 by 100 meter) plots were selected and over 8,000 features including trees, shrubs, and downed woody debris locations were inventoried by filed crews. The eleven data sets and parallel LIDAR data were matched for analysis. 8) Material from ten quarries was collected a qualitative judgment regarding rock quality for use as a surface rock on forest roads. Tests completed on the material included LA Abrasion, micro Deval, Sand Equivalency, and gradation. 9) Five stands in southern Oregon containing Douglas fir trees that were 40 years or older were selected. Thirty trees (6 trees per stand) were felled, limbed and tops removed at a 10 cm diameter from the top of the tree. Measurements on the trees and cut disks is underway. 10) Sediment yield from road segments was sampled accounting for spatial and temporal variability. A technique was developed to estimate sediment yield from individual road segments based on sediment rating curves from sampled road segments and the hydrology of the road segments. 11) A new method of spraying a curing agent to a mixture of wood flakes and soy flour has been successfully developed for making OSB. A novel method of coating wood particles with dilute soy slurry in water followed by drying and spraying of a curing agent has been developed for making particleboard. PARTICIPANTS: Sub-project 4) Lack of a qualified student required employing a full-time post-doc researcher in order to comply with project timeline. Dr. Andreja Kutnar is a post-doctoral research assistant who has primary responsibility for specimen preparation, experimentation and data analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Composite product manufacturers, silviculturalists, wood scientists, business executives, researchers, forest biometricians, forest land managers, forest engineers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Subproject 11: Some changes were made in the chemical feed stocks to be used in the experimental plan as a result of initial lab studies; specifically glycerol is being used rather than starch.

Impacts
1. Test specimen design was based on collaborative meetings with engineers from various parts of the US. 2) Seven categories of corporate responsibility activities as implemented by companies at different levels were identified (Leadership, vision and values; Marketplace activities; workforce activities; supply chain activities; stakeholder engagement and community activities). 3) A new procedure has been developed to measure strain using a high-temperature LVDT, with shielding to protect it from steam intrusion. Other modifications to the experimental VTC device now permit more rapid processing of test specimens and extended the dynamic range of test conditions. 4) None to date. 5) Collaborations with local manufacturing companies have been established and prototype specimens are being fabricated. 6) None to date. 7) Techniques were developed to conduct GPS surveys of biomass data and correlate them with LIDAR output. LiDAR representations of road and stream features were found to have substantial differences from spatial positions as represented in existing GIS databases. As a result, hydrologic flow paths can't be accurately captured by current GIS tools. 8) Manager's judgment of road aggregate quality is poorly correlated to lab results. 9) None to date. 10) None so far. 11) A new adhesive application method allows for production of environmentally-friendly OSB but did not work for particleboard. A different novel application approach for particleboard was developed that holds promise for potential commercialization.

Publications

  • Karas, M., L. Muszynski, D. Thompson, E. Hansen and K. Boston. 2009. Sustainable bio-composites for west coast highways. 43rd International Wood Composites Symposium and Technical Workshop, March 30-April 1, Seattle, WA. (Poster).
  • Kutnar, A., F.A. Kamke, J.A. Nairn and M. Sernek. 2008. Mode II fracture behavior of bonded viscoelastic thermal compressed wood. Wood and Fiber Science 40(3):362-373.
  • Kutnar, F.A. Kamke, M. Petric and M Sernek. 2008. The influence of viscoelastic thermal compression on the chemistry and surface energetics of wood. Collids Surf. A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 329:82-86.
  • Muszynski, L. 2009. Imaging wood plastic composites (WRCs): X-ray computed tomography, a few other promising techniques, and why we should pay attention. BioResources 4(3):1210-1221.
  • Ding, J., L. Muszynski and J. Simonsen. 2009. Morphology based modeling of micro-mechanics and failure mechanisms in bio-materials with polymer matrices. 63rd International Convention FPS/SWST, June 21-23, Boise, ID. (Poster).
  • Hansen, E. 2008. Market and innovation considerations in development of nautral/wood fibre composites. p. 356-362. In: Properties and Performance of Natural-Fibre Composites. K.L. Pickering, ed. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, England.
  • Kamke, F.A. and L. Rautkari. 2009. Modified wood veneer for structural applications. p. 207-212 In: Proc. Fourth International Symposium on Veneer Processing and Products, May 24-27, Espoo, Finland.
  • Kamke, F.A. and C.P. Gabrielli. 2009. VTC treatment and phenol-formaldedhyde impregnation of hybrid poplar. p. 447-450 In: Poc. 4th European Conference on Wood Modification, April 27-29, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Karas, M., L. Muszynski, D. Thompson, E. Hansen and K. Boston. 2009. Sustainable bio-composites for west coast highways. 63rd International Convention FPS/SWST, June 21-23, Boise, ID. (Poster).
  • Schwarzkopf, M., J. Huang and K. Li. 2009. A formaldehyde-free soy-based adhesive for making oriented strandboard. Journal of Adhesion. (In Press).
  • Schwarzkopf, M., J. Huang and K. Li. 2009. Preparation and evaluation of oriented strandboard bonded with formaldehyde-free soy-based adhesive. Journal of American Oil Chemists Society 86:1001-1007.
  • Kutnar, A., F.A. Kamke and M. Sernek. 2008. The mechanical properties of densified VTC wood relevant for structural composites. Holz als Roh- Werkst. 66(6):439-446.