This study was conducted to investigate the effects of reaction pH conditions and hardener types on the reactivity, chemical structure and adhesion performance of UF resins. Three different reaction pH conditions, such as traditional alkaline-acid (7.5 → 4.5), weak acid (4.5), and strong acid (1.0), were used to synthesize UF resins which were cured by adding three different hardeners (ammonium chloride, ammonium citrate, and zinc nitrate) to measure adhesion strength. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR) spectroscopies were employed to study chemical structure of the resin prepared under three different reaction pH conditions. Adhesion strength of the resins cured with three different hardeners was determined with lap shear specimens in tension. The gel time of UF resins decreased with an increasing in the amount of both ammonium chloride and ammonium citrate added in the resins. However, the gel time increased for zinc nitrate. Both FT-IR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies showed that the strong reaction pH condition produce uronic structures in UF resin, while both alkaline-acid and weak acid conditions produce quite similar chemical species in the resins. The maximum adhesion strength was occurred with the resin prepared under strong acid pH condition. However, this study indicated that the weak acid reaction condition provide a balance between increasing resin reactivity and improving adhesion strength of UF resin. The measurement of formaldehyde emission from the panels bonded with the UF resins prepared is planned for future work.

The extracellular invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) (Candida utilis) preparation was obtained from the liquid medium after desalting and freeze drying. This prepared enzyme was used for the comparative purification on 4 activated matrices by liquid column affinity chromatography method. In this method there were used controlled porous glass (CPG) silanized covalently activated by keratin, silanized silica gel and silica gel covalently covered by keratin. It was found that the invertase purification process was better using both CPG matrices (silanized CPG and keratin activated CPG) than these with two silica gel supports. Also the elution coefficient of the invertase from the two CPG columns was about 93 to 94%. Two silica gel supports found to be superior in terms of purification efficiency. The invertase purification process was confirmed by PAGE electrophoresis.

Research to discuss the fire performance of materials requires tools for measuring their burning characteristics and validated fire growth models to predict fire behavior of the materials under specific tire scenarios using the measured properties as input for the models. In this study, burning characteristics such as time to ignition, weight loss rate, flame spread, heat release rate, total heat evolved, and effective heat of combustion for four types of wood-based materials were evaluated using the cone calorimeter and inclined panel tests. Time to ignition was affected by not only surface condition and specific gravity of the tested materials but also the type and magnitude of heat source. Results of weight loss rate, measured by inclined panel tests, indicated that heat transfer from the contacted flame used as the heat source into the inner part of the specimen was inversely proportional to specific gravity of material. Flame spread was closely related with ignition time at the near part of burning zone. Under constant and severe external heat flux, there was little difference in weight loss rate and total heat evolved between four types of wood-based panels. More applied heat flux caused by longer ignition time induced a higher first peak value of heat release rate. Burning characteristics data measured in this study can be used effectively as input for fire growth models to predict the fire behavior of materials under specific fire scenarios.

The seven strains, Pseudomonas paucimobilis, Pseudomonas cepacia, Staphylococcus auricularis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Acidovorax spp., Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Actinobacillus capsulatus were tested with three slimicides. Most of the tested bacteria were inhibited with slimicide K (an isothiazolin based compound), even at its low concentration, except for Actinobacillus capsulatus and Staphylococcus auricularis. Both slimicides B (an organic bromine based compound) and S (aldehydes) also couldn't prevent these two strains even at their highest concentration. Five different sizes of plasmid DNA were isolated from Actinobacillus capsulatus. Staphylococcus auricularis, a gram-positive bacteria, showed the slimy substances around its cell distinctively. The results suggest that two strains, Actinobacillus capsulatus, Staphylococcus auricularis, have presumably developed a resistance to the slimicide, by plasmid DNA or slimy substance. Our findings also suggest that not only gram-negative bacteria, but also gram-positive bacteria should not be neglected

This study investigated the thermogravimetric analysis of two types of cured tannin-based adhesives from wattle and pine, with three hardeners of paraformaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine and TN (tris(hydroxyl)nitromethan), at a temperature of 170℃ and a heating rate of 5, 10, 20 and 40℃/min for 10 minutes. The 5 minutes cured wattle tannin-based adhesive with each hardener at 170℃ was also tested to compare the degree of curing. It was found that thermogravimetric analysis could be used to measure the degree of curing of a thermosetting adhesive. The TG-DTG curves of all the adhesive systems were similar and showed three steps in a similar way to a phenolic resin. This means that each adhesive system is well cross-linked. However, a high thermal decomposition rate was shown at 150 to 400℃ in the case of the pine tannin sample with TN (tris(hydroxyl)nitromethan). The Flynn & Wall expression was used to evaluate the activation energy for thermal decomposition. As the level of conversion (𝛼) increased, the activation energy of each system increased. The activation energy of the wattle tannin-based adhesive with paraformaldehyde was higher than the others.

This study was carried out to investigate the constituents of Sophora japonica(Leguminosae) bark. To isolate compounds, bark was extracted with ethanol and then partitioned with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and butanol successively. After partitioned, DCM fraction was subjected to column chromatography with various solvent system in silica gel and/or Sephadex LH-20. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including MS, ¹H, ¹³C and 2D-NMR experiments. Four compounds were isolated from the bark and identified as 3',7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (cyclosin), puerol A, maackiain-3-O-𝛽-D-glucopyranoside (trifolirhizin), and 4', 5, 7-trihydroxyisoflavone (genistein). Among these compounds, cyclosin and trifolirhzin were first isolated from S. japonica.

This study was carried out through scanning electron microscopy to elucidate the mechanism of thickness swelling in wood particle-polypropylene composite which is a typical way of using wood and plastic materials. For this purpose, control particleboards and nonwoven web composites from wood particle and polypropylene fiber formulations of 100:0, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 were manufactured at target density levels of 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 g/cm³. Their water absorption and thickness swelling were tested according to ASTMD 1037-93 (1995). To elucidate thickness swelling mechanism of composite through the observation of morphological change of internal structures, the specimens before and after thickness swelling test by 24-hour immersion in water were used in scanning electron microscopy. From the scanning electron microscopy, thickness swelling of composite was thought to be caused by the complicated factors of degree of built-up internal stresses by mat compression and/or amount of wood particles encapsulated with molten polypropylene fibers during hot pressing. In the composites with wood particle contents of 50 to 60% at target densities of 0.5 to 0.8 g/cm³ and with wood particle content of 70% at target densities of 0.5 to 0.7 g/cm³, thickness swellings seemed to be largely dependent upon the restricted water uptake by encapsulated wood particles with molten polypropylene fibers. Thickness swelling in the composite with wood particle content of 70% at target density of 0.8 g/cm³, however, was thought to be principally dependent upon the increased springback phenomenon by built-up internal stresses of compressed mat.

EYM (European Yield Model), which was adopted in NDS (National Design Specification for wood construction), has been used in Korea without any verification of the analysis of bolted wood connections. In the case of applying lumber from domestic small diameter logs, however, there are some problems with the direct application of EYM ; 1) relatively low dowel bearing strength and dimensional stability due to a large amount of immature wood, 2) effect of MC (moisture contents) on the dowel bearing strength of wood and the yield load of a bolted connection. To evaluate the strength properties of bolted connections with lumber from domestic small diameter logs, effect of MC on the dowel bearing strength of wood was investigated and double shear bolted connection tests were performed. As the MC of wood increased, the dowel bearing strength was linearly reduced, even under 19% MC, which showed that adjustment, not considered in NDS, was required. Double shear bolted connection tests indicated that effect of MC on yield load should be considered in order to determine design value.

The effects of phenol during ethylene carbonate (EC) liquefaction of pine bark in the presence of methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as a catalyst were investigated. Liquefaction of pine bark using EC in the presence of acid catalyst was very difficult in comparison to wood. Mixing ethylene glycol (EG) with EC improved the liquefaction process, but the maximum liquefaction yield did not exceed 78%. Mixing 20~30% phenol with EC was very effective for the liquefaction and the residue was remarkably decreased. More than 95% of liquefaction was achieved when about 30% phenol was mixed with EC. The reaction conditions, such as catalyst concentration, liquefaction temperature and time, type of catalyst and liquefying agent, had a great influence on the liquefaction process. The results of the average molecular weights and the amount of combined phenols for the liquefied products indicated that sulfuric acid (SA) causes high condensation reactions compared to MSA.

In order to find out impact insulation properties, various types of current radiant floor heating systems and light-framed floors that are used in light-framed residential buildings were evaluated for two types of impact sources at the same time. Sound Pressure Level (SPL) was different from each impact sources for those spectrum patterns and peaks. In case of light-framed floor framework, the excitation position and the assumed effective vibrating area have effects on sound pressure level but it is not considerable, and Normalized SPL was reduced for each frequency by increasing the bending rigidity of joist. The mortar layer in the radiant heating system had relatively high density and high impedance, therefore, it distributed much of the impact power when it was excited, and reduced the Normalized SPL considerably. Nevertheless, Increasing a thickness of mortar layer had little influence on SPL. Ceiling components reduced the sound pressure level about 5~25 dB for each frequency. Namely, it had excellent sound insulation properties in a range from 200 to 4,000 Hz frequency for both heavy and lightweight impact sources. Also, there was a somewhat regular sound insulation pattern for each center frequency. The resilient channel reduced the SPL about 2~11 dB, irrelevant to impact source. Consequently, current radiant floor heating systems which were established in light-framed residential buildings have quite good impact sound insulation properties for both impact sources.

This study was carried out to investigate the dimensional stability of bentwoods by three treatments: steaming, urethane varnish coating, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. Bentwood processing employed a bending-jig with only 4 cm radius of curvature (ROC). The used species were bitter wood (Picrasma quassioides), painted maple (Acer mono), and birch (Betula schmidtiii). The bending properties of these are well-known in bentwood production (Jung et al., 2002). The bentwoods were treated repeated at room temperature [20℃, RH 80% (12 hours) and 40℃ under RH 10% (12 hours)]. To estimate the dimensional stability of bentwoods, we measured the radius of curvature and end-distance. The best results could be attained with PEG treatment. Steaming was the worst treatment. Comparing the properties of the different species, the dimensional stability of bitter wood was excellent. It was concluded that the steaming treatment was unsuitable for dimensional stability of bentwoods.

This study was carried out to estimate the property of dimensional stability of heat compression of italian poplar wood with low density. Firstly, two levels of pressure conditions were applied using the closed and open-press system. The thermal treatment temperatures were 180℃ and 200℃, respectively. Water absorption tests were conducted in water bath at 25℃ and 100℃ for 35 hours and 1 hour, respectively. The compression rates of wood were 47 percent, 60 percent, and 73 percent, respectively. From these tests, it was found that the dimensional stability of the closed-press system was superior to that of the open-press system. Furthermore, the dimensional stability of compressed wood in the closed-press system was better at 200℃ than 180℃. In compression rate, dimensional stability of 73 percent compression rate was the best result. Considering these results, the best conditions for the dimensional stability of compressed wood were those of the closed-compressing system at high temperatures above 200℃ and larger compression rate. Therefore, it was concluded that the dimensional stability of wood is improved at higher temperature and larger deformation.

This study was carried out to obtain basic information on racking resistance of shear walls and the factors affecting racking resistance of shear walls. Shear walls constructed by larch lumber nominal 50 mm × 100 mm framing and various sheathing materials were tested by applying monotonic and cyclic load functions. Shear walls with various stud spacing such as 305 mm, 406 mm, and 610 mm were tested under both of monotonic and cyclic loads and shear walls with various aspect (height-width) ratios were tested under cyclic load functions. The effect of hold-down connectors in shear walls was also tested under cyclic load functions. Racking resistance of shear walls has very close linear relation with stud spacing and width of shear walls. The ultimate racking strength of shear walls was reached at around or before the displacement of 20 mm. It was proposed in this study that the minimum racking strength and minimum width for shear wall be 500 kgf and 900 mm, respectively. Load-displacement curves obtained by racking tests under monotonic load functions can be represented by three straight line segments. Under cyclic load functions, envelope curves can be divided into three sections that can be represented by straight lines and the third section showed almost constant or decreasing slope.

Nail withdrawal tests were conducted on clear wood of domestic small diameter logs. Nails were driven into the cross and longitudinal sections of each specimen, then nail withdrawal tests were performed. Nail withdrawal loads are strongly dependent on the direction of nail positions. The average load values for the nail withdrawal both in cross section and longitudinal section are higher in high specific gravity (SG) wood of sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima Carr.) than those in low SG wood of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) and pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.). The average ratio of the nail withdrawal loads for side-grain and end-grain are higher in the low SG wood than that in the high SG of wood. Both linear and non-linear regression analyses were conducted on nail withdrawal load with SG, good correlations were obtained between nail withdrawal load and SG.

Mycelial growth of L. edodes by pretreatments of softwood was studied on a sawdust medium. The sawdust used was from the following softwood species : Larix leptolepis, Pinus densiflora and Pinus koraiensis. The pretreatment consisted of cold-water (48 h), hot-water (3 h) and steam extractions (3 h) at a ratio of 500 g : 3,000 mL (sawdust : distilled water). The sawdust medium was a mixture of 76% sawdust, 20% rice bran, 3% glucose, 0.4% potassium nitrate and 0.6% calcium carbonate. Following sawdust pretreatments proved most suitable : L. leptolepis (steam extraction), P. densiflora (hot-water extraction) and P. koraiensis (hot-water extraction). Mycelial growth on P. koraiensis sawdust increased in proportion to an increase in hot-water extraction time. Mycelial growth was optimum on the sawdust extracted for 12 hours, hot-water extraction beyond this period proved unsuitable. With the exception of P. densiflora at 100 ㎍/mL, antifungal activity occurred in every sample. Maximum inhibition of mycelial growth was obtained from following concentration of hot-water extractives : P. densiflora (10⁴ ㎍/mL) and P. koraiensis (10⁴ ㎍/mL). This study has provided useful preliminary information for the cultivation of L. edodes.