• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2015

To evaluate the natural decay durability of valuable domestic softwoods which are used for preservative treatment in our country, we carried out decay test by European standard method. Of all test wood species, Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) showed slightly high natural decay durability compared to other 4 wood species, Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora), pitch pine (Pinus rigida), Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), and scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). However, all of evaluated domestic softwood species in this study caused high weight losses over about 30% in heartwood by test fungus, Poria placenta. We can hardly expect a good natural decay durability from these softwood species. According to the classification of the natural durability of European standard (EN 350-1), they are classified into "Not durable" or "Slightly durable". Therefore, if using these softwoods as exterior materials, we must do preservative treatment to ensure durability.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2019

This study is to derive the types of displacement and damage that occur in wooden architecture cultural assets. Although the wooden architectural cultural assets are being repaired through continuous maintenance, secondary problems frequently occur. This is because the root cause of the problem has yet to be solved. The types of displacement and damage that occur in the wooden architecture cultural asset are classified into three parts: the foundation section, the gagu section, and the roof section. In turn, the three main factors that lead to displacement and damages are the structures' load impact, the durability deterioration, and the imbalance. Load impact is a phenomenon in which the member is subjected to a load that causes deformation or cracks. Durability decline is a natural phenomenon that reduces the performance of lumber as a result of check shake, termite damage, and decay. The imbalance is a condition in which the lumber is twisted and the force balance is lost, due to either drying shrinkage or displacement of the gagu section.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.323-337
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• 2018

Merkusii pine wood (Pinus merkusii) was extensively planted throughout Indonesia, where it is only indigenous in northern Sumatera, by the Dutch during colonial times. The demand for this wood species, especially in the domestic market, has increased notably, despite its limited durability regarding decay resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of juvenile and mature wood on merkusii pine and to analyze its radial features from pith to bark based on density, shrinkage, static bending in modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity, fiber length, microfibril angle, and durability. A segmented modeling approach was used to find the juvenile-mature transition. The graveyard test was performed to characterize the termite resistance from pith to bark of merkusii pine. The maturations were estimated to start at radial increments of 15 cm from the pith by fiber length and of 12 cm from the pith by microfibril angle. The projected figures for the proportion of juvenile wood at breast height were around 65%. The results also indicate that the pine wood was $0.52g/cm^3$ in density, 1.45 in coefficient of anisotropy, which indicates its good stability, 7597 MPa in modulus of elasticity, and 63 MPa in modulus of rupture. Natural durability against subterranean termite of the merkusii pine wood was rated to be grade 4 to 0 from pith to bark. However, after being treated by Entiblu and Enborer preservatives, its rating increased to grade 10 to 9.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.258-266
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• 2019

This study was conducted to apply natural river technologies to levees and examine the results. The new eco-friendly bio-polymer was applied, a combination of eco-friendly biopolymers and soil, to levee slope to enhance durability and eco-friendliness and to establish reinforcement measures against unstable levees due to overtopping. A semi-prototype levee of 1 m in height, 3 m in width, with a 1:2 slope and 5 m length, was constructed at the Andong River Experiment Center. The bio-soil mixed with the biopolymer and the soil at an appropriate ratio was treated with a 5 cm thickness on the surface of levee to perform the stability evaluation according to overtopping. Using the pixel-based analysis technique using the image analysis program, the breached area of levee slope was calculated over time. As a result, the time for complete decay occurs more than 12 times than that of ordinary soil levee. Therefore, when the new substance is applied to the surface of levee, the decay delay effect appears to be high.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.68-77
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• 2006

The heartwood of cengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) is known to have a high degree of decay resistance by virtue of its high extractive content. After 30 years in ground contact an utility pole of this tropical hardwood was found to be degraded only in the surface layers by cavity-forming soft rot fungi. The present work was undertaken 1) to characterize the degradation of cengal heartwood from the aspect of ultrastructure and chemistry and 2) to investigate the correlation between soft rot decay and its extractive microdistribution in wood tissues. The chemical analysis of cengal heartwood revealed the presence of a high amount of extractives as well as lignin. The wood contained a relatively high amount of condensed lignin and the guaiacyl units. Microscopic observations revealed that vessels, fibers and parenchyma cells (both ray and axial parenchyma) all contained extractives in their lumina, but in variable amounts. The lumina of fibers and most axial parenchyma were completely or almost completely filled with the extractives. TEM micrographs showed that cell walls were also impregnated with extractives and that pit membranes connecting parenchyma cells were well coated and impregnated with extractives. However, fungal hyphae were present in the extractive masses localized in cell lumina, and indications were that the extractives did not completely inhibit fungal growth. The extent of cell wall degradation varied with tissue types. The fibers appeared to be more susceptible to decay than vessels and parenchyma. Middle lamella was the only cell wall region which remained intact in all cell types which were severely degraded. The microscopic observations suggested a close correlation between extractive microdistribution and the pattern and extent of cell wall degradation. In addition to the toxicity to fungi, the physical constraint of the extractive material present in cengal heartwood cells is likely to have a profound effect on the growth and path of invasion of colonizing fungi, thus conferring protection to wood by restricting fungal entry into cell walls. The presence of relatively high amount of condensed lignin is also likely to be a factor in the resistance of cengal heartwood to soft rot decay.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2017

Yellow-hearted pine (YHP; Pinus densiflora for. erecta Uyeki) is one of the Red pine species and has extremely narrow growth ring and high ratio of heartwood growing in Korea. It has been used for valuable wooden constructions as palace and temple for royal family since the Joseon Dynasty period. However, scientific information on the wood properties of YHP is still very lacking. This study was carried out to investigate natural durability of YHP to fungi and termites attack. Examination of anti-fungal and anti-termite properties of YHP was performed at indoor condition using brown-rot fungi (Fomitopsis palustris), white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor), and termite (Reticulitermes speratus). The results showed that weight loss of the heartwood in YHP after fungi and termite test was much lower than those of the sapwood in YHP. Furthermore, the highest mortality of termite was obtained from the heartwood of YHP. Consequently, it is clearly revealed that the heartwood of YHP has excellent durability against brown- and white-rot fungi and termite.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2023

Properties of a lesser-used wood species were investigated to determine its potential for structural utilization. Trees of Delonix regia were felled and sampled at the base, middle and top and then sectioned to inner wood, middle wood, and outer wood for variation across the axial and radial directions. Hence, selected physical and mechanical properties as well as natural durability of D. regia along the radial and axial directions were examined. Obtained data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at α_0.05. There was no significant difference in the Moisture content (MC) of the wood but specific gravity (SG) decreased from base to top ranging from 0.35-0.44. Water absorption, volumetric swelling, and volumetric shrinkage range from 46.18-51.86%, 2.57-4.02%, and 2.26-3.96% respectively along the axial plane. The weight loss for graveyard exposure and accelerated laboratory decay test ranged from 25.14-48.00% and 32.02-44.45% respectively. Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity values range from 29.42-72.68 Nmm² and 3,834.54-8,830.37 Nmm² respectively. The SG values has confirmed the species as a medium density wood and values of other properties tested showed that the wood is dimensional stable and moderately resistance to fungi and termite. Hence, it could be used for light construction purposes such as furniture and other interior woodwork.