Maria Laguarda-Mallo

University of Minnesota Twin Cities | UMN · Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering

Kerfing is a lumber-drying improvement technique that consists of cuts along both sides of boards, transversal to the longitudinal axis. The rationale behind this procedure is that, by cutting the fibers, the moisture loss through the end-grain is increased. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of kerfing on drying time, warp occurrence...

Cross-Laminated Timber is an engineered wood-based product, developed in Europe in the early 1990s. Cross-Laminated Timber is made of multiple layers of wood boards, which are oriented perpendicular to the adjacent layers. Cross Laminated Timber is a promising construction technology that represents an opportunity to use low-value timber from small...

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a building system based on the use of massive, multi-layered solid wood panels. Although CLT as a construction system has been successful in Europe, only a handful of CLT projects have been built in the U.S. This manuscript presents the results from qualitative research, carried out with the objective of assessing th...

Thermally-modified wood (TMW) has enhanced properties and its production does not involve the use of chemicals. However, the adoption of TMW in the marketplace has been limited in the U.S. for reasons that have not yet been clearly established. In this study, the marketing practices of U.S. producers and distributors of TMW were investigated, by co...

Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power, is the simultaneous generation of electric and thermal energy from the same fuel source. Some proven benefits of cogeneration are much higher efficiencies than conventional power generation and its ability to facilitate distributed energy and lower energy costs. Also, when cogeneration is fueled...

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is emerging as a promising building system that could help revitalize a dwindling forest sector. However, little research has been conducted about CLT, particularly in the marketing realm. Our paper helps bridge this gap. Specifically, we aim to identify research areas that are important to successfully advance CLT as a...

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is an innovative structural system based on the use of large-format, multi-layered panels made from solid wood boards glued together, and layers at 90 degrees. This cross-laminated configuration translates into panels that are monolithic, stable, and experience minor shrinkage, which allows them to be used for the most...

In the 20 years since its invention in Europe, cross-laminated timber (CLT) has become a widely used construction material in parts of the old continent and has started to attract global attention. CLT possesses numerous advantages as a construction material, including its superior structural and environmental performance, as well as the speed and...

The availability of local produced timber has significantly increased in the last three decades in Uruguay. This research was motivated by the lack of both strength-graded timber and standards for building construction with wood-based materials in Uruguay. A total of 480 structural pieces (150 x 50 x 3300 mm) from loblolly pine (Pinus elliottii) an...

The available wood supply in Uruguay comprises trees that grow so fast in intensively managed plantations that they reach saw timber size in 25 years or fewer. Trees harvested at this age contain high proportions of juvenile wood that may lead to lumber low in stiffness and strength. A project was conducted to characterize fast-growing wood, determ...