Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the course student:
- Appraciates how trees sequeter atmospheric carbon, how wood products store carbon and how wood products may contribute to reducing the environmental and climate impact of building construction
- Is familiar with tree growth and the ecological factors that affect it
- Knows the key anatomical features of wood and is able to differentiate important softwood and hardwood species from their microstructures
- Is familiar with the main chemical constituents of wood, their properties and how they make up the structure of the wood cell wall
- Knows about the anisotropic nature of wood and appreciates how the anatomical structure of wood affects its physical and mechanical properties
- Is familiar with the relationship between mass and volume in wood
- Knows the states of water in wood and is familiar with how water affects the mechanical and physical properties of wood, as well as how it affects its durability
- Is familiar with the thermal, electrical and acoustic properties of wood and appreciates its behaviour in fire
- Is familiar with the key physical and biological agents responsible for the degradation of wood and how degradation may be mitigated
- Knows about the short-term and long-term mechanical behaviour of wood under static and cyclical loading and appreciates how environmental factors affect this
- Appreciates how wood might be utilised in healthy, energy and resource efficient buildings
- Knows the main wood products and the typical applications for these products
- Is able to describe the key steps in the manufacture of solid wood and wood-based composite products
Credits: 3
Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 09.12.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Mark Hughes
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Mark Hughes
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Wood is a plentiful and renewable resource that should play a strong role in sustainable construction. The aim of this course it to introduce students to the structure of wood and its material properties as well as some of the important wood-based products and how they are manufactured. There is emphasis on the properties and products of wood relevant to applications in the built environment. Topics include: Tree growth and ecology; wood species; wood anatomy; wood ultrastructure; moisture and wood; short-term and long-term mechanical properties; wood degradation; acoustic and thermal behaviour; wood products; wood product manufacturing.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
3 cr = 81 h
- Lectures 0-30 h
- Other contact teaching 0-30 h
- Laboratory working 0-40 h
- Preparing for examination(s), simulations, exercises and reporting 0-50 h
- Examination(s) 2-10 h
Additional 2 cr = 54 h (optional)
- Individual project (topic and methods to be agreed with teacher in charge)
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Lecture slides
R. Bruce Hoadley, “Understanding wood: A craftsman’s guide to wood technology”
J.M. Dinwoodie, “Timber: Its nature and behaviour” (http://otalib.aalto.fi/en/instructions/guides/electronic_materials/myilibrary/)
Other materials referred to in class
Substitutes for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Puu-28.5000 Introduction to wood properties and wood products
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
None
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
3 Good Health and Well-being
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
- Opettaja: Alam Ashraful
- Opettaja: Hughes Mark
- Opettaja: Viitanen Hannu