No abstract

The evolution of the request in wood production leads to larger stem wood consumption, intensive harvesting and consequently the environmental impact increases. One of the most ignored secondary resources in spite of limited reserves, branch wood could be used in new added value products as an alternative to stem wood, providing its characteristics are known and understood. This paper is part of a larger research project, which here compares the compression strength parallel to the grain of branch wood of maple (Acer spp), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) with compression strength of stem wood. Results were interpreted on micrographs viewed on SEM and Laboval compound microscope. Excepting Scots pine, who's strength was only a half, maple and beech branch wood had similar strengths to stem wood of the same species, which makes them alternative raw materials.

This paper examined some physical and mechanical properties of wood from thin trees of sessile oak collected from thinning operations, in order to recommend this secondary wood resource for potential superior applications (as solid wood panels and furniture components). Swelling, shrinkage, modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compression strength parallel to the grain were examined and compared with data from literature reported for mature trees. The variation of the above characteristics from the base to the top of the bole was also examined. The results have indicated similar strengths for wood from the thin trees compared to mature trees, but a slightly greater dimensional instability, especially in the radial direction, which compensates with a lower anisotropy coefficient. Similar strengths of wood from thin sessile oak trees compared favourably to mature wood recommend it for value added capitalization providing its dimensional variation is controlled.

The paper presents a theoretical method of approaching color composition in furniture design. The method is shown in operation for a customary piece of storage furniture. It allows the designer to emphasize the expressive as well as the functional elements of the composition. The chosen storage furniture, a chest of drawers, represents the general typology of this furniture category.