Paul Blankenhorn, Ph.D.

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. Janowia k, 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.

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. Janowia k, 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.