Objectifs pédagogiques

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
- be familiar with tree growth and the ecological factors that affect it
- knows the key anatomical features of wood be familiar with the
main chemical constituents of wood, their properties and how they
make up the structure of the wood cell wall
- know about the anisotropic nature of wood and appreciate how the
anatomical structure of wood affects its physical and mechanical
properties
- be familiar with the relationship between mass and volume in wood
- know the states of water in wood and be familiar with the thermal,
electrical and acoustic properties of wood and appreciate its
behaviour in fire
- be familiar with the key physical and biological agents responsible
for the degradation of wood
- know about the short-term and long-term mechanical behaviour of
wood under static and cyclical loading and appreciate how
environmental factors affect this
- appreciates how wood might be utilised in energy and resource
efficient constructions
- be able to describe the key steps in the manufacture of solid wood
and wood-based composite products
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

-be able to differentiate important softwood and hardwood species
from their microstructures
-be familiar with how water affects the mechanical and physical
properties of wood, as well as how it affects its durability