Introduction to Wood Design
Resource Description This comprehensive course package provides educators with a ready-to-use framework for teaching structural wood design, aligned with CSA O86 and the Wood Design Manual. Suitable for advanced undergraduate or graduate engineering students, the materials include: Lecture Notes: Covering eight key topics with examples and explanations. Assignments & Exams: Five assignments, two midterms, and a final exam (or optional project) to reinforce learning. Design Notes & Tutorials: Step-by-step guidance for practical applications of wood design concepts. Project: Optional real-world design project to apply knowledge. 3D Models & Softwar: Visualization tools and WoodWorks Connections tutorials support interactive learning. 3D Models & Software: Visualization tools and WoodWorks Connections tutorials support interactive learning. Acknowledgments Lead Authors Dr. Niel Van Engelen Reviewers Canadian Wood Council Usage and Citation Guidelines These teaching materials were developed byDr. Niel Van Engelen with partial funding support from the Canadian Wood Council. The content is provided free of charge for teaching and educational purposes only. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of academic teaching is strictly prohibited. When using these resources in any context that requires citation, please use the format below. Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
Wood Bridge Design
Resource Description This comprehensive pedagogical resource presents two detailed mass timber projects, developed to support educators in teaching advanced wood construction concepts. The first project is a 3-storey mass timber office building featuring a Glulam post-and-beam main structural system supporting CLT floor and roof panels. The case study includes extensive engineering calculations for the primary structure, detailed analyses and design of CLT shear walls, and full calculations for all major connections. Sample construction documents are provided at the end of the case study, offering practical examples of how the design can be implemented. The resource is complemented by a fully detailed architectural and structural Revit model, providing a complete digital representation of the project. An accompanying Design Example illustrates practical applications of the design principles, helping students connect theoretical concepts with real-world practice. The second component focuses on timber highway bridge design. Key reference materials include Wood Highway Bridges (CWC), the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code 2014 (CHBDC), CAN/CSA O86-14, and the Ontario Wood Bridge Reference Guide. The material covers wood bridge systems—including decks, superstructures, and substructures—with examples from Canada, the United States, and Europe demonstrating a variety of timber bridge types and designs. Durability considerations are emphasized, including protective roofing, preservative treatments, moisture control, proper detailing for drainage and airflow, and the use of corrosion-resistant connectors. A detailed design example of an 18 m single-span vehicular bridge is included, featuring transverse glulam deck panels on glulam girders. Structural analyses for deck panels and girders, stiffener beams, diaphragms, and major connections are provided, with calculations and code-based design methods aligned with CHBDC standards. Together, these projects provide educators with a robust, ready-to-use teaching package that integrates theoretical knowledge, engineering calculations, construction documentation, and digital modeling. The resource supports instruction in both building and bridge mass timber systems, allowing students to explore structural design, durability, load transfer, and practical implementation in real-world contexts. It is intended to facilitate comprehensive learning in wood construction, bridging the gap between classroom theory and professional practice. Acknowledgments Lead Authors Canadian Wood Council Usage and Citation Guidelines These teaching materials were developed by the Canadian Wood Council. The content is provided free of charge for teaching and educational purposes only. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of academic teaching is strictly prohibited. When using these resources in any context that requires citation, please use the format below. Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
Prefabrication of Wood Buildings
Resource Description This module provides an introduction to wood prefabrication, exploring its various levels and methods to give students a fundamental understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and market factors that influence its successful implementation. Designed for students in structural engineering or related disciplines, the module can be delivered flexibly as four blocks of 90–120 minutes, two blocks of 3–4 hours, or a single full-day session. Acknowledgments Lead Authors Dr. Guido Wimmers Reviewers Canadian Wood Council Usage and Citation Guidelines These teaching materials were developed by Scius Advisory and BIM One with funding support from the Canadian Wood Council. The content is provided free of charge for teaching and educational purposes only. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of academic teaching is strictly prohibited. When using these resources in any context that requires citation, please use the format below. Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
Condensed Timber Engineering Module for Hybrid Course
Resource Description This module series is designed for use in 3rd- or 4th-year steel design courses, providing an efficient way to introduce key wood design concepts within a steel-focused curriculum. It represents a condensed version of the full 10-lecture undergraduate wood design course, distilling the essential principles, methodologies, and applications into a streamlined format. The series can be delivered over approximately four 50-minute lectures, making it suitable for integration into existing course schedules without requiring extensive additional class time. Each module is structured to offer clear explanations, practical examples, and relevant exercises, ensuring that students gain a solid understanding of wood design fundamentals while complementing their study of steel structures. Acknowledgments Lead Authors Dr. John Gales Dr. Chorlton Bronwyn Usage and Citation Guidelines These teaching materials were developed by university professors with funding support from the Canadian Wood Council. The content remains the intellectual property of the respective author(s) and is provided free of charge for teaching and educational purposes only. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of academic teaching is strictly prohibited. When using these resources in any context that requires citation, please use the format below. Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
CIVE480 Timber Structures 2019
Resource Description This course provides a comprehensive introduction to wood and timber engineering, covering materials, structural applications, and design principles. Historical and modern timber structures are examined, with practical design examples provided throughout to reinforce key concepts. Students will explore sawn lumber, panel products, and engineered wood products such as glulam, structural composite lumber, and CLT, along with their applications and design considerations. The course also covers lateral load-resisting systems, member design for bending, tension, and compression, as well as connections, fasteners, and fire safety design.
Low‐Rise Commercial Mass Timber Design Case Study
Resource Description This case study presents a 3-storey mass timber office building designed with a Glulam post-and-beam main structural system supporting CLT floor and roof panels. It has been developed as a teaching resource for educators, providing comprehensive engineering calculations for the primary structure, detailed analyses and design of CLT shear walls, and full calculations for all major connections. To support practical learning, sample construction documents are included at the end of the case study, offering concrete examples of how the design can be implemented. The resource is complemented by a fully detailed architectural and structural Revit model, giving educators a complete digital representation of the project that can be used in teaching or demonstration settings. An accompanying Design Example further illustrates the application of design principles, helping students connect theory with real-world practice. This material is intended to facilitate the instruction of advanced mass timber construction concepts, supporting both the theoretical understanding and practical skills of students. By integrating structural calculations, construction documentation, and digital modeling, it provides educators with a comprehensive, ready-to-use resource for teaching wood-based building design and construction. Acknowledgments Lead Authors Structural Design: Carla Dickof, P.Eeng. M.Sc. Fast+Epp Architectural Design: George Brown College Architectural Technology Program,CADE3002, Class of 2021 – Co-op Students Reviewers Structural Design: Nick Bevilacqua, P.Eng, Struct Eng, Fast+Epp Reed Kelterborn Canadian Wood Council Yang Du Canadian Wood Council Ali Mikael Canadian Wood Council Architectural Design: Dr. Hoda Ganji George Brown College Usage and Citation Guidelines These resources were developed collaboratively by Fast+Epp, the Canadian Wood Council, and contributors from George Brown College. They reflect current design and construction practice and were created to support teaching and learning in wood design and architecture. The resources remain the intellectual property of the respective authors and are provided free of charge for educational purposes. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of an academic setting is strictly prohibited. When these resources are used in a context that requires citation, please use the following format: Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
Wood as a Structural Material: Properties, Systems, and Design
Resource Description A structured undergraduate timber engineering course designed to introduce students to the fundamental material properties of wood and the principles of structural design with timber. Each module includes lecture slides, notes, and worked examples. Module 1 – Physical & Mechanical Properties of Wood.Covers density, moisture content, cellular structure, shrinkage, strength, stiffness, behavior under stress, test methods, failure modes, and modification factors. Module 2 – Structural Wood Products and Systems.Introduces sawn lumber, panel products, and engineered wood products (EWP) such as glulam, structural composite lumber, and CLT. Discusses applications and design considerations. Module 3 – Axially Loaded Members.Examines the behavior and design of tension members, compression members, and members subject to combined axial and bending forces, with examples. Module 4 – Bending Members.Focuses on the design of members subject to bending, including sawn lumber, glulam, composite beams, and CLT panels. Module 5 – Shearwalls and Diaphragms.Discusses lateral load resisting systems, vertical and horizontal bracing, load paths, and the design of light wood frame shearwall and diaphragm assemblies. Module 6 – Design of Connections.Introduces fasteners and connection systems, including nails, screws, bolts, dowels, glued-in rods, and proprietary connectors. This 6-part course provides students with a solid grounding in timber engineering and can be integrated into structural design curricula at the undergraduate level. Acknowledgments Lead Authors Dr. Ying Hei Chui University of Alberta Usage and Citation Guidelines These teaching materials were developed by university professors with funding support from the Canadian Wood Council. The content remains the intellectual property of the respective author(s) and is provided free of charge for teaching and educational purposes only. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of academic teaching is strictly prohibited. When using these resources in any context that requires citation, please use the format below. Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
