Topic outline

  • Wood as a Sustainable Material

    Credits: 2 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Few building materials possess the environmental benefits of wood. It is not only our most widely used building material but also one with characteristics that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. Efficient, durable, and useful wood products produced from trees can range from a minimally processed log at a log-home building site to a highly processed and highly engineered wood composite which is manufactured in a large production facility.

    One of the greatest attributes of wood is that it is a renewable resource. If sustainable forest management and harvesting practices are followed, our wood resource will be available indefinitely. This course provides an introduction to wood as a sustainable raw material, types of forest certification programs, and a broad glossary of wood product terminology.

    Topics:

    • Wood as a Green Building Material
    • Concept of "Embodied Energy"
    • Carbon Impact of Wood Products
    • Sustainability of Wood
    • Overview of Forest Certification Programs
    • Glossary of Wood Product Terminology

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Structural, Civil, Materials, Construction, Transportation, and other engineers whose job description may require a comprehensive knowledge of wood as an engineering material.
    Publication Source: US Forestry Service, Wood Handbook, Chapter 1, April 2010 Edition

    D. Allen Hughes, PE

    • Topic 1