|
|
 |
Title: |
Professor
of Wood Technology, Associate Director for Academic
Programs |
| Phone: |
814-865-6972 |
| Email: |
prb@psu.edu |
| Address: |
The
Pennsylvania State University
School of Forest Resources
124 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802 |
- Education:
- B.S.,
The Pennsylvania State University (1966)
- M.S.,
The Pennsylvania State University (1968)
- Ph.D.,
The Pennsylvania State University (1972)
- Academic
Interests:
- Physical
and mechanical properties of wood and wood composites; preservative
treating of wood; recycling; wood cement composites; and dry
kiln schedules and emissions.
- Courses
Taught:
- Anatomical
Properties of Wood Products; Mechanical Behavior of Wood; Properties
of Wood Products; Wood-Environment Relations; Wood Products
Environmental Pollutional Control; Wood Products Colloquium
- Professional
Affiliation:
- President,
Society of Wood Science and Technology; Member, Board of Directors,
Renewable Natural Resources Foundation; Member, Board of Directors,
Forest Products Society Northeast Section; Division Coordinator,
Fundamental Disciplines Division Forest Products Society; Northeastern
Regional Representative on the National Planning Group-2 Subcommittee
on Forest Products Research, USDA Forest Service; Program Manager,
Small Business Innovation Research USDA Competitive Research
Grants Office
- Recent
Research/Educational Projects:
Effects
of Drying Parameters on Hardwood Lumber Drying
Defects and VOC Emissions
This project will investigate effects
of hardwood kiln schedule drying parameters on
dry kiln emissions and drying defect development.
Results from this project will determine the usefulness
of kiln schedule modifications on drying defect
development, drying rate, and reduction in kiln
emissions. This project will also investigate
modifying dry kiln schedules to reduce drying
defect development in lumber sawn from small diameter
hardwood trees. Results from this project will
help sustain the economic viability of the hardwood
lumber industry.
Moisture
Protection for Preservative Treated Timbers
The purposes of this project are: (1) evaluate
sealers and coatings for protecting preservative
treated timbers from moisture and (2) analyze
the moisture excluding effectiveness for the sealers
and coatings used on the preservative treated
wood. Southern pine and red maple specimens
will be treated with chromated copper arsenate
(CCA) or creosote. Controls (wood not treated
with preservatives), preservative treated (not
coated with a sealer) and coated preservative
treated specimens will be divided into two groups.
One group will be subjected to constant 90% relative
humidity and the other group will be submersed
in liquid water. Moisture gain by each specimen
will be measured at selected time intervals.
Moisture excluding effectiveness values will be
calculated and compared among coatings in order
to determine the most effective coatings for preservative
treated wood.
Modified
Wood Fibers for Enhancement of Wood Cement Composite Properties
The purpose of this project is to investigate the use of
modified wood fibers for enhancement of wood cement composite
strength, toughness, and dimensional stability properties.
Secondary wood fibers (recycled paper) will be treated with
different water soluble polymers and coupling agents in
an attempt to increase the fiber stiffness and cement compatibility.
The physical property data obtained for analysis will include
density, thickness swell, water absorption, and linear expansion.
Flexural strength tests will be the primary technique employed
to study mechanical properties although compressive strength
will be used throughout the study. The goal of this project
is to develop techniques for using secondary wood fibers
in wood cement composites and to enhance the resultant composites
strength and durability.
- Selected
Publications:
-
Blankenhorn,
P. R., B. D. Blankenhorn and A. G. Norton. 2003. Selected
Quality Characteristics of White Ash Used in Professional
Baseball Bats. Forest Products Journal 53(3):43-46.
Blankenhorn, P. R., B. D. Blankenhorn, M. R. Silsbee
and M. DiCola. 2001. Effects of Fiber Surface Treatments
on Mechanical Properties of Wood Fiber-Cement Composites.
Cement and Concrete Research 31:1049-1055.
Blankenhorn, P. R., P. Labosky, Jr., J. J. Janowiak,
H. B. Manbeck, D. A. Webb, and R. T. Baileys. 1999.
The development of preservative treatment recommendations
for red oak and red maple glued-laminated timber
bridge members. For. Prod. J. 49(5):87-93.
Blankenhorn, P. R., M. R. Silsbee, B. D. Blankenhorn,
M. DiCola, and K. R. Kessler. 1999. Temperature
and moisture effects on selected properties of wood
fiber-cement composites. Cement and Concrete Research
29:737-741.
Blankenhorn,
P.R., P. Labosky, Jr., J.J. Janowiak,
H.B. Manbeck, D.A. Webb, and R.T. Baileys. 1999.
The development of preservative treatment recommendations
for red oak and red maple glued-laminated timber birdge
members. For. Prod. J. 49(5):87-93.
Blankenhorn,
P.R., M.R. Silsbee, B.D. Blankenhorn, M. Dicola,
and K.R. Kessler. 1999. Temperature
and moisutre effects on selected properties of wood
fiber-cement composites. Cement and Concrete
Research 29:737-741.
Kilmer,
W.R., P.R. Blankenhorn, P. Labosky, Jr., and J.J.
Janowiak. 1998. Laminating creosote
treated hardwoods. Wood and Fiber Science
30(2):175-184.
Manbeck,
H.B., J.J. Janowiak, P.R. Blankenhorn, P. Labosky,
Jr., and R.W. Witmer, Jr. 1997. Hardwood
glued-laminated timber bridges. Proceedings
of Structural Congress XV in Portland, Oregon.
580-584.
Blankenhorn,
P. R., P. Labosky, Jr., M. DiCola, and L. R. Stover.
1994. Comprehensive strength of hardwood-cement
composites. For. Prod. J. 44(4):59-62.
|
|
