This study first validated a proposed finite element model for analyzing the fatigue damage progression (FDP) in mortise-tenon (M-T) joints used in furniture frame construction. The required inputs, including the degradation of the friction coefficient and M-T fit, were obtained from experimental data. The validated model was then used to simulate the effects of cyclic load amplitude (CLA: 150, 200, 250, and 300 N) on key FDP-related parameters, including contact open distance, surface contact status, contact area, contact pressure, hysteresis curve, and internal energy, which are commonly used to characterize FDP in M-T joints. The simulation results indicate that FDP in M-T joints can be divided into three distinct stages: sticking, transition from sticking to detaching (TFSD), and sliding, defined by characteristic points identified from the slopes of the contact open distance versus cyclic load count ratio (CLCR) curves. Under low cyclic loads (150 N and 200 N), the CLCR ranges corresponding to sticking, TFSD, and sliding stages approximately span 0–50
This study investigates the colour evolution of Norway spruce wood during one year of natural weathering across multiple European locations as part of a Round Robin experiment. Colour measurements (CIE Lab) were performed on samples with monthly-resolved exposure duration to quantify discolouration and determine total colour change (ΔE). The results show that weathering induces rapid colour modification, with the most pronounced changes occurring within the first month of exposure. A clear two‑stage behaviour was identified: an initial colour‑enrichment phase, characterised by increases in CIE a and CIE b, followed by progressive decolouration and greying, reflected primarily through decreases in CIE L. Although the fundamental mechanisms of photodegradation were consistent across all sites, the rate and extent of discolouration varied substantially with local climatic conditions. Samples exposed in Turkey exhibited the highest ΔE values, whereas those in the UK showed the lowest. This difference is consistent with expected climatic variations in solar radiation, moisture conditions, and temperature fluctuations between the two locations, which are known to influence weathering kinetics. The dataset provides a robust basis for linking colour change and its dynamics with site‑specific climate parameters enabling the development of a dedicated dose-response model.
Surface densification can improve the surface performance of low density plantation wood, but moisture induced recovery of the compressed layer limits its dimensional stability. Here, localized surface hydration and asymmetric platen heating were combined with partial delignification and sodium silicate impregnation to produce and stabilize a surface densified layer in plantation grown Chinese fir while retaining a lower density core. Hydrothermal confinement generated an effective densification depth of 4.2–5.3 mm within the final 18 mm thickness. For the hydrothermal confinement series, an initial confinement temperature of 140 °C increased surface hardness from 708 N in untreated wood to 1784 N, with apparent dry-state recovery of 47.3
Timber, a popular construction material, has limited application due to its vulnerability to fire. Hence, the flammability behaviour of timber is continuously studied to enhance its fire resistance. This study introduces a short-duration densification process that compresses low-density timber, enhancing its physicomechanical and flammability properties and making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of compression ratios on the heat release rate (HRR) and total smoke release (TSR) of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufactured from the laminas of Paraserianthes falcataria, a low-density, fast-growing timber species. The laminas were compressed at varying compression ratios (40
