The furniture industry is characterized by the intensive use of cutting, shaping, and surfacetreating machinery, which naturally generates high noise levels. This study aimed to assess noise exposure levels in furniture manufacturing facilities by examining the effects of enterprise scale, machine types, and working conditions (loaded and unloaded) on occupational health and safety (OHS). The study was conducted in a total of 30 enterprises, 10 at each enterprise scale level. Physical risk factor data for noise were recorded using on-site measurements for the machines and production lines used at each enterprise level, depending on various variables. ANOVA, T-test, and Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationships between the variables. The results revealed that small-scale businesses were the riskiest group in terms of noise levels. Generally, although measured noise levels in workplaces remain below the highest exposure action value of 85 dB, critical levels have been detected under specific machinery and working conditions. In machine-based assessments, the critical machines exceeding the highest exposure value of 85 dB are: In small-scale businesses – planing machine (95.26 dB), circular saw (88.08 dB) and band saw (86.81 dB); in micro-scale businesses – CNC drilling machine (91.13 dB), CNC sizing machine (88.01 dB) and band saw (85.95 dB); and in medium-scale businesses – circular saw (85.24 dB). As a result of the study, it has been emphasized that long-term noise exposure poses a risk to employees’ hearing health and that preventive measures are therefore mandatory.
Wood surfaces should be coated in order to protect wooden materials from adverse environmental conditions. In this study, calcite (CaCO3) and borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O) were added to the varnish to increase the protection effectiveness of the water-based acrylic varnish used for protection on fir tree (Abies alba L.) timber. The varnish mixture was applied on the samples with a brush. Rapid aging was applied to the samples with the QUV accelerated weathering tester to determine the surface durability of the samples. After rapid aging, color analysis and Taber abrasion test were performed on the sample surfaces for surface characterization. Then, thetest results were compared with the pre-aging test results. The results were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the addition of filler did not significantly affect color stability after UV exposure (p > 0.05). Abrasion resistance was affected by both the type of filler and the UV treatment. 4 % calcite provided the highest resistance before aging. High filler content reduced UV resistance in some cases. Overall, lower filler ratios (≤ 2 %) resulted in a more balanced performance.
Engineered wood products (EWPs) are wood-based materials created by engineering and combining wood elements into high-performance products with improved structural, functional, aesthetic, and environmental characteristics. They have become a very important segment in sustainable construction in recent years, which highlights the need for their integration into architectural education. Unfortunately, in many developing countries, including North Macedonia, their presence in architectural curricula, and in the design practice, remains limited and insufficiently explored. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, perception,and application of EWPs among architecture students, with a focus on the relationship between the theoretical insights and practical application. The research was based on a case study conducted at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, at the International Balkan University in Skopje, North Macedonia. The methodology in this study comprises three steps to enable more holistic analyses. First, a survey questionnaire was distributed among architecture students at different levels of study to assess their familiarity with wood and EWPs, and their experience with their practical application throughout their studies. Second, analyses of the curriculum were conducted to evaluate the presence of wood-based topics in the courses of the study programme. Lastly, the study was further supported by research on the students’ projects to detect the level of application of wood and wood-based materials. The results indicate that students have relatively high theoretical knowledge of wood and EWPs. However, their experience remains limited, with a tendency towards non-structural use and less frequent implementation of these structural materials. Although there has been a gradual increase in the consideration of timber-based solutions in recent years, further research is required. Inaddition, there is a lack of dedicated courses that specifically focus on timber construction, which is the reason for limited practical and technical knowledge related to their application. This study reveals that practice-oriented approaches, including project-based learning and exposure to contemporary timber construction, are crucial in architectural education for strengthening the integration of wood-based materials. Finally, the findings of this study can contribute to a better understanding of the role of education in promoting sustainable material choices and provide guidelines for future curriculum development.
Indonesia has abundant biodiversity and valuable timber species are used as essential raw materials in various industries. The objective of this study was to provide physical properties and dimensional stability information of three kinds of wood species that are categorized as fast-growing wood, namely Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb.), Nyatoh (Palaquium spp.), and Waru (Hibiscus tiliaceus), which can support the appropriate and sustainable use of these woods. Gmelina exhibited the lowest tangential-to-radial shrinkage ratio (T/R) (1.01), indicating better dimensional stability compared to Nyatoh and Waru. Nyatoh exhibited intermediate physical properties with a T/R ratio of 1.83. Waru exhibited the lowest dimensional stability with a T/R ratio of 2.13. Overall, the results of this study highlight the differences in physical properties and dimensional stability among the three wood species under identical testing conditions and provide reference data to support material selection and further research on these commercially important tropical woods.
This study examines the effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of four wood species: oak (Quercus petraea L), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), chestnut (Castanea sativa) and cedar (Cedrus libani). Samples were subjected to heat treatment at 175 °C and 205 °C, and their bending strength, modulus of elasticity, compression strength, dynamic bending (shock) strength, column strength, and hardness were compared with untreated controls. Results revealed that wood species, treatment temperature and their interaction significantly influenced all mechanical properties. Oak consistently showed the highest performance, while cedar exhibited the lowest values. Heat treatment caused notable reductions in mechanical properties, with losses ranging from 0.2 % to 52.2 % at 175 °C and increasing further at 205 °C. The reduction is attributed to the thermal degradation of wood components such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, leading to weakened cell walls and increased brittleness. Lower temperatures primarily produced a pre-treatment and drying effect, while higher temperatures intensified chemical degradation. Among the properties tested, bending strength, modulus of elasticity and hardness were most affected. The findings demonstrate that heat treatment significantly alters the mechanical performance of wood, and these changes must be considered in structural and engineering applications where strength and durability are critical factors. It has been determined that the mechanical property changes of needleleaved and broad-leaved wood samples subjected to thermal treatment at both 175 °C and 205 °C in the samechamber are similar. It has been suggested that thermal treatment of both wood types could be carried out at a slightly higher chamber temperature (above 175 °C), thereby achieving a much closer thermal treatment effect for both wood types and potentially achieving significant energy savings.
