Article
Forestry
Brendan Nicholas Marais, Philip Bester van Niekerk, Christian Brischke
Summary: A dose-response model was developed to describe the decay of European beech wood specimens exposed to soil contact, incorporating soil-level variables. The model, developed from laboratory data, showed conservative predictions of wood decay and will be further developed for outdoor field-trial datasets to predict service-life of wooden elements in soil contact.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Philipp L. Bykov, Vladimir A. Gordin, Lydia L. Tarasova, Evgenii V. Vasilenko
Summary: This study proposes a combined objective analysis method for available water content based on measurements from agrometeorological stations and remote sensing data. Two neural networks are used for analysis, and optimal interpolation is used for assimilation of ground-based data.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jacek Baranski, Aleksandra Suchta, Sylwia Baranska, Ivan Klement, Tatiana Vilkovska, Peter Vilkovsky
Summary: The impregnation process of pine wood samples was found to have a significant impact on electrical resistance changes and moisture-content measurement accuracy. Impregnated wood samples with copper salt showed higher conductivity compared to nonimpregnated samples, especially when the wood moisture content was significantly above the Fibre Saturation Point (FSP).
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Michele Libralato, Alessandra De Angelis, Onorio Saro, Menghao Qin, Carsten Rode
Summary: Wood decay risk assessment of building envelopes is commonly performed using Heat and Moisture Transfer (HMT) simulations and damage models. Considering hysteresis in HMT simulations can have a significant impact on the accuracy of risk assessment, highlighting the importance of choosing the correct sorption curve for accurate results.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Remote Sensing
Brendan N. Marais, Marian Schoenauer, Philip Bester van Niekerk, Jonas Niklewski, Christian Brischke
Summary: This article presents a model to predict the time until mechanical failure of in-ground wooden test specimens resulting from fungal decay. The model utilizes remotely sensed data and laboratory-developed dose-response models to estimate wood decay progression. The study finds that dose, a mechanistic weighting of daily exposure conditions over time, is a better predictor of wood decay than exposure time alone. The availability of remotely sensed data combined with wood specimen data holds promise for predicting in-ground wood decay.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sonisa Sharma, Kundan Dhakal
Summary: Assessing wildfire danger is crucial for reducing catastrophic losses, and the use of soil moisture information and remote-sensing data can effectively predict and manage wildfire risks. However, sensors capable of acquiring higher technical specifications are still needed to obtain more comprehensive data for rapid assessment and control of wildfires.
Article
Forestry
Christian Brischke, Gry Alfredsen, Miha Humar, Elena Conti, Laurie Cookson, Lukas Emmerich, Per Otto Flaete, Stefania Fortino, Lesley Francis, Ulrich Hundhausen, Ilze Irbe, Kordula Jacobs, Morten Klamer, Davor Krzisnik, Bostjan Lesar, Eckhard Melcher, Linda Meyer-Veltrup, Jeffrey J. Morrell, Jack Norton, Sabrina Palanti, Gerald Presley, Ladislav Reinprecht, Tripti Singh, Rod Stirling, Martti Venalainen, Mats Westin, Andrew H. H. Wong, Ed Suttie
Summary: This study focused on durability-based designs with timber and utilized a material resistance model to predict decay rates in above-ground situations. The research surveyed laboratory and field test data globally to establish material-specific resistance dose values and adapt the model to in-ground exposure. The study demonstrated the relationship between decay rates in- and above-ground, the predictive power of laboratory indicators, and a method for incorporating these findings into a service life prediction tool.
Article
Forestry
Maria Sudakova, Eugenia Terentieva, Alexey Kalashnikov, Ivan Seregin, Alexey Yaroslavtsev
Summary: Ground penetrating radar is a non-invasive technology that is sensitive to changes in water saturation, making it suitable for mapping moisture content variations. In this study, GPR tomography was used to estimate moisture content in small-leaved lime and Scots pine trunks. Additional information was derived using GPR zero-offset method.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yichuan Zhang, Lifang Qiao, Chaoping Chen, Li Tian, Xiaozhen Zheng
Summary: This study aimed to select suitable Organic Ground Cover (OGC) materials for urban green spaces in semi-humid areas of China. The results showed that both 5 cm and 10 cm thick OGC layers can increase soil moisture content, with differences in the effect among different materials being relatively insignificant.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jing Guo, Yan Tang, Yongji Wu, Chen Zhu, Jie Huang
Summary: In this article, a novel corrosion-resistant, embeddable open-end coaxial cable soil moisture sensor is proposed and demonstrated. This sensor utilizes microwave resonators constructed with two reflectors along the coaxial line. The resonance frequency of the coaxial cable resonator is highly dependent on the fringe capacitance, which changes with soil moisture levels. A mathematical model and proof of concept for soil moisture measurement are provided, with experimental results showing high sensitivity. The robustness, ease of manufacture, chemical resistance, low cost, and suitability for long-term and industrial applications make this innovative sensor ideal for harsh environments and advancing chemical trace sensing.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego Bueso, Maria Piles, Philippe Ciais, Jean-Pierre Wigneron, lvaro Moreno-Martinez, Gustau Camps-Valls
Summary: This article introduces an observation-based methodology to capture evidence of global terrestrial ecosystem changes and attribute them to natural or human activities. The authors use satellite data to construct maps of changes in soil and vegetation water content and biomass, and combine them with land cover change, vegetation greenness, and precipitation variability to assess their relationship with major documented ecosystem changes. The results reveal patterns of change in different regions and classify them according to human activity drivers.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Vinod Vinodkumar, Imtiaz Dharssi, Marta Yebra, Paul Fox-Hughes
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between live fuel moisture content (LFMC) and soil moisture (SM) in Australia, showing variations in relationship strength depending on location, vegetation type, and soil depth. Soil moisture was identified as a leading indicator of LFMC at all sites. The results suggest a modeling strategy to improve spatial and temporal forecasting of LFMC for fire management applications.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jose-Ramon Aira-Zunzunegui, Maria Sanchez-Aparicio, Luis Javier Sanchez-Aparicio, Javier Pinilla-Melo, Soledad Garcia-Morales
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of terrestrial laser scanning technology to detect moisture content in timber structures. An extensive experimental campaign was conducted under laboratory conditions, where wood samples were digitized using the Faro Focus 120 phase-shift laser scanner. The reflectance values of each 3D point cloud were related to the moisture content of the samples. The results suggest that the laser scanner could serve as a potential non-destructive tool for diagnosing wooden construction systems, as it can detect deformations and infer moisture content in specific areas of wood elements.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Deborah S. Page-Dumroese, Martin F. Jurgensen, Chris A. Miller, Matt D. Busse, Michael P. Curran, Thomas A. Terry, Joanne M. Tirocke, James G. Archuleta, Michael Murray
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of four different soil disturbance treatments on organic matter decomposition in mineral soil at seven forest study sites in Canada and the United States. The research found that soil compaction treatment increased decomposition rates in some sites, but overall, there were inconsistent trends in wood stake decay across different sites and treatments.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Jonas Niklewski, Philip Bester van Niekerk, Christian Brischke, Eva Fruhwald Hansson
Summary: The study evaluates the feasibility of using a semi-empirical moisture model for a digital service-life design framework for wood, finding its performance sufficient for application with main uncertainty stemming from the choice of wood decay model. A new method combining pre-calculated time series, empirical equations, and interpolation is proposed for predicting wood service life, providing decision support for architects and engineers with less uncertainty than existing guidelines.
Review
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Brendan Nicholas Marais, Christian Brischke, Holger Militz
Summary: Factors such as temperature, moisture, wood-decaying fungi, bacteria, subterranean insects, and marine borers are important in the degradation of wood used in ground and water contact. The durability of wood is influenced by its inherent characteristics, including heartwood and sapwood differences. Wood durability testing methods, classification, and models for regional-level modeling are discussed.
WOOD MATERIAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Juris Grinins, Vladimirs Biziks, Brendan Nicholas Marais, Janis Rizikovs, Holger Militz
Summary: The study found that the weathering stability and biological durability of birch plywood were significantly improved after treatment with different concentrations of phenol-formaldehyde resin, and the resin with the lowest mass loss was at a concentration of 20%.
Article
Forestry
Christian Brischke, Gry Alfredsen, Miha Humar, Elena Conti, Laurie Cookson, Lukas Emmerich, Per Otto Flaete, Stefania Fortino, Lesley Francis, Ulrich Hundhausen, Ilze Irbe, Kordula Jacobs, Morten Klamer, Davor Krzisnik, Bostjan Lesar, Eckhard Melcher, Linda Meyer-Veltrup, Jeffrey J. Morrell, Jack Norton, Sabrina Palanti, Gerald Presley, Ladislav Reinprecht, Tripti Singh, Rod Stirling, Martti Venalainen, Mats Westin, Andrew H. H. Wong, Ed Suttie
Summary: The study aimed to validate and optimize a resistance model for a wider range of wood species, including very durable species, thermally and chemically modified wood, and preservative treated wood. The expanded durability range and use of diverse data sources led to a decrease in the predictive power of the model compared to the original.
Article
Forestry
Gry Alfredsen, Christian Brischke, Brendan N. Marais, Robert F. A. Stein, Katrin Zimmer, Miha Humar
Summary: This study compared the decay fungi resistance and moisture performance of three European reference wood species, finding minimal differences between them. The research highlighted the importance of defined boundaries for density and annual ring width when comparing and conducting experiments.
Review
Forestry
Philip Bester van Niekerk, Christian Brischke, Jonas Niklewski
Summary: Wood, a renewable resource, shows promise as a construction material in the growing bio-based economy. Understanding the dynamics of wood usability is crucial for efficient utilization in the built environment. Durability, as a key property to consider, and the selection of suitable modelling approaches can help extend the service life of wood components.
Article
Forestry
Christian Brischke, Nicklas Von Boch-Galhau, Susanne Bollmus
Summary: Different sterilization techniques and methods of determining oven-dry weight did not show significant differences in mass loss during wood block tests. Non-sterilized specimens exhibited reduced mass loss, attributed to inhibition of test fungus by mould growth. Oven-drying wood species with volatile compounds like Scots pine led to decreased biological durability, which should be avoided or adjusted to kiln-drying temperatures applied in practice.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Brendan Nicholas Marais, Philip Bester van Niekerk, Christian Brischke
Summary: A dose-response model was developed to describe the decay of European beech wood specimens exposed to soil contact, incorporating soil-level variables. The model, developed from laboratory data, showed conservative predictions of wood decay and will be further developed for outdoor field-trial datasets to predict service-life of wooden elements in soil contact.
Article
Forestry
Tim Koddenberg, Christian Brischke, Lukas Emmerich, Annika B. E. Kick
Summary: This study investigated the anatomy and discolouration of bloodwood due to leaching. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography were used to describe the anatomical characteristics of the wood. Colourimetric analyses and spectrophotometric measurements were conducted to determine the colour change and extinction of the leachate. The results showed that the most significant colour change occurred during the first leaching cycle.
Article
Forestry
Sheikh Ali Ahmed, Reza Hosseinpourpia, Christian Brischke, Stergios Adamopoulos
Summary: This study examined the anatomical and performance properties of two different rattan species with varying cane diameters, showing that C. zollingeri with a 20 mm diameter displayed the highest density, hydrophobicity, and durability.
Article
Forestry
Hannes Stolze, Mathias Schuh, Sebastian Kegel, Connor Fuerkoetter-Ziegenbein, Christian Brischke, Holger Militz
Summary: This study simulated varying ambient climates in a test building by changing temperature and relative humidity to investigate the moisture content changes of beech glued laminated timber and the effects of different bonding-wood moisture levels on delamination. The research found that the applied adhesive systems showed similar delamination resistance after variations in relative humidity, meeting the normative requirements.
Article
Forestry
Dennis Jones, Davor Krzisnik, Miha Hocevar, Andreja Zagar, Miha Humar, Carmen-Mihaela Popescu, Maria-Cristina Popescu, Christian Brischke, Lina Nunes, Simon F. Curling, Graham Ormondroyd, Dick Sandberg
Summary: This study combines the use of amines and thermal modification in the treatment of spruce and beech wood. Preliminary data on modifications in wood structure were obtained through chemical treatments and thermal modification, and evaluated through infrared spectroscopy and biological studies.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andreas Buschalsky, Christian Brischke, Kim Christian Klein, Thomas Kilian, Holger Militz
Summary: Knowledge about the resistance of wood-polymer composites to biological attack is crucial for outdoor applications. This study questions the necessity of a pre-weathering step in biological durability tests based on the examination of different WPC variants under laboratory conditions.
Article
Forestry
Christian Brischke, Kira Wippermann
Summary: Windthrow and other calamities pose challenges for forestry companies, and solutions for storage are needed to counteract oversupply and falling prices. Foil piles offer a viable option, especially when wet storage is not possible. A case study conducted on Norway spruce wood showed that quality losses in stored wood were related to the atmosphere inside the pile and damage to the foil. Quick action, careful sealing, and support for monitoring and repairs are essential to prevent quality losses.
Article
Forestry
Christian Brischke, Marten Sievert, Max Schilling, Susanne Bollmus
Summary: Recently, European standards have allowed for classification of the durability of chemically modified wood and preservative-treated wood. However, there is a lack of representative sampling and testing methods. This study aimed to test full-size products instead of sampling from areas of varying durability. The decayed cross-sectional area was determined by incubating untreated and treated wood specimens with brown and white rot fungi. Spatial distribution of decay and wood moisture content was investigated.
