Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)

DoITPoMS Teaching & Learning Packages The Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Wood Summary
The Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Wood AimsBefore you startIntroductionThe structure of wood (I)The structure of wood (II)The structure of wood (III)Stiffness of woodStrength of woodWater's effect on the mechanical behaviour of woodWood as an engineering materialSummaryQuestionsGoing further
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Summary

In this TLP the structure of wood has been studied. You will have learnt that hardwoods contain vessels and fibres whereas softwoods do not. All trees are pre-stressed, and how and why this occurs has been discussed.

You should be aware of how the strength and stiffness of different types of wood can be calculated. You will have seen that different woods have different properties, but that it is possible to understand their general behaviour using composite material models.

Wood shows viscoelasticity and has different properties when wet. You should now be aware why these properties occur, and how they affect the material. You should also understand why wood is commonly used as an engineering material, and the disadvantages of its use for particular applications.

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