Abstract The objective of this research is to evaluate the possibility of use of tropical hardwood species (Amburana cearensis and Cedrella fissilis) for grilling plank production. Physical, chemical and organoleptic properties were evaluated and compared with properties of a well-used wood specie for grilling plank across Europe and USA, Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). For chemical analysis, three techniques were used: hydro distillation, soxhlet and head space. Normality test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the comparison between Thuja plicata and tropical hardwoods. The results of organoleptic, chemical and statistical analysis demonstrated the possibility of use of Amburana cearensis and Cedrella fissilis on grilling plank production, with no volatile compound present in these species being toxic, low apparent density and Nerolidol presence, chemical compound used as flavoring agent, enabling their use as grilling planks.

RESUMO Neste trabalho avaliou-se numericamente a influência do módulo de elasticidade paralelo às fibras da madeira na estabilidade de arcos treliçados, considerando uma análise não linear geométrica baseada no Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). Essa abordagem foi realizada conforme uma formulação posicional do MEF, atribuindo-se os nós da estrutura como variáveis principais do sistema de equações não lineares, cuja resolução foi alcançada pelo método de Newton-Raphson. Ao todo, sete modelos de arco foram avaliados adotando-se madeiras coníferas e folhosas, com propriedades definidas segundo as classes de resistência da norma brasileira ABNT NBR 7190. Subrotinas foram desenvolvidas em linguagem MATLAB para resolução do sistema de equações não lineares e processamento da análise, incluindo a representação gráfica dos resultados e configurações do arco treliçado. Valores de esforços internos e deslocamentos foram determinados, assim como as forças de instabilidade dos arcos treliçados. Verificou-se que a força de instabilidade do arco constituído pela madeira folhosa mais rígida (D60) foi aproximadamente igual a 700% da força de instabilidade referente à classe conífera C20, e equivalente a 257,8% da força associada à classe folhosa D20. Concluiu-se que o módulo de elasticidade apresentou influência significativa no comportamento não linear geométrico do arco treliçado de madeira. Além disso, a análise não linear geométrica possibilitou o cálculo de parâmetros mais precisos e a verificação da estabilidade do sistema estrutural.

ABSTRACT In this work, it was numerically evaluated the influence of the modulus of elasticity parallel to the wood grain on the stability of trussed arches considering a nonlinear geometric analysis based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). This approach was carried out according to a positional formulation of the FEM, considering the structural nodes as main variables of the nonlinear equations system, whose resolution was obtained using the Newton-Raphson method. Altogether, seven arch models were evaluated, consisting of coniferous and hardwoods, with properties defined according to the strength classes of the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 7190. The subroutines were written in MATLAB to solve the system of nonlinear equations and perform the analysis, including the graphical representation of the results and configurations of the trussed arch. Internal loads and displacements were obtained, in addition to the instability loads of the trussed arches. It was found that the instability load of the arch made with the stiffest hardwood (D60) was approximately equal to 700% of the instability load of the C20 coniferous class and equivalent to 257.8% of the D20 hardwood class-related load. It was verified that the modulus of elasticity significantly influences the nonlinear geometric behavior of the timber trussed arch. Furthermore, the nonlinear geometric analysis allowed calculating more accurate parameters and the verification of the stability of the structural system.

Abstract The present study aimed to characterize medium density particleboard manufactured with CCB treated particles of Pinus sp. wood specie and alternative mixed vegetal oil-base bicomponent polyurethane resin. For this, three different resin concentrations (10 %, 12 % and 15 %) were used in combination with the presence or absence of the CCB preservative, resulting in six distinct treatments. The particleboards were produced according the Brazilian Standard - NBR and evaluated according European standards - EN. The results met the requirements of NBR and EN. The technical feasibility of making panels with those materials used were proved and the quality of the product according to its performance were verified, indicating the possibility to use alternative bicomponent polyurethane resin from mix vegetal oil. Statistical analysis demonstrated that adhesive and preservative factors and the interaction between them were significant on physical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: This research intends to evaluate the relation, aided by the Brazilian Standard and statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and bootstrap technique), between physical and mechanical properties of Cambará-Rosa wood harvested from three different regions: Vera, Mucajaí and South Rondonia. In addition, the possibility to estimate (regression models) physical and mechanical properties in function of apparent density was analyzed. Different climate and soil conditions which tree thrives may influence its growth and, consequently, its properties values. The results of ANOVA indicated an elevated equivalence index for all three regions. The bootstrap technique led to similar results for Vera and Mucajai regions, and for South Rondonia region, equivalence index equals to 89 %. The ANOVA results to estimate physical and mechanical properties in function of apparent density indicated that it is not possible to perform such estimates for Cambará-Rosa wood species.

Resumo Neste trabalho foi investigada a influência da inclusão de frações mássicas de cimento Portland (CP-V ARI) [0%, 10%, 20% e 30%] a título de simular parcelas de resíduo de construção civil que tenha frações cimentícias não hidratadas na produção de painéis de partículas compostos de madeira de Pinus sp. e resina poliuretana à base de mamona, buscando avaliar o potencial de painéis produzidos com adição de materiais granulares como resíduos de construção civil. A caracterização física e mecânica de painéis MDP com adição de cimento foi feita com o auxílio da norma brasileira NBR 14810 e da análise de variância (ANOVA), sendo analisadas as propriedades físicas e mecânicas. Foram fabricados 4 painéis de 400 mm x 400 mm x 10 mm com partículas de Pinus sp. e resina poliuretana à base de óleo de mamona com teor de adesivo igual a 10% em relação à massa seca de partículas, para cada tratamento, totalizando 16 painéis. Para cada painel foram retirados 3 corpos de prova (CP) para avaliação das propriedades físicas e mecânicas. A adição de frações mássicas de cimento acima de 10% impactou negativamente as propriedades mecânicas dos painéis, por ter diminuído os valores de MOE e MOR. As propriedades de densidade, absorção e inchamento se mantiveram dentro dos requisitos da norma.

Abstract This research study investigates the influence of the inclusion of Portland cement mass fractions (CP-V ARI) [0%, 10%, 20% and 30%] on the production of composite wood panels made with Pinus sp. and castor oil-based polyurethane resin, with the aim of evaluating the potential of panels produced with the addition of granular materials as construction waste. The characterisation was performed with the aid of the Brazilian standard NBR 14810 and an analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysing the physical and mechanical properties. Four 400 mm x 400 mm x 10 mm panels were manufactured for each treatment, totalling 16 panels. For each panel, 3 test specimens (CP) were taken for an evaluation of their physical and mechanical properties. The addition of mass fractions of cement larger than 10% are detrimental to the mechanical properties of the panels, reducing the MOE and MOR values. The density, absorption and swelling properties remained within the requirements of the standard.

Abstract: Wood strength values are calculated based on the characteristic value, which corresponds to the 5 % percentile of a given probability distribution model. For a few number of samples (12 samples), the Brazilian standard establishes an estimator of the characteristic compressive strength parallel to grain of the wood, which may provide a different result when compared with the characteristic value coming from a suitable probability distribution model. Considering the strength results in the parallel compression to the grain of 45 wood species of the hardwood group, Normal, LogNormal, Weibull and Exponential probability distribution models were used for each specie with the purpose of determining the one with the highest adhesion. Calculated the characteristic values by the best probability model distribution, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed in the estimation of the characteristic value of compressive strength, making it possible to identify the most significant terms of the models as well as the quality of the adjustment obtained on such models. The proposed regression model (R2 adj= 96,56 %) proved to be equivalent to the empirical model of the Brazilian standard. The model proposed here only depends on the mean and the lowest value obtained from the compressive strength in the parallel direction to the grain.

Resumo Dentre os fatores envolvidos na fabricação dos painéis destaca-se o tipo adesivo, em que o uso de novos pode resultar em boas propriedades aos materiais fabricados. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar propriedades físicas e mecânicas de painéis de partículas fabricados com madeiras de Pinus sp. e de Eucalyptus grandis e unidas com resina poliuretana monocomponente derivada do óleo de mamona, cujo desenvolvimento desse adesivo vem sendo sistematicamente aperfeiçoado por diversos fabricantes. Foram produzidos dez painéis para cada espécie de madeira, ambos fabricados sobre as mesmas condições experimentais: 640 g de partículas (teor de umidade próximo de 10%), teor de adesivo de 15% sobre a massa de partículas, 10 min de tempo de prensagem a 100 ºC sob pressão de 4,0 MPa, consistindo nos mesmos parâmetros utilizados na fabricação de painéis de partículas de outras pesquisas, mas com o uso da resina bicomponente à base de mamona. Os painéis foram caracterizados segundo premissas e métodos de cálculo da norma brasileira NBR 14810-2 (2013), sendo utilizadas também normas internacionais para a verificação do requisitos. Com exceção da resistência ao arrancamento de parafuso, as demais propriedades obtidas superaram os requisitos dos documentos normativos utilizados.

Abstract One of the main factors involved in the manufacture of panels is the adhesive type, in which the use of new adhesives can offer positive properties to the manufactured materials. This research study aimed to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made from Pinus sp. and Eucalyptus grandis wood adhered with monocomponent castor oil-based polyurethane resin, whose development has been systematically improved by several manufacturers. Ten particleboards were produced for each wood species evaluated, both manufactured using the same parameters and under the same experimental conditions: 640g of particles (approximately 10% moisture content), 15% adhesive content based on the particle mass, 10 min press time at 100ºC under a pressure of 4.0 MPa, consisting of the same parameters used in the manufacture of particleboards adopted in other research studies, but produced with bicomponent castor oil-based polyurethane resin. The panels were characterized according to the assumptions and methods of calculation specified in the Brazilian standard NBR 14810-2 (2013), using also the international standards for the verification of the requirements. With the exception of the screw pulling strength, the other properties obtained exceeded the requirements of the normative standards used.

Rigid particles have been incorporated into laminated composites, especially to enhance their bending performance attributed to the stiffening of the matrix phase (i) and the increased interlaminar shear resistance (ii). In order to better evaluate the improvement mechanism provided by the particulate inclusions, this work investigates the incorporation of micro-sized silica on the top, bottom and both surfaces of glass fibre laminates, mitigating the interference of the interlocking effect. Three-point bending, and impact tests are performed to evaluate the hybrid glass fibre composites containing 5, 7.5 and 10 wt% of micro silica. In addition, the effect of the micro silica particles into epoxy polymers is verified under tensile, compressive and abrasion tests. A finite element model is developed to simulate the three-point bending test and to better assess the behaviour of the composite laminate. Although silica particles lead to increased compressive modulus of the epoxy polymers, their positive effect on glass fibre composites under flexural loads is more evident when placed on the bottom side of the laminates subjected to the maximum tensile stress. The incorporation of 7.5 wt% silica microparticles at the bottom surface of the laminates achieves higher flexural strength and lower impact resistance.

A multilayer particleboard panels, consisted of sugarcane bagasse reinforced composite as core material and hybrid composites made with Pinus taeda particles and Malva fibres as facing materials, were designed and evaluated in this work. Tukey test was used to identify the effect of the facing material, considering different combinations of Pinus taeda particles and Malva fibres, on the bulk density, thickness swelling, flexural strength, flexural stiffness and X-ray densitometry. A spray-up process was used to spread castor oil based polyurethane resin upon the dispersive phases followed by a hot compaction at 100oC. The particleboards were classified as medium density panels in accordance to the Brazilian, American and Canadian Standards. All treatments reached the minimum strength except for elastic modulus. Tukey test demonstrated the flexural strength and modulus responses for all treatments were statistically similar. Hybrid particleboard consisted of 75% of Pinus taeda wood and 25% of Malva fibres revealed a promising sustainable material for furniture industries, combining strength, low-cost and lower thickness swelling values.

This work reports a simple and reproducible method for silica-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanostructures by the sol-gel method using tetraethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as organosilicon precursors of silica. The synthetic method is based on a noncovalent functionalization of the MWCNTs by the adsorption of the monolayers of different polyelectrolytes, such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate), which are positively and negatively charged, respectively. The role of these polyelectrolytes is the dispersion and interaction with both the nanotubes and the silicon precursors, influencing directly the silica shell growth. Two different morphology types of the silica-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites were obtained on multiwalled carbon nanotubes. In both case the samples displayed uniformity in the silica layer. Finally, the investigation of the photoluminescence spectra of the samples suggested the presence of some incorrect oxygen bond, or vacancy of oxygen or even presence of nitrogen in the network, which is a typical feature of materials prepared by the sol-gel process at room temperature.

ABSTRACT Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibres have been extensively investigated as a promising replacing material for synthetic ones, such as the glass fibre reinforced composites. The length of natural fibres depends not only on the plant species, but also on the extraction processing. The heterogeneity of natural fibres, in terms of length, can be considered a problem for some industrial applications. A little amount of work has been conducted towards the use of short natural fibres in composite materials. In order to balance the reduction of strength due to the use of short length fibres, ceramic particles can be incorporated. This paper describes the experimental characterization of hybrid biocomposites consisted of epoxy polymer, short random sisal fibres and Portland cement particles. A full factorial design was performed to investigate the effect of the factors and levels, such as fibre length (4 mm and 8 mm) and Portland cement inclusion (0wt%, 5wt% and 10wt%) on the following properties, flexural modulus and strength (via three-point bending test), damping ratio, apparent porosity and water absorption. The fibre volume fraction was kept constant at 25%. The Design of Experiment (DoE) analysis revealed the “Fibre length” factor does not affect the responses. The interaction “Fibre length and Cement inclusion” affected only the stiffness. Portland cement particles statistically revealed a noticeable contribution to the apparent porosity and water absorption. The presence of cement particles at 5wt% provided not only the increase in the damping ratio response, but also the reduction in the flexural strength and stiffness.

RESUMO Este trabalho objetivou apresentar uma metodologia numérica de cálculo, fundamentada no Método dos Elementos Finitos e no Método dos Mínimos Quadrados, para obtenção do módulo de elasticidade longitudinal em vigas roliças de madeira de dimensões estruturais, considerando a influência das irregularidades na geometria das peças por aproximações lineares ao longo dos elementos finitos. Além do modelo numérico desenvolvido (1D), foram utilizados em conjunto outros dois, um analítico (simplificado 1D), que considera um único valor de diâmetro (geometria cilíndrica), medido no ponto médio da peça, e outro numérico (3D), que também permite delinear, de forma mais precisa, a geometria dos elementos estruturais roliços, possibilitando verificar as diferenças entre ambos. Para tanto, as vigas foram ensaiadas segundo o modelo de flexão estática a três pontos, sendo testadas 24 peças roliças de madeira da espécie Pinus elliottii, com comprimento médio de 630 cm, diâmetro médio das peças de 21 cm, madeira verde (saturada), conicidade média de 6% e fator de forma médio da seção de 0,82. Os resultados do intervalo de confiança entre os módulos de elasticidade do modelo numérico 1D (Eo) e analítico (Edeq) revelaram a equivalência estatísticas entre as metodologias, justificadas pela pequena conicidade das peças avaliadas, podendo ser diferentes para outras conicidades. O emprego dos módulos de elasticidade obtidos do modelo numérico 1D nas simulações dos elementos roliços em três dimensões conduziram a valores de deslocamentos equivalentes aos obtidos nas experimentações, comprovando a eficiência do modelo numérico 1D, mostrando ser este último mais interessante por exigir menor esforço computacional.

ABSTRACT This research aimed to present a numerical methodology of calculation, based on the Finite Element Method and the Least Squares Method, to determine de longitudinal modulus of elasticity in structural round timber beams, considering the irregularities in the geometry of the elements by linear approximation along the finite elements. In addition with the numerical model (1D), together, two others were used, one analytical (1D simplified), which considers a single value of diameter (cylindrical geometry), measured at the midpoint of the elements, and another numerical model (3D), allows more accurately to delineate the geometry of the element, enabling check the difference between them. Therefore, the beams were evaluated according to the static three-point bending test, being tested twenty four elements of Pinus elliottii wood species, with average length of 630 cm, breast height diameter around 21 cm, green wood (satured), tape average of 6% and mean of factor form section of 0,82. The results of the confidence interval between the modulus of elasticity of the 1D numerical model (Eo) and analytical (Edeq) showed statistical equivalence between the methodologies, justified by the small taper of the elements, may be different for others tapers. The use of the longitudinal modulus of elasticity obtained from de numerical 1D model in the 3D simulations of the round timber beams lead to displacement values equivalent to those obtained in the tests, proving the efficiency of 1D numerical model, requiring less computational work.