Learning Outcomes

When the course has been completed the students will be able to:

• Discuss wood moisture relationships and calculate wood weight using specific gravity data, and shrinkage using volumetric shrinkage tables.
• Understand the relationship between humidity and e.m.c.
• Measure S.G. for wood samples
• Explain stress and strain, and describe the forces which are present in a beam under bending load.
•  Identify the factors impacting on the strength of a timber
• Describe the characteristics of lumber that impact on grade, and explain how the various grades are defined.
• Explain the various grades of softwood lumber and how they may be determined visually and by machine
• Understand the relationship between Load and deflection, and MOR and MOE
• Discuss how the log is broken down in a sawmill
• Review the main aspects impacting on kiln drying and identify the common methods used in B.C. with an awareness of alternative methods. Explain defects caused by drying wood
• Understand the role of durability in wood performance; identify the durable woods in Canada and how they can be used in buildings to provide a suitable service life.
• Identify the main preservatives used in North America and explain how wood is pressure treated, including the use of preconditioning and post treatment processes to ensure the environmental acceptance of the treated products.
• Identify the main composite materials available in North America and explain the differences in their composition.
•  Understand the range of engineered wood products available and explain the advantages of such materials in construction
•  Explain how wood chips are converted into paper using chemical and mechanical pulping
•  Understand how the integrated forest sector value chain operates