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If you have any
questions please call a Titan Representative
1-800-960-8858 |
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Titan home study course books will be mailed to you within one business day of receiving your order. Each course is accompanied with a quiz that must be completed and submitted to Titan via mail, fax or email for credit. Upon completion of home study courses, Titan will send you your certificate.
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Home Study Course Books / Architects
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Solar Energy Introduction
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$35.00 |
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Solar energy travels from the sun to the earth in the form of
electromagnetic radiation. In this course properties of electromagnetic
radiation will be discussed and basic calculations for electromagnetic radiation
will be described. Several solar position parameters will be discussed along
with means of calculating values for them. The major methods by which solar
radiation is converted into other useable forms of energy will be discussed
briefly. Extraterrestrial solar radiation (that striking the earth's outer
atmosphere) will be discussed and means of estimating its value at a given
location and time will be presented. Finally, information will be presented on
the use of three websites to obtain values for yearly average solar insolation,
monthly average insolation, or daily insolation at a specified location in the
United States or anywhere around the world. Numerous examples are included to
illustrate the calculations and data retrieval methods presented.
After completing this course, you will have basic knowledge about solar
electromagnetic radiation, will be familiar with fundamental solar parameters,
will be able to obtain or calculate values for those parameters and use them in
calculations, and will be able to obtain values for average monthly rate of
solar radiation, average annual rate of solar radiation and average hourly rate
of solar radiation striking the surface of a typical solar collector in the
United States or any location around the world. You will also be prepared to
take additional more specialized solar energy courses.
This course is intended for mechanical, electrical, chemical and energy
engineers, as well as architects. It will also be of interest to any engineers
wanting to learn more about the renewable energy field.
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Solutions for Sustainability
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$65.00 |
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Sustainability is defined by one source as "the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level." It is described elsewhere as "meeting current needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, in the environment we will leave them." To every extent possible, design choices made on projects should result in the least harm possible being done to our environment, to be inherited by our descendants. Whether architects really have a "duty" to design "sustainably" as a matter of ethics, is a question needing a bit more discussion. Trying to do so is unquestionably, a good idea.
Setting buzzwords, special interest groups and political agendas aside, we will examine a few key principles of what can instead be called, "environmentally responsible" design. Many steps that can be taken during design and after structures are complete, to reduce energy use and resources consumed. These include passive steps like building envelopes with thermally superior components. In the design phase, buildings can be positioned on site to strategically allow or preclude solar gain, admit or deny natural ventilation, and maximize or minimize shade needed in different seasons. After everything has been done to passively minimize energy use, active technologies can recapture energy or generate power for internal use or addition to the grid.
Concepts examined here should provide a few more tools to design sustainably.
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Sound Advice for Acoustics
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$150.00 |
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Unwanted sound impacts and affects inhabitants of our created spaces. If it is not already, controlling noise will quickly become a mandated concern for designers. Attesting to increasing regulatory focus on noise, is a recent proliferation of standards, guidelines, and codes regarding acoustics.
Very soon, many of these guidelines will no longer be mere suggestions. Most concerns covered in these standards, can be addressed with a basic understanding on how sound travels and is reflected, blocked, absorbed, or transmitted by materials and assemblies chosen in designing envelopes.
Acoustic design is best addressed in an incremental fashion. This course was written to do just that. Fundamentals are first covered, including basic principles regarding sound, how its energy moves through matter, how its path and intensity can be altered, and how success in the manipulation of sound is measured. Known design strategies are discussed for controlling sound moving; from exterior to interior spaces, from interior spaces to adjacent spaces, within interior spaces, through structural components, and through building systems. Design considerations are outlined for numerous common building functions. Finally, acoustic codes and guidelines in existence now, are listed for consideration.
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Speaking of Older Buildings
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$100.00 |
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When the question of what to do with older buildings arises, it usually resolves itself to choices of reusing them as is, repairing them, restoring them, repurposing them or replacing them.
There is an old saying regarding existing buildings that goes like this. 'It has good bones.' Any facility, free of structural defects and doing a reasonably good job of keeping water out, represents a tangible asset. The trick to maximizing the value of existing structures, especially in areas where changing economic factors have also resulted in changing market demands, is to approach their reuse from a different point of view. The judicious employment of renovation funds should not be based on restoring them to a previous use, but making them suitable for other markets in which the existing bones might enable a whole new purpose.
This presentation proposes criteria that may prove valuable in determining which option for the disposition of older buildings represents the best value for the owner, the buyer or the community in which the structure is located. It will also briefly examine a potential business opportunity in a collaboration between architects and commercial real estate agents.
For the benefit of everyone involved, any reuse of older buildings is better than none. Some thought just needs to be put into the options of how to do so, before any decision is made on to the best way to proceed.
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Stainless Steel
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$35.00 |
Stainless Steel, provides an overview of the basics of stainless steel, its
production, applications and characteristics. The course is a refresher for the
experienced design engineer and a primer for those new to metallurgy. Included
in this course are descriptions of the five main types of stainless steel and
their basic similarities and differences. The various alloying elements are
described and their effects on the stainless steel reviewed. The main
manufacturing processes, forming and fabricating are included. Stainless steel
selections for various applications are discussed.
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Standard Fire Resistance Design of Structures
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$65.00 |
Uncontrolled fire within an engineered building may be regarded as a low probability and potentially high consequence event. Hence, it is important that structural systems adequately resist the effects of fire. Accordingly, long-standing standard fire resistance design requirements aim to the control the heating of individual structural components with the intent of mitigating the risk of structural collapse due to fire exposure. This 2 hour course examines the current practice of standard fire resistance design, and covers relevant code requirements, qualification testing, and proper specification of structural fire protection.
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Starting From the Bottom
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$100.00 |
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When a floor collapses or when mold appears on it, we can be sure of one thing. Such problems likely began when poor choices were made selecting materials, from the level of the grade to the level of the finished floor. Like the problems they spawn, choices made in proper or improper floor design, begin at the bottom and work their way upward. This course takes a systematic look at decisions made in choosing specific components of construction, from the ground to the top of the first finished floor. Those choices need to be sound and dependable, since the top of that floor is the base upon which the rest of the enclosure will rest. This design process includes; an analysis of water attacking the structure, why specific foundation options are selected, what framing members will support the floor, how vapor drive will be controlled, what insulation will be installed to isolate climates, the subflooring that will be the primary barrier between the inside atmosphere and any space below, and the underlayment and finish flooring that will be placed above. If we do our job well as designers, that last component will be the only part of everything chosen, to ever need further attention or consideration from our clients.
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Strategic Planning
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$35.00 |
This one hour online course will provide information and training on strategic planning in construction. The course will go over the steps of a strategic plan and explain how to successfully execute the plan.
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Structural Fire Design
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$65.00 |
The frequency of uncontrolled fire in buildings is low, but the consequences can be severe if not properly addressed. Hence, it is important that structural systems adequately resist the effects of fire. Conventional methods for structural fire safety aim to control the heating of individual structural components with the intent of mitigating the risk of structural collapse due to fire exposure. However, new industry standardization and guidance are paving the way for the explicit design of structural systems to safely withstand uncontrolled fire exposure, referred to as structural fire design. This course briefly examines conventional methods for structural fire safety, and then primarily covers the requirements, methodology, and benefits of structural fire design.
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Supply Chain Management
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$65.00 |
This course will provide the student with basic concepts in supply chain management. An overview of the history of supply chain management, its components as well as the benefits and potential gaps are presented. Additionally, the course will review current and future trends within the supply chain that are emerging throughout businesses today
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The First Steps: Foundations for the Coming Project
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$65.00 |
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The right decisions made early are the foundation needed to support a successful
project. Starting points include ensuring design compliance with the various
rules and regulations from governing authorities. Otherwise, permission will not
be granted to implement a project. A properly chosen foundation that reliably
transfers the load of a structure into the earth minimizes the risk of a
building collapse. Soil testing is needed to determine whether the dirt beneath
will support the new structure(s). The type of soil found on the site, its
stability and its structural bearing capability must be known to ensure a solid
design. The weight of the building being placed on the soil of our chosen site
must also be determined.
These represent a few of the factors which must be considered to create a
strong foundation for a successful project. Obtaining and properly utilizing
such knowledge will smooth the way to the desired outcome. This course
discusses each of these factors and the critical decisions that depend on
them.
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The Potential for Electrons to Molecules Using Solar Energy
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$65.00 |
In this 2 hour course, the potential for solar photovoltaics (PV) to supply low carbon energy sources to sectors of the economy other than the power industry is described. Molecules such as hydrogen, ammonia, and hydrocarbons are currently produced from natural gas and crude oil and are used in sectors other than the power sector. Processes to produce them emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases both directly and in upstream feedstock recovery processes. Electrons-to-molecules (E2M) technologies are being developed to convert carbon dioxide, water, and atmospheric nitrogen to desired chemical products using electricity, and they represent large electricity loads. E2M technologies are thus emerging as a potential application for PV; essentially, they can act as electrochemical energy storage and thereby provide a means to use the energy generated from PV and store it in molecular form. In this course, the focus is on potential interfaces between PV and the organic chemicals sector. Specifically, analyses are presented for sustainable production pathways for hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethanol, methanol, formic acid, and methane.
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The Role of Concentrating Solar-Thermal Technologies (NREL)
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$100.00 |
In this 3 hour course, the role that concentrating solar-thermal (CST) technologies could play in future U.S. energy markets is discussed. CST uses reflective surfaces to concentrate the sun's rays on a small area (the receiver), which heats up to temperatures of 700 to 1000 deg F, depending on the type of receiver used. Concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) refers to a system for converting this heat to electricity, which is the primary end application discussed in the course. Besides generating electricity, CST can be used in any other application that requires thermal energy, such as industrial process-heating, thermal desalination, and fuel production. Thermal energy can also be stored for later use through thermal energy storage systems, giving CST technologies greater generation flexibility than solar photovoltaic or wind technologies. The course describes the most widely deployed CSP plant types, such as parabolic trough collectors, power tower systems, linear Fresnel collectors, and parabolic dish collectors.
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Three Ways to Murder Fire
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$65.00 |
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In some ways, fire can be described as being alive. It eats, breathes and to some extent, propagates children, by using its own heat to spread. It is also somewhat malevolent, at least so far as we are concerned. This is because, if left unchecked, fire can kill us or at the least, destroy our possessions and resources. If it becomes necessary, it is better that we kill a fire, than allow it to destroy us.
This course examines ways in which we can indeed put an end to fire. We can do so by removing any leg of the fire triangle, the heat, the oxygen or the fuel which fire needs to live. We can freeze it to death, choke it to death or starve it to death. Our building codes offer a lot of guidance on ways to so deprive fire of what it needs, especially fuel and oxygen.
If we find we cannot coexist with fire, then it is wise to follow the mandates of the codes during design.
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Total Building Commissioning
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$65.00 |
This 2 hour course presents the current re-defined process of Total Building Commissioning. The first part of this course provides a detailed definition of commissioning, how it works, and who is involved in the process. The second and final part of this course presents the public sector's application of commissioning through the GSA guide for building commissioning. The commissioning of building pieces and parts has been re-defined recently as Total Building Commissioning and is gaining acceptance throughout all sectors of the building industry. Recent trends in the design and construction industry towards design-build and sustainable design have promoted the use of modern commissioning techniques.
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Understanding Electricity and Electrical Components
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$150.00 |
This 5 hour course introduces basic electrical concepts for those who wish to obtain a basic understanding of electricity before taking more advanced courses in electrical applications. The course covers DC and AC electrical theory, with an emphasis on concepts that are particularly useful for understanding the many codes and standards that apply to the design and installation of various electrical systems. It also explains the purposes, characteristics and operation of wire, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnects, capacitors, inductors, safety devices, transformers and surge protection. The course provides numerous examples of calculating important quantities such as voltage drop, wire size, transformer size and fuse or circuit breaker size.
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Understanding Electricity and Electrical Components - Part 2
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$200.00 |
The goal of the course is to help the electricians, engineers and other design professionals understand how systems operate, so the reasons for doing a job a certain way will make more sense. The course covers the how and why of topics ranging from understanding and controlling LED lighting systems, Fiber Optics, Variable Speed Motor Controls, Sensors, Programmable Logic Controllers, Energy Management Systems and Microgrid Systems.
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Understanding Microplastics
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$35.00 |
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, typically smaller than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter. They result from either the breakdown of larger plastic items or intentional manufacturing for use in a variety of products. They contaminate oceans, soil, food, and air, and are associated with potential risks to wildlife and human health. It is nearly impossible to avoid some exposure to microplastics due to their widespread presence in the environment. They are generally not biodegradable and persist in the environment for hundreds of years. The presence of microplastics in the environment is cause for concern. Detection and removal of microplastics from the environment is complex and difficult. This course addresses what is known and not known about microplastics at this point in time.
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Understanding the Economic Benefits of Going Green
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$65.00 |
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Probably the most common reason given for NOT "going
green" is the perception that going green adds too much to the cost of a
building and thus makes the option too expensive. Another argument is that
going green complicates the design, permitting and construction process,
resulting in delays.
The purpose of this 2-credit course is to show why these
beliefs may actually end up costing the owner, designer and contractor more
money by NOT going green. The course shows the value of owner, designer and
contractor learning how to evaluate the trade-offs between various "green" options in order to maximize the overall value of the occupancy, resulting in
win-win situations for all parties involved.
The approach used shows how to evaluate the economics of
various "green" choices for new and retrofit construction in order to maximize
profit for the designer and builder as well as the overall cost savings for the
owner. The procedures presented are intended to be useful not only for existing
technology, but also for emerging technologies. An important intended outcome
is to show how to distinguish between good choices and bad choices.
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Using Solar Photovoltaics in Transportation
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$100.00 |
In this 3 hour course, areas of transportation practice are identified which may benefit from the use of photovoltaic electricity (PV). The use of PV for transportation will become especially important as the U.S. transportation system becomes increasingly electrified and less dependent on fossil fuels and internal combustion engines. Technologies that enable wide-scale managed and coordinated vehicle battery charging show special promise for plug-in electric vehicles. Fuel-cell electric vehicles have near-zero life cycle emissions when using hydrogen produced via water electrolysis powered by PV. This form of “green hydrogen†is becoming increasingly cost-competitive as the price of wind and PV electricity continues to decline.
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Wiring Methods and Materials
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$35.00 |
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This course is an overview of the basics of electrical wiring methods and
materials. This lesson includes wiring of residential and commercial buildings,
and the methods and materials used to provide a proper and safe installation.
Being able to install the wiring for electrical construction and
remodeling requires understanding basic wiring terminology and correctly
identifying the most common types of wire and cable. This knowledge is
essential when choosing wiring for new construction and remodeling projects and
when investigating wiring problems.
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Wood - Drying and Control of Moisture Content and Dimensional Changes
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$65.00 |
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Ancient craftsmen recognized that wood could warp or split due to moisture
changes, leading to early drying practices to ensure stability. Ancient
builders, particularly in Japan, also developed long-term drying methods to
ensure dimensional stability.
Wood is hygroscopic - it absorbs and releases moisture depending on its
environment. When it dries below the fiber saturation point (around 25% - 30%
moisture content), it begins to shrink. This shrinkage is not uniform: it is
greatest tangentially (across growth rings), less radially (perpendicular to
rings), and minimal longitudinally (along the grain). These variations can lead
to warping, cupping, or cracking if drying is too fast or uneven.
Controlled drying, whether by air or kiln methods, is essential to minimize
defects and ensure the wood reaches a moisture content compatible with its final
environment - its equilibrium moisture content (EMC). Matching the final moisture
content to expected conditions reduces future movement after installation.
Drying also improves wood's strength, reduces its weight, and increases
resistance to decay. It allows for better finishing and fastener performance.
However, improper drying can cause internal stresses or defects like checking
and honeycombing.
Understanding the link between moisture content and dimensional change is
central to both traditional craftsmanship and modern wood technology. By
managing drying carefully, woodworkers and manufacturers ensure that products
remain stable, functional, and durable over time.
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Wood - A Guide to Preservation
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$100.00 |
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Many commonly used wood species can deteriorate when exposed to the growth of wood-degrading organisms. Wood products can be protected from the attack of decay fungi, harmful insects, or marine borers by applying chemical preservatives. Preservative treatments greatly increase the life of wood structures, thus reducing replacement costs and allowing more efficient use of forest resources. The degree of protection achieved depends on the preservative used and the proper penetration and retention of the chemicals. Some preservatives are more effective than others, and some are more adaptable to certain use requirements.
Not only are different methods of treating wood available, but treatability varies among wood species—particularly their heartwood, which generally resists preservative treatment more than does sapwood. Although some tree species possess naturally occurring resistance to decay and insects many are in short supply or are not grown in ready proximity to markets. This course will provide the student with basic concepts and treatments methods for wood preservation.
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Wood - A Guide to Specialty Treatments
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$35.00 |
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Many specialty treatments can be applied to wood to either improve its performance or change its properties. Treatments addressed in this course are those that make permanent changes in the shape of a wood product, improvements in dimensional stability, or improvements in performance through combinations with non-wood resources.
The first section of this course introduces the basic concepts of plasticizing wood. The second section of this course introduces the basic concepts of modified woods including resin treatments, compression treatments and heat treatments. The third section of this course introduces paper-based plastic laminates.
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Wood - A Guide to Use in Buildings and Bridges
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$35.00 |
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In North America, prior to the 20th century most houses, commercial buildings, bridges, and utility poles used wood as the basic structural component. Today, many buildings are still made using modern wood structural materials. Recently, there has been increased interest in using wood for various types of transportation structures, including highway bridges.
This course briefly introduces the features of various types of building systems. Emphasis is placed on how these systems have adapted to the use of modern materials and techniques. For example, floor, wall, and roof sheathing are now commonly made from structural panel products, such as plywood and oriented strandboard (OSB) instead of wood boards. These panel products are quicker to install and provide improved structural resistance to wind and earthquake loadings. Furthermore, the use of prefabricated floor and wall panels along with prefabricated roof and floor trusses or I-joists are replacing piece-by-piece on-site construction.
A brief description of the uses of wood in railroad and highway bridges and other transportation structures is included.
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Wood - Adhesive Bond Formation and Performance
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$65.00 |
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Adhesive bonding of wood plays an increasing role in the forest products industry and is a key factor for efficiently utilizing our timber resources. The main use of adhesives is in the manufacture of building materials, including plywood, oriented strandboard (OSB), particleboard, fiberboard, structural composite lumber, doors, windows and frames, and factory-laminated wood products.
Adhesives are also used in the assembly of furniture and cabinets, manufacture of engineered wood products, and construction of residential and commercial structures. Adhesives transfer and distribute loads between components, thereby increasing the strength and stiffness of wood products. This course introduces the student to the basic concepts and practices needed to use adhesive to bond wood.
The ability to assemble larger products out of smaller pieces or particles directly affects the efficiency of wood product. Assembly relies directly on adhesives and bonding. This course introduces the basic concepts of wood bonding and adhesives, including known best practices and chemical and physical behavior of woods and adhesives.
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Wood - Fire Safety in Construction
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$65.00 |
In the first section of this course, code requirements and related fire performance data are discussed in the context of fire safety design and evaluation. Since data on fire behavior of wood products are used to evaluate fire safety for wood construction, the second section of this course provides additional information on fire behavior and fire performance characteristics of wood products. The final section is a discussion of fire-retardant treatments that can be used to reduce the combustibility of wood.
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Wood - Mechanical Properties
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$65.00 |
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Wood is an orthotropic material with unique mechanical properties along three
principal axes: longitudinal, radial, and tangential. These properties are
determined through testing clear, straight-grained wood that is free from
defects like knots, cross grain, checks and splits. However, wood is naturally
variable due to environmental influences such as moisture and soil conditions.
Key mechanical properties include the modulus of elasticity (E), which
measures stiffness, and Poisson's ratio, which describes lateral deformation
under axial stress. The modulus of rigidity (G) defines resistance to shear
stress. Strength properties include modulus of rupture (MOR) in bending,
compressive and tensile strengths, and shear strength parallel to the grain.
Wood also exhibits impact bending strength, hardness, and fracture toughness,
which define its ability to resist impact, indentation, and crack
propagation.
Growth features like knots, slope of grain, and reaction wood significantly
impact strength. Knots weaken wood by disrupting fiber continuity, while
juvenile wood has lower strength due to a high fibril angle. Compression wood in
softwoods and tension wood in hardwoods have higher density but undesirable
shrinkage properties.
Wood's mechanical performance is affected by moisture content, temperature,
and prolonged loading. As moisture decreases, most mechanical properties
increase, but excessive drying can cause brittleness. Prolonged load exposure
leads to creep and potential failure over time. Wood's resistance to decay,
insect damage, and fungal attack depends on its species and treatment
methods.
Wood treatments, including preservatives and fire-retardants, can impact
strength. While oil-based treatments have minimal effects, waterborne
preservatives can reduce strength, particularly at high temperatures. Aging and
exposure to chemicals may also alter mechanical properties.
Understanding these factors helps in designing durable wood structures,
ensuring wood's continued viability as a sustainable engineering material. This
low-tech course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end and is intended to
provide 4 hours of professional development.
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Wood - Structural Analysis Equations
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$35.00 |
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This course introduces students to the equations for deformation and stress, which are the basis for tension members and beam and column design. The first two sections cover tapered members, straight members, and special considerations such as notches, slits, and size effect. A third section introduces stability criteria for members subject to buckling and for members subject to special conditions.
Note that this chapter focuses primarily on presenting fundamental mechanics-based equations. For design procedures, the reader is encouraged to contact appropriate industry trade associations or product manufacturers.
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Wood-Based Composite Materials
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$65.00 |
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Wood-based composites have been used for centuries, with primitive forms of
plywood dating back to ancient Egypt. Modern development began in the early 20th
century with plywood, followed by particleboard and fiberboard in the 1940s and
1950s. The 1970s introduced Oriented Strand Board (OSB), revolutionizing
construction. Recent advancements like Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) focus on sustainability and strength, making
engineered wood essential for structural and nonstructural applications in
modern building and manufacturing.
Wood-based composites are engineered materials made from wood fibers,
particles, and veneers, bonded with adhesives to enhance strength and stability.
These composites are widely used in construction, furniture, and industry.
Traditional wood-based panels include plywood, OSB, particleboard, and
fiberboard, each with unique properties. Adhesives such as phenol-formaldehyde
(PF), urea-formaldehyde (UF), and bio-based alternatives play a crucial role in
performance.
Specialty composites offer moisture resistance, fire retardancy, and insect
protection. Structural composite lumber (SCL), including laminated veneer lumber
(LVL) and parallel strand lumber (PSL), provides high-strength alternatives to
solid wood. Glued laminated timber (glulam) allows for larger, structurally
efficient components.
Wood-nonwood composites, such as wood-thermoplastic and cement-bonded
materials, incorporate inorganic or synthetic components to improve durability
and sustainability. Innovations in cellulose nanocomposites offer promising
applications. Performance standards regulate these products for quality and
safety. As environmental concerns grow, the industry is exploring sustainable
sourcing, low-emission adhesives, and efficient manufacturing to enhance
durability, versatility, and sustainability.
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