Measurement and Enhancement of Wood Mechanical and Chemical Properties, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is one of the challenges of the modern world currently facing humanity. In recent years, various environmental, economic, and political aspects have contributed to the adaptation and introduction of regulations in response to the challenges of sustainable development in the management of wood resources. To counter climate change, there has been a growing interest in solutions to increase the rational use of wood in the economy. In this regard, it is urgent to seek pathways for economic development based on improving the properties of wood through the implementation of innovative technological solutions for the manufacture of products, with the use of environmentally friendly technologies and modification options that will allow for the development of a low-carbon economy as well as a society that is adapted to climate change.

In the first edition, we received over 30 interested authors’ inquiries and 14 submissions. Finally, six of them were successfully published. In the second edition, we still hope to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research in this field. It will cover a wide range of topics, from basic measurement techniques to advanced modification methods. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

• Measurement techniques for wood mechanical and chemical properties;
• principles for the introduction of wood material processing technologies, including investment elements related to resource conservation and investment decisions on the use as well as production of wood and wood-based products;
• updated research reviews using measurement analysis methods that address innovations related to the harvesting or rational use of wood, with positive environmental impacts;
• discussion of the main technological and economic challenges in the forest-wood area, as well as suggestions of potentially possible ways to modify wood and the related socioeconomic effects;
• the impacts of wood properties on end-use applications and the possibilities of using post-consumer wood, including wood composite materials, for utility purposes;
• the use of modern solutions related not only to the introduction of environmentally friendly improved wood materials but energy-efficient processing technologies as well.

Contributions of research using mathematical and econometric programming tools to analyze and evaluate case studies will also be welcome. All articles will undergo a thorough review process in accordance with Forests quality standards. Articles must contain original research, and illustrations should refer to actual case studies for which data should be provided (either in the article or as supplementary material) to ensure that the results can be verified. Articles should contribute novel and noteworthy research to the relevant literature.

Dr. Wanzhao Li
Dr. Marek Wieruszewski
Dr. Yue Qi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• change in wood properties
• laboratory measurements
• industrial measurements
• energy-efficient technologies for processing wood and wood-based materials
• materials and technologies for curing improved wood products
• ecological and technological aspects of harvesting and use of wood biomass
• climate regulations in the processing of wood and wood-based materials
• legal, economic, and technological aspects of the use of modified wood
• sustainable development of wood production

Title: Structure effects on mechanical properties of a novel engineered wood product: Cross-laminated-thick veneers based on infinite splicing technology
Authors: Yuxin Yang; Juan Hu; Xinguang Ning; Yahui Zhang; Yingqi He; Yingchun Gong; Wenji Yu; Yuxiang Huang
Affiliation: Research Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Haidian, 100091 Beijing, China
Abstract: With increasing global concern over carbon emissions in the construction industry, cross-laminated-thick veneers (CLTV) has emerged as an innovative green building material with significant potential to promote the achievement of "dual-carbon" goals. This study developed a groove and tenon splicing technique for thick veneers, enabling infinite splicing the length direction and the preparation of large-size CLTV measuring 12 m (length)×3.25 m (width)×105 mm (thickness). The mechanical properties of CLTV were studied in relation to splice position, assembly pattern of grain directions, and layer combinations. The results showed that increasing the number of ∥ layers (∥ indicates grain direction of layer parallel to the length direction of CLTV) and using high-level layers significantly improved the compressive strength and reduced the coefficient of variation of CLTV. In terms of bending properties, reasonable splice distribution, placing ∥ layers away from the neutral axis, and elevating layer level dramatically enhanced CLTV performance. Furthermore, the study revealed the synergistic effect among these design elements. The effects of layer level and the number of ∥ layers on mechanical properties varied depending on splice arrangement and assembly pattern of grain directions, highlighting the importance of efficient structural design and raw material selection. This study addresses the limitations of traditional cross-laminated timber in raw material selection and production efficiency. Through structural innovation, it offers a solution for physical design and performance regulation, enabling the application of larger CLTV in wood structure and presenting new ideas for using fast-growing wood to reduce construction emission.