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 the student

  • Knows the key anatomical features of wood and is able to differentiate between softwood and hardwood and is able to identify several key commercially important species from their microstructures
  • Is familiar with the anisotropic structure of wood and is able to describe how the anatomical structure of wood affects its physical and mechanical properties
  • Knows the states of water in wood and is able to describe how it affects the mechanical and physical properties of wood
  • Knows the relationship between cell wall density, bulk density and void volume (porosity) and can apply this information to predict how fluids may behave in wood
  • Is familiar with the thermal characteristics of wood, especially thermal conductivity, heat capacity and diffusivity
  • Is familiar with the acoustic properties of wood and how this might be utilised in non-destructive testing and construction
  • Is familiar with the electrical properties of wood
  • Is familiar with the combustion properties of wood and its fire performance
  • knows about the short-term mechanical properties of wood and how structure/anatomy, density and moisture affect these
  • Is familiar with the long-term behaviour of wood under static and cyclical loading
  • Is able to describe the key steps in the manufacture of the major wood products (solid wood, wood-based composites and engineered wood)

Credits: 5

Schedule: 12.01.2021 - 15.04.2021

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 anatomy and structure; wood-water relationships; wood density and density-volume relationships; fluid flow in wood; thermal properties of wood; acoustic properties of wood; short-term mechanical properties and structure-property relationships; long-term wood properties (creep & fatigue); manufacture of wood products (solid wood, wood-based composites and engineered wood products

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lectures 24 h

    Laboratory exercises 24 h

    Project work 67 h

    Other independent studying 20 h

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Assignments: 30%

    Personal project: 40%

    Examination(s): 30% 

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lectures 24 h

    Laboratory exercises 24 h

    Project work 67 h

    Other independent studying 20 h

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Lectures: 20 - 30 h

    Other teaching: 0 - 10 h

    Exercises / assignments: 20 - 40 h

    Individual study: 20 - 60 h

    Examination: 2 - 20 h 

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    • Lecture slides
    • J.M. Dinwoodie, “Timber: Its nature and behaviour”
    • P.O. Kettunen, “Wood structure and properties”
    • R. Bruce Hoadley, “Understanding wood: A craftsman’s guide to wood technology”
    • Other materials introduced in class

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    None

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    13 Climate Action