The deposition of TiO₂/ZnO on heat-treated wood was prepared by a hydrothermal reaction and sol-gel method. Highly hydrophobic wood was successfully prepared with low surface free energy. The surface-modified wood samples were characterized by 3D-laser shape measurement microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the microstructure and chemical composition investigation. The deposited TiO₂ or ZnO markedly made the wood surface brighter, which was demonstrated by visual observation and spectrophotometer. The TiO₂/ZnO particles were successfully loaded onto the surface of the wood, proven by SEM-EDS and FTIR analyses. The contact angle of TiO₂ and ZnO-modified wood reached 123.9° and 134.1° respectively, which is obviously higher than that of the control at 88.9°. The hydrophobic properties of the TiO₂/ZnO modified wood samples were directly related to the shapes of clusters and spheres of particles, which increased the roughness of the wood surface. This study shows the hydrophobic properties of the TiO₂/ZnO-modified wood and provides the color and roughness changes for the painting process of heat-treated wood.

As the construction industry places increasing emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability, this trend has spurred profound research into the optimization of door and window performance. One of the critical components of windows is their frames. Over the past several decades, the design of window frames has undergone significant innovations, ranging from introducing new materials to novel design concepts. The performance of window frames is typically influenced by materials, structural design, and the surrounding environment. Consequently, this paper analyzes the common window frame materials in Chinese civil buildings through investigation. It explores commonly used types of window frames available in the market, focusing on their materials and structural designs. It analyzes issues observed during their usage, integrates findings from existing research, and discusses the performance of window frame materials. Additionally, it explores improvement strategies to meet the evolving demands of contemporary and future architectural doors and windows, providing valuable reference points for designers. Finally, approaching the discussion from a sustainable development perspective, the paper evaluates the environmental impact of wood, aluminum alloy, polymer, and composite window frame materials. It emphasizes that wood- and aluminum-clad wood windows represent sustainable options with versatile applications in diverse scenarios.

The Dou-Gong bracket is a key transition component between the roof and the column in ancient Chinese wooden structures. In this paper, the static structural behavior of Qing-style ‘one bucket three liters’ Column-cap Dou-Gong Bracket (third-class material) full-scale test model was studied by simulation. The simulation of monotonic static loading was carried out in the vertical (Z-axis) direction, and the simulation of quasi-static loading under horizontal low-cycle reciprocating load was carried out in the horizontal direction (Y-axis, X-axis). The material of the simulation was P. sylvestris, and the setting of its material parameters referred to the results obtained from the material property tests. An anisotropic constitutive model suitable for the properties of wood materials was selected, and the elastoplasticity of wood in the simulation was defined by the Hill yield rule. The static structural behavior of the component in the Z-axis could be described by the variable stiffness linear elastic mechanical model. The static structural behavior of the component in the Y-axis and X-axis could be described by a multi-linear restoring force model. According to the simulation results, the key mechanical indexes of Dou-Gong bracket component in the Z, Y, and X axes were calculated from three aspects of strength, deformation, and energy.