Jakub Sandak

Relationship between near-infrared (NIR) spectra and the geographical provenance of timber

Since trees record all the environmental factors in the wood, many wood properties are related to the site characteristics. Despite of this fact, identifying the origin of a timber has always been considered a difficult task, and no effective tools are presently available for this purpose. The goal of this study was to verify whether significant differences among groups of the same wood species due to the provenance can be detected with Fourier transform near-infra-red spectroscopy (FT-NIR). Spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) samples collected from stands in Finland, Northern and Southern Poland and Italy were analyzed using two different approaches: for the first approach samples were collected from four provenances scattered in a wide area throughout Europe, while for the second approach the samples were collected from provenances located in a narrow area within the same region in Italy. For the first approach, all the specimens were clearly divided into groups by using statistical methods. The separation among groups from the narrow local area was actual; even though less significant than in the previous case. It was concluded that trees growing in various locations have somewhat different chemical composition, and FT-NIR is sensitive enough to detect such differences. The presented method could be used for tracking wood provenances and as a technical tool for detecting logs harvested illegally from protected areas.

Solid state NMR and IR characterization of wood polymer structure in relation to tree provenance.

(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance and mid-infrared spectroscopies were used for characterizing changes in the chemical structure of wood polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) in relation to the tree growth location. Samples of three provenances in Europe (Finland, Poland and Italy) were selected for studies. The requirement was to use untreated solid wood samples to minimize any manipulation to the nanostructure of native wood. The results confirm that the chemical and physical properties of samples belonging to the same wood species (Picea abies Karst.) differ due to the origin. Both FT-IR and dynamic NMR spectroscopies were able to correctly discriminate samples originating from three different provenances in Europe. Such methods might be very useful for both, research and understanding of wood microstructure and its variability due to the growth conditions.

Differences in wood properties of Picea abies L. Karst. in relation to site of provenance and population genetics

Abstract Chemical and physical characteristics of wood from six European populations of Picea abies were investigated taking into consideration their genetic differentiation determined by four microsatellites markers. The growth conditions of investigated spruce trees differed significantly. As a consequence, several adaptations were observed in samples from varying environments. The adaptation mechanisms include a variation to the annual rings morphology as well as the physical properties of the wood. It was proved that some properties, such as wood density or latewood ratio, are strictly correlated to the environmental variables. Results show that trees from geographically distinct populations present some diversity in the genotypes. It was also noticed that some trees did not share their genetic profile with other plants from the same location due to high intrapopulation variability. Samples from Finland possessed the lowest level of internal differentiation, while samples from northern Poland presented the lowest allele richness and were most divergent from the others. It was not possible to correlate any wood properties (chemical or physical) to genetic features of the population due to high intrapopulation diversity.

Properties of wood surfaces – characterisation and measurement. A review COST Action E35 2004–2008: Wood machining – micromechanics and fracture

Abstract Wood surfaces might be considered as geometrical structures combined with position dependent chemical properties. It is possible to access surface properties only from a methodical point of view, e.g., by measuring roughness, colour, surface energy and other features. This type of characterisation remains incomplete because it does not account for the complex interactions of the properties, which are caused by the machining process. A better approach might be to describe the surface as a system of time dependent properties including the history of machining operations performed for a specific purpose. This work presents the advancements in the understanding of wood surfaces achieved in the course of the COST Action E35. The interaction between raw material, machining, and techniques of measurement will be discussed in terms of surface characteristics including the tactile properties of wood surfaces.

The critical rotational speed of circular saw: simple measurement method and its practical implementations

Operation safety during sawing operations as well as dimensional accuracy and surface roughness depend on circular saw dynamic features among other factors such as circular saw blade accuracy and static/dynamic properties of the machine tool. Manufacturers of saw blades have an obligation to mark tools with a value stating the maximum allowed rotational speed for each saw. However, in some cases the value indicated on the saw corresponds to the critical rotational speed or is dangerously close to this critical value. Saw operation at the critical rotational speed is inadvisable and may result in serious injury or depreciation of product quality. This report outlines a simple methodology for evaluation of circular saw critical rotational speed. The assessment was conducted with a camera vision technique on the basis of an impulse test. Results are compared with theoretically calculated critical rotational speeds and the marks on saw blades.

Characterization and Monitoring of Surface Weathering on Exposed Timber Structures With a Multi-Sensor Approach

The goal of this work was to understand and model the combined effect of time, geographical location, and exposure on the physical–chemical mechanisms of wood weathering in structures. Series of wooden samples were exposed to natural weathering in seven locations varying in climatic conditions, including Italy and north Germany. The set of samples was exposed for 4 years, collecting representative samples each year. Four exposure directions (north, south, east, and west) were investigated. Measurements of samples included: photogrammetry, near and mid infrared spectroscopy, color, gloss, roughness, and elemental composition (x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy). Results showed that the surface degradation mechanisms caused by weathering were affected by the site of exposure. The wood samples weathered in the Italian sites, in Udine and Macerata, were most degraded. The most significant changes were observed in samples exposed to the south direction. The original algorithm for calculation of “the weathering indicator”, by merging the multi-sensor data and linking these to the surface performance indicators was developed. Finally, the subjective visual assessment by the expert person was compared with parameters obtained by measuring the weathered surfaces with various sensors. A good correspondence between weathering indicator Wind and subjective quality index was established.

Non Destructive Characterization of Wooden Members Using near Infrared Spectroscopy

On site characterization of wood members is a very challenging task, after considering all the variables affecting the whole structure itself and material used for construction. The up-to-data procedures are limited to few characterizations, and in general based on visual assessment supported by local drilling resistance analysis, stress-wave time of flight measurement and/or moisture content estimation. The goal of this work was to promote near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a supplementary tool providing additional information for the expert assessing timber structures. The paper presents several examples of successful NIR application in species recognition, physical properties prediction, evaluation of wood weathering and/or fungal degradation level. However, it must be stated that implementation of NIR in routine assessment protocols requires prior preparation of a dedicated databases of high precision reference values to build reliable, flexible and sufficiently generalized models.

Monitoring of Wood Decay by near Infrared Spectroscopy

Wood as a natural resource is subject to continuous degradation by means of different environmental agents, where fungal decay is one of the main factors affecting timber structure elements. The goal of this work was to monitor and model effects of fungal growth on the chemical-physical properties of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.). The spectra of wood samples were obtained with near infrared spectrometer and subjected to chemometric analysis. It was found that the white root fungi (Trametes versicolor) affected spectral bands related to lignin and also hemicelluloses. Brown root fungi (Postia placenta, Coniphora puteana, Gleophyllum trabeum) exhibit spectra deviations mostly in the regions related to carbohydrates. However, it was evident that the degradation efficiency of Coniphora puteana was the highest among all the investigated fungi. It was possible to classify the wood samples to clusters separating the investigated fungi. Accordingly, different effects on the strength loss of the wooden members can be identified. It was shown that near infrared spectroscopy has a great potential for in-field assessment of the fungal degradation of wood.

Weathering kinetics of thin wood veneers assessed with near infrared spectroscopy

Wooden elements may be subjected to mechanical, environmental or biological alterations during their service life. The most susceptible parts of wood structural members are the exposed surfaces since they are subjected to ageing, weathering and/or decay. Knowledge of the influence of weathering factors and polymer degradation mechanisms is essential for understanding the weathering process of wood. The goal of this study was to investigate the degradation of thin wooden samples exposed to short-term weathering. Tests were performed through the European summer (July), which according to previous research is considered as the most severe period for weathering of wood micro-sections. Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy was used for evaluation of chemical changes of wood samples. Three approaches for data evaluation are presented in this paper: (1) direct spectral interpretation, (2) a concept for calculation of a weathering index Wind and (3) kinetics of lignin changes in relation to the exposure direction for selected wavelengths. Observation of the effects of weathering will allow better understanding of the degradation process. The southern exposure site was slightly more affected by weathering than other sites. Results of this research will be used for future determination of the weather-dose response model and could be essential for predicting the future performance of timber facade elements.

Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging in Transmission Mode: Assessing the Weathering of Thin Wood Samples:

Untreated wooden surfaces degrade when exposed to natural weathering. In this study thin wood samples were studied for weather degradation effects utilising a hyperspectral camera in the near infrared wavelength range in transmission mode. Several sets of samples were exposed outdoors for time intervals from 0 days to 21 days, and one set of samples was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a laboratory chamber. Spectra of earlywood and latewood were extracted from the hyperspectral image cubes using a principal component analysis-based masking algorithm. The degradation was modelled as a function of UV solar radiation with four regression techniques, partial least squares, principal component regression, Ridge regression and Tikhonov regression. It was found that all the techniques yielded robust prediction models on this dataset. The result from the study is a first step towards a weather dose model determined by temperature and moisture content on the wooden surface in addition to the solar radiation.