The paper presents a series of experimental researches on two operating parameters – the energy consumption and the generated noise level – for two thicknessing machines of different generations: MRG8 (production year: 1972) and Felder D963 (production year: 2013). The aim was to highlight some of the developments registered over four decades by this type of woodworking machines. The results show that, in similar operating conditions, the new machine consume less energy and produce lower noise level.

Heat treatment is an attractive method to enhance wood durability, and valorize local hardwood species with natural low durability. Yet no standard allows the certification of such products. This study first aims to observe the influence of heat treatment on the different mechanical properties. The standard mechanical tests; bending, tension parallel and perpendicular to grain, compression parallel and perpendicular to grain and shear, have been performed on native and heat-treated woods samples. The measurements are then compared to values of EN 338 standard. Results reveal that shear strength is the property most affected by heat treatment and that the modulus of elasticity perpendicular to grain is increased. The values given by EN 338 standard are generally safe with the exception of shear strength which is underestimated by current relationships. It is suggested that new relationships have to be provided for heat-treated wood, taking into account the loss of shear resistance.

The dimensional stability of Gmelina arborea wood was investigated using the modified greenhouse dryer. Daily temperature and relative humidity patterns in the Greenhouse and air-dry shed were assessed to determine their influence on the moisture variation, density, volumetric shrinkage and volumetric swelling of Gmelina arborea after drying for 40 days. Wood samples were obtained from a twenty-year old plantation at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. For laboratory work, 45 freshly cut samples of 20mm x 20mm x 60mm were dried in the oven at 105°C for 24 hours until they attained constant weight while for field experiment, 45 freshly cut samples of 25mm x 75mm x 450mm Gmelina arborea wood were loaded into the Greenhouse dryer and air-dry shed respectively. The result obtained for average daily temperature and relative humidity pattern in the greenhouse for the period was 31.17°C and 77.29% respectively while 22.47°C and 84.57% were recorded for air drying shed. The attainable moisture content for Green house dryer after 40 days of drying was found to be 19.05% while air-dry medium was 31.46% which showed that greenhouse medium dried the wood below fibre saturation point, a better performance over air drying method. Wood samples of Gmelina arborea in the Greenhouse dryer were found to be more stable in terms of swelling and shrinkage attained. The result of the overall mean density for Gmelina arborea wood was found to be 463.89kg/m3 which classified the wood as non-refractory because of its low density.

The paper aims at establishing the drying time of beech wood below fiber saturation point, by taking into consideration the influence of thickness, drying temperature, pre-treatment by steaming and wood type (white wood compared to red heart). In order to achieve relevant results, an experimental study concerning the water vapor transmission rate of bound water in steamed and unsteamed beech wood samples, containing either only white wood or only red heart, was performed. Based on these results, the diffusion coefficients, the drying speed and the drying time were established for each wood grade. Important findings regarding the influence of drying time and wood type were reported.

ract: The paper aims at presenting a systematization of the wood floors, both in terms of the areas of application, and in terms of the fastening solutions and structures in constructions. In this respect, an extensive bibliographic research was achieved, on the researchers’ preoccupations. Starting from the current situation and forecasting the future, from the point of view of the chances held by wooden flooring, in competition with other types of materials, we dare say the wooden flooring or the wood in combination with other materials are not likely to be eliminated from the “civil-engineering market”. The wood floors are likely to develop as an application, especially in the area of the “special floors”, specific to the indoor sports or social halls; and even for some industrial sectors, with strict operating conditions (elasticity, thermal insulation, soundproofing) that cannot be provided by other types of materials or structures. Starting from this last observation, the paper also aims at submitting current opinions with respect to this type of floors, both in the light of the current databases and in the light of the future researches, to this end