WSC 319 - Wood Deterioration and Protection

The study of the agents that cause weakening and failure of wood. Also taught are the basic science and technological applications needed to understand how wood can be protected from these agents of deterioration. Taught at a general level, the first portion covers basic wood properties and how these are affected by fungal decay, insect attack, marine borer damage, and non-biological agents (fire, weathering, etc.). The machanisms of wood degradation are also discussed. The second portion covers methods for protection of wood from deterioration agents including the use of wood preservatives and the use of proper design techniques. It also covers the importance of wood degrading agents in the environment for carbon cycling and the concerns associated with the use of traditional wood preserving chemicals. Lec 3.

Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement. Lec 2, Lab 3.

Credits: 3