Wood as an Engineering Material
- Course Number: S1033
- Credits: 9 hours
- Instructor: Helen Chen, Ph.D., PE
- Price: $90
Course Outline
This course provides a comprehensive overview of wood as an important material in engineering and construction. Based entirely on the foundational knowledge from the Wood Handbook published by the US Forest Service, the course covers the renewable and sustainable nature of wood, its physical and mechanical properties, and its structural functionality. Students will explore the characteristics of commercially important wood species, moisture relations, and the mechanical behavior of wood under various conditions. Emphasizing both traditional and modern uses, the course highlights wood's applications in green building, sustainable forestry, and innovative construction technologies. This course is ideal for engineers, architects, and contractors seeking to deepen their understanding of wood’s role in sustainable engineering.
At the end of this course, there will be a multiple-choice, open-book quiz designed to enhance your understanding of the course material.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be able to understand the properties and structure of wood as an engineering material;
- Be able to analyze the mechanical and physical behavior of wood under various conditions;
- Be able to evaluate wood's sustainability and role in green building practices; and
- Be able to apply knowledge of wood species and products to engineering and construction projects.