Abstract Our objective is to apply an understanding of the modes of failure and structural biology to substantially reduce the comminution energy required to produce bioenergy feedstocks. This paper explores the modes of failure for wood materials subject to crushing forces and how they could be used to develop a mathematical model of crushing forces […]
Abstract The continuum of forests and natural areas in need of fuel reduction thinning ranges from wilderness and working industrial forests to urban neighborhood greenbelts and overgrown residential lots. An object of this project is to characterize the problems associated with projects in the true wildland-urban intermix of residential lots to open spaces containing 20
Appropriate Technology Biomass Collection and Handling Systems for Smallwood Utilization Read More »
Abstract Forest Concepts, LLC is a federal contractor that is developing value-added uses for small diameter timber. Our objective is to create new jobs in rural communities through the manufacture and/or use of forest biomass that is a co-product of forest health and fuel reduction thinning programs. About the Publication Dooley, J.H. 2004. Best Value
Best Value Contracting for Wood Based Watershed Improvement Materials Read More »
Abstract Untapped markets for value-added smallwood and minimally processed wood products exceed 100,000 tons per year (4,500 truckloads) in the western United States. Although the tonnage is modest compared to the total biomass from forest health thinnings, the contribution to community sustainability and system economics is large. Purchase of this volume of roundwood under stewardship
Big Markets, Bigger Frustrations: Commercialization of Smallwood Products Read More »
Abstract For many years landowners, biologists, engineers and others removed large woody materials such as logs, rootwads and stumps from wetlands, floodplains, and streams of the western United States and Canada. By the early 1970’s scientists and engineers began to recognize the critical roles that wood plays in the life cycle of fish, amphibian, small
Abstract Forest Concepts led the development of a conceptual plan for a smallwood manufacturing center. The Cascade Forest Resources Center (CFRC) is envisioned to be a forest products business park housing 7-10 businesses on a common site. Businesses would include both natural resource service providers and manufacturers. Manufacturers would link to a common woodyard and
Rural Economic Development through Integrated Smallwood Forest Products Centers Read More »
Abstract An under-appreciated outlet for small diameter roundwood is in watershed restoration, environmental, and habitat enhancement programs. Over $2 billion is spent in North America on habitat enhancement and watershed restoration each year. Of that amount, our estimate is that approximately $300 million is spent on materials that could be made from small diameter timber.
Introduction Depletion and loss of functional large woody debris from streams and rivers of the Pacific Northwest is identified as a contributor to the decline in salmonid populations. Salmon, bull trout, steelhead and other fish are dependent on large woody debris (LWD) and channel morphology resulting from the presence of LWD for many of their
Technical Background: Engineered Log Jams Read More »
Abstract An engineered large woody debris structure has been designed and developed for use in habitat and watershed restoration projects. The structure was designed according to the Appreciative Design method to accommodate readily available wood materials, low-tech manufacturing methods, and volunteer-based installation. Technical features include a high organic surface area, structural integrity in an all-wood
Application and Functional Performance of Engineered LWD Read More »
Abstract An engineered large woody debris structure has been designed and developed for use in habitat and watershed restoration projects. The ELWd® structure was designed according to the Appreciative Design method to accommodate readily available wood materials, low-tech manufacturing methods, and volunteer-based installation. Technical features include a high organic surface area, structural integrity in an
Functional performance of engineered LWD for fish and wildlife habitat enhancement Read More »
