I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world and how we can use its resources in smarter, more sustainable ways. This curiosity led me to explore European aspen (Populus tremula L.), a tree which was used in Slovakia in the past. My goal was to see if this fast-growing hardwood could be a good fit for today’s construction needs, which are increasingly focused on sustainability. In this study, I tested the mechanical properties of aspen wood to see how strong and flexible it is. Using a combination of methods, including non-destructive methods (by using a device Sylvatest DuoВ®) and destructive methods where I measured things like how much load the wood can bare and how it bends under pressure. By comparing these results, I found that the non-destructive methods could accurately predict the wood’s strength. These findings suggest that European aspen could be use as building material. It’s not just about finding new uses for an old material; it’s about blending tradition with innovation to create more sustainable architecture. This research not only adds to our knowledge of wood science but also reflects my personal drive to make the world a bit greener.
Keywords: Populus tremula L., mechanical properties, MOE, MOR, NDT
Authors
Barbora Herdová
Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia
Rastislav Lagaňa
Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia
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