Topic outline

  • Use of Wood In Buildings and Bridges

    Credits: 2 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    In North America, most housing and commercial structures built prior to the 20th century used wood as the major structural material. The abundant wood resource formed the basic structure for most houses, commercial buildings, bridges, and utility poles. Today, houses and many light commercial and industrial buildings are made using modern wood structural materials. Recently, there has been increased interest in using wood for various types of transportation structures, including highway bridges.

    In this course, the features of various types of building systems are described. Emphasis is placed on how these systems have adapted to the use of modern materials and techniques. For example, where floor, wall, and roof sheathing for light-frame construction were once commonly made from wood boards, sheathing is now commonly made from structural panel products, such as plywood and oriented strandboard (OSB). Compared with boards, these panel products are quicker to install and provide improved structural resistance to wind and earthquake loadings. Furthermore, prefabricated floor and wall panels along with prefabricated roof and floor trusses or I-joists are replacing piece-by-piece on-site construction with dimension lumber.

    A structure can be enclosed within a short time on site using factory-made panelized systems. Engineered wood products are being used increasingly for transportation structures. A brief description of the uses of wood in railroad and highway bridges and other transportation structures is included.

    Topics:

       
    • Light-Frame Buildings
    • Foundations,Floors,Exterior Walls, Ceiling, Roof
    • Wood Decks
    • Post-Frame and Pole Buildings
    • Log and Heavy Timber Buildings
    • Timber Frame
    • Mill Type
    • Glulam Beam
    • Arch and Dome structures
    • Timber Bridges
    • Log Stinger
    • Sawn Lumber
    • Structural Composite Lumber
    • Considerations for Wood Buildings
    • Thermal Insulation and Air Infiltration Control
    • Moisture and Sound Control

    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 engineering professional whose job description may require a basic knowledge of the use of wood materials in the construction of buildings and bridge structures.
    Publication Source: US Forestry Service, Wood Handbook, Chapter 17, April, 2010 Edition

    D. Allen Hughes, PE

    • Topic 1