We organized an international workshop where a group of scientists and experts from Austria, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Slovenia presented examples of the use of beech wood in different periods and environments in the past. The work consisted of lectures, discussions, practical demonstrations, practical work and excursions in Slovenia. The participants visited a forest stand near Kočevje and historical buildings in the Mirna Valley. The Land of hayracks, Šentrupert and the Handicraft center Ribnica organized practical demonstrations and work to better know the traditional wood processing and use. These practices resulted in optimal use of the advantages of beech and other wood species. Since the historical wood utilization was based on a very good knowledge on wood properties, the examples present a challenge and motivation to develop new products and improve the use of beech wood in the future. This was also the primary purpose of the workshop. The workshop was also addressed to local decision makers and the general population in areas with a long tradition of wood processing.
B.01 Organiser of a scientific meeting
COBISS.SI-ID: 2590857Editors of the journal LES / WOOD and co-editors of the thematic number of the journal dedicated to the CRP project Rational use of hardwoods with emphasis on beechwood. The number comprises seven articles presenting the conclusions of a three-year project, which ends in June 2017. The articles follow the objectives of the project.
C.05 Editorial board of a national magazine
COBISS.SI-ID: 2792585Invited guest- associated editor and co-author of "editorial" in special issue of IAWA journal, ISSN 0928-1541, 2016, vol. 37, no. 2.
C.03 Guest-associated editor
COBISS.SI-ID: 2590601The project included work of students through : Doctoral dissertations: 2 Master's theses (Pre-Bologna Scientific Masters): 1 Master thesis (Bologna studies): 9 Graduation (old pre-Bologna programs): 26 Graduation thesis (higher education and university BSc studies): 20 In this woek we investigated the mechanical properties of the felled beech wood trees (Fagus sylvatica L) after ice storm.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 2634121The research work in the doctoral study was conducted on 17 different materials, based on spruce, pine, larch, beech, chestnut and oak wood. In order to improve the wood properties, thermal modification and impregnation with a copper-ethanolamine formulation, tung oil and a natural wax suspension were used. Specimens were exposed to various degradation-aging procedures: white and brown rot decay fungi, blue stain fungi, artificial accelerated weathering and natural weathering in the field test site. Our results indicated that the moisture dynamics of wood changes with ageing and it depends on the wood species and treatment applied. After exposure to various aging procedures, the ageing factors were characterized and the moisture dynamics of wood was evaluated. Mass loss, colour and chemical changes were determined. The moisture dynamics of wood were determined by capillary water uptake, by contact angle determination by the sessile drop method, long-term water uptake and a sorption test. Water exclusion efficacy and moisture performance in most of the materials investigated decreased after ageing. Materials treated with waxes were exceptions. The excellent hydrophobic properties even improved after some ageing procedures. Of all of the materials tested, thermally modified spruce and beech treated with an emulsion of natural waxes performed the best. Oil treated woods also retained good hydrophobicity. We found that it is with laboratory tests possible to determine moisture performance if specimens have been previously aged. Comprehensive moisture performance cannot be elucidated with a single laboratory test, but a variety of laboratory tests need to be applied. In the second part of the research, greater emphasis was placed on nuclear magnetic resonance. The magnetic resonance imaging method was applied to elucidate the moisture dynamics of wood, drying and uptake of preservation treatments in wood. The obtained signal and 3D model of water distribution give information that is much more comprehensive compared to the classic gravimetric method. Magnetic resonance is a suitable method for this research.
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 2782089