Engineering Properties of Wood

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: explain the relationship between anisotropy and orthotropic behaviour of wood; discuss how the various cellular components of wood and their structure influences the mechanical behaviour of wood; explicate how wood is graded either for structural use or non-structural applications; and elucidate ways of determining the mechanical and visco-elastic properties of wood.

Orthotropic nature of wood, structural models of wood, standard tests and stress calculations, creep and relaxation. Non-destructive testing. Effect of density, moisture content and temperature on strength; natural defects in wood and their effects on its properties; wood deterioration and casual; grading rules.