ArtClimateRoad and RevelationsWood textures and experiential metaphors

This Multimodal Sensations article explores embodied experiential metaphors. It focuses on the salient modalities of interaction with wood texture. As both an artist and researcher, I have been particularly concerned with how social semiotic theory can be applied to my work, and specifically, how concepts from multimodal analysis can be transformed into the process of multimodal artistic creation. This article reflects on an example linking a historic anniversary, the texture of ancient wood and interaction of a local participant audience. The analysis applies a combination of concepts gleaned from the theories of Theo van Leeuwen (2016), Juhani Pallasma (2012) and Kjetil Røed (2019) to participant reflections from an art project called ArtClimateRoad.

A case-based reasoning method for discriminating damage levels in ancient wood components based on fuzzy similarity priority

In order to rapidly identify internal damage levels accurately in ancient wood components, stress wave detection technology was used to perform simulated damage tests on pine specimens. Based on the detected wave velocity data, the diameter of the specimen, the attenuation coefficient, and the ratio of the wave velocities on the four paths were selected as the discriminant factors for identifying the level of internal damage in the specimens. A case-based reasoning method for discriminating internal damage levels in ancient wood components based on fuzzy similarity priority was proposed. A fuzzy similarity priority relationship between the target case and the source case was established. By introducing the idea of variable weights, the weight of each discriminant factor was determined via the “penalize-excitation” variable weight function. The comprehensive similarity sequences between the target case and the source case were obtained. The source case that was most similar to the target case was used to determine the damage level of the target case. The results showed that this method can quickly and accurately identify the damage levels in ancient wood components, which provides a new method for the safe evaluation of ancient wood buildings.

Microbial Degradation of Ancient Wood Housed in Cheops Boat Museum and Methods of Its Control

The authors have requested that this preprint be withdrawn due to erroneous posting.

Microbial Degradation of Ancient Wood Housed in Cheops Boat Museum and Methods of Its Control

The present research paper aims to determine the effect of microbial deterioration on wood housed in Cheops Boat and how to control it. Khufu, the second king of the Fourth Dynasty 2650 BC, established Cheops Boat that was found in 1954 on the southern side of the pyramid. Wood is usually very sensitive to biological attacks. Therefore, fungi, bacteria, and insects can easily attack and metabolize it, leading to significant physical, chemical, and morphological changes. Cellulose agar was used for the cultivation of fungi, and nutrient agar was used to cultivate bacteria. Microbial infections were identified using light microscopy and PCR after their cultivation. The causative microorganisms were isolated from Cheops Boat and characterized as A. niger, A. flavus, A. sulphureus, P. janthinellum, Cladosporium herbarum, Botryotrichum piluliferum, and Bacillus megaterium. The characteristics of the test methods and disinfection include their application to historical objects. Historic wood was analyzed from different perspectives: Stereo microscopes, SEM with EDX, FTIR, as well as wood structure and chemical composition. The biological activities of the isolated microorganisms were studied. The results illustrated that the best concentrations of a specific microbicide for the bio-treatment of the infected wood materials is pentachlorophenol at (900 ppm) as it is sufficient to inhibit all isolated microorganisms. It is followed by plant extract of Ceratophyllum demersum at (1000 ppm) concentration, and p-chloro-m-cresol at (2000 ppm) concentration.

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Reinforced Wood Lap Joint

During the restoration of ancient wood structures, the original material of the structures should be kept as much as possible, so a spliced method by using lap joints is commonly used to repair ancient wood structures. This study studies the mechanical behavior of a lap joint which was reinforced with fiber composite materials or steels. An experimental and numerical analysis were performed to study the strength, stiffness and failure modes of the lap joints. The test results showed that the strengthening effect of sticking carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets is better than that of sticking CFRP bars or steel bars due to the better bonding conditions; therefore, the lap joint reinforced with CFRP sheets was further analyzed using a numerical approach. The strength and stiffness were enhanced by increasing the reinforcement ratio of CFRP sheets. The use of a 0.34% reinforcement ratio made the bearing capacity of the lap joint reach that of the intact beam. The numerical model agreed well with the experiments in terms of stiffness. By analyzing the numerical analysis results, the structural behavior of the lap joint was revealed. A numerical model can be used to predict the stiffness and behavior of spliced beams with lap joints of different sizes.

Sustainable Nanotechnologies for Curative and Preventive Wood Deacidification Treatments: An Eco-Friendly and Innovative Approach

Waterlogged wooden artifacts represent an important historical legacy of our past. They are very fragile, especially due to the severe phenomenon of acidification that may occur in the presence of acid precursors. To date, a satisfactory solution for the deacidification of ancient wood on a large scale has still not been found. In this paper, we propose, for the first time, eco-friendly curative and preventive treatments using nanoparticles (NPs) of earth alkaline hydroxides dispersed in water and produced on a large scale. We present the characterization of the NPs (by X-ray diffraction, atomic-force and electron microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering), together with the study of the deacidification efficiency of our treatments. We demonstrate that all our treatments are very effective for both curative and preventive aims, able to assure an almost neutral or slightly alkaline pH of the treated woods. Furthermore, the use of water as a solvent paves the way for large-scale and eco-friendly applications which avoid substances that are harmful for the environment and for human health.

Uranium Mineralization of Fossil Wood

Uraniferous sandstone deposits commonly resulted when uranium in groundwater precipitated in reducing environments caused by degradation of ancient wood and organic debris. However, the mineralogy of uranium in fossil wood has received relatively little study. Previous microscopic observations of petrified wood from a few uranium mines have demonstrated that uranium in fossil wood primarily involves the oxide mineral uraninite or the silicate mineral coffinite, often in association with metal sulfides such as chalcopyrite. These observations are applicable to primary ore zones that are located below the water table, where oxidation is inhibited. New analyses utilizing scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence (SEM/EDS) reveal that fossil wood from oxidized ore zones may contain a diverse variety of uranium minerals, including carnotite, tyuyamunite, and zippeite, as well as various vanadate and sulfate minerals. Uranium-bearing common opalized wood and stratiform common opal from two prospects in Nevada, USA, contain no identifiable uranium minerals. Instead, the element is dispersed in trace amounts within the opal.

Towards Sustainable Timber Construction Through the Application of Wood-Wood Connections

<p>This paper introduces a series of sustainable timber construction using wood-wood connections, which are driven from environmental requirements. These constructions are based on geometries like origami and free-form instead of standard structural elements. In addition, to predict the structural behaviour, the simplified numerical methods for accurately modelling are used. The aim of these case studies is to better explore the value of wood-wood connections as inheritance of ancient culture and extend research on their integration into design processes. Through the design, manufacturing and assembly stage, the connections are investigated as a driver for architectural forms. The utilisation of these innovative connections with minimised metal connectors ensures the rapid, precise and simple assembly process. With in-depth study and innovation of the ancient wood-wood connections, experience in prefabricated timber structure not only offers new geometrical opportunities, but also expands the understanding of integration of ancient and modern cultures.</p>