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.
Workshop on Wood Education and Workforce Integration
Date: September 24th, 2025 Time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Duration: 4 hours Speakers: Alexander Opazo Vega, Blériot Feujofack, Craig Applegath, Ghasan Doudak, Guido Wimmers, Michael David Burnard, Peter Moonen, Pierre Quenneville
Description:
This workshop will bring together international experts to explore advancements in wood design and construction education, highlighting the multifaceted challenges and, most importantly, showcasing and discussing innovative solutions. The workshop will feature perspectives on timber engineering education in New Zealand, the New European Bauhaus Pioneer Hub and its role in shaping Europe’s future workforce, seismic considerations in timber engineering education in Chile, strategies for integrating design, engineering, and construction in North American wood education, as well as workforce integration and the challenges of engaging young professionals in the field. These discussions will also address key strategies for developing and retaining talent within the sector.
An interactive panel discussion will follow, bringing together all speakers to address the complex landscape of wood education and workforce integration. The panel will explore the evolution of curricula, the integration of emerging technologies, and effective strategies for engaging the next generation in wood design and construction. This will also provide the audience with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the panelists through questions and discussion.
The workshop will conclude with a one-hour roundtable dedicated to shaping an international platform for collaboration. This platform is envisioned to bring together leading experts from around the world, harmonize curricula across institutions, and share high-quality resources to elevate wood education globally. By participating in this roundtable, you will help establish the foundation for a lasting network that fosters innovation, strengthens training, and ensures the next generation of manufacturers, architects, engineers, and builders are well-prepared to design, construct, and maintain advanced wood structures.
In preparation for the workshop, a global survey has been developed to gather insights from educators on wood design and construction. The survey aims to explore current practices, challenges, and technological innovations in wood education. Its findings will provide a data-driven foundation for the workshop discussions, focusing on key topics such as post-secondary education structures, curriculum integration, industry partnerships, and the adoption of new technologies in wood education programs. If you are an educator or professional and would like to share your experiences and perspectives, we invite you to complete the survey by clicking on the following link: Survey Link Here!
This workshop promises to be a pivotal event for shaping the future of wood education, combining academic and industry perspectives to create a unified global approach to training the next generation of professionals in the wood sector.
Agenda:
2:00 – 2:10 PM
Introduction – Peter Moonen, Canadian Wood Council; Guido Wimmers, BCIT; Blériot Feujofack, Canadian Wood Council
2:10 – 3:45 PM
Expert presentations
Innovations in Timber Engineering Education: Insights from New Zealand – Dr. Pierre Quenneville, University of Auckland
Workforce Integration in Wood Design and Construction: Challenges and Solutions for Engaging Young Professionals – Craig Applegath, DIALOG
Empowering Graduates: The Role of the New European Bauhaus Pioneer Hub on Sustainable Built Environment with Renewable Materials – Dr. Michael Burnard, InnoRenew CoE
Advancing Timber Engineering Education in Seismic Regions: Insights from Chile’s Academic and Research Initiatives – Dr. Alexander Opazo Vega, University of Bío-Bío
Advancing Wood Education in Canada and North America: Integrating Design, Engineering, and Construction – Dr. Ghasan Doudak, University of Ottawa
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Panel Discussion – Moderated by Blériot Feujofack, Canadian Wood Council
5:00 – 5:55 PM
Round Table – Led by Peter Moonen, Canadian Wood Council; Guido Wimmers, BCIT; Blériot Feujofack, Canadian Wood Council
5:55 – 6:00 PM
Summary of Activities and Wrap-Up
Featuring:
Blériot Feujofack
Manager Wood Education
Canadian Wood Council
Peter Moonen
National Sustainability Manager
Canadian Wood Council
Mid rise Engineering Considerations for Engineered Wood Products
Course Overview
While many designers are familiar with engineered wood products such as I‐joists and structural composite lumber, it is important to understand the structural requirements associated with each in order to achieve proper performance—especially in mid‐rise Construction. With an emphasis on products used in commercial and multi‐family buildings, this presentation will cover engineered wood product acceptance, testing requirements, lateral design, and proper detailing.
Learning Objectives
Testing requirements and acceptance of wood I‐joists and structural composite.
Lumber (SCL) products; Dimension stability in regards to moisture content changes and the differences between solid wood products.
Lateral design, including information on I‐joist diaphragm capacities and the detailing of rim board connections.
Fire resistance design, including wood I‐joist assembly requirements and SCL char rate equivalency to solid wood.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Jeff Olson, P.E., P.Eng. Technical Services Manager – Boise Cascade, Engineered Wood Products Division Boise Cascade White City, OR
Jeff is currently the Technical Services Manager for Boise Cascade, Engineered Wood Products division. He has over 30 years of experience in the design and testing of engineered wood products and is licensed as a Professional Engineer in several western Canadian provinces and U.S. states.
Mass Timber Buildings and Fire Safety
Course Overview
Welcome, this course is a case study of a number of educational buildings in both the United States and Canada and how wood used in the construction of these buildings supports sustainability, promotes health and motivates learning.
Learning Objectives
How wood was used to create a healthy learning environment.
How wood was used to create a sense of wellbeing by creating warm inviting interiors with large open spaces.
Examines the use of wood in the construction of 20 different educational buildings from elementary and high schools to university research facilities and showcase buildings.
Course Video
Speakers Bio
Steve Craft, Ph.D., P.Eng. Co-founder CHM Fire Consultants – Ottawa, ON
Dr. Steven Craft is a Principal Engineer with CHM Fire Consultants Ltd, which he co-founded in 2011, and an Adjunct Professor in the Fire Safety Engineering Program at Carleton University. He has an undergraduate degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Ph.D. in Fire Safety Engineering from Carleton University. Dr. Craft teaches courses in Wood Engineering, Fire Dynamics, and Wood Structures and Fire Safety at Carleton University. As well, he is active in Canadian and international codes and standards work, including chairing a task group under CSA O86, Canada’s Wood Design Standard, on fire resistance and a task group under ULC’s Fire Test Committee on exterior fire tests.
Wood in Education
Course Overview
Welcome, this course is a case study of a number of educational buildings in both the United States and Canada and how wood used in the construction of these buildings supports sustainability, promotes health and motivates learning.
Learning Objectives
How wood was used to create a healthy learning environment.
How wood was used to create a sense of wellbeing by creating warm inviting interiors with large open spaces.
Examines the use of wood in the construction of 20 different educational buildings from elementary and high schools to university research facilities and showcase buildings.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Coming soon
Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes
Course Overview
Discover the innovative approach to housing supply undertaken by Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel. The Arbor Mill expansion sets a remarkable precedent for other non-profit affordable housing providers who want to build more housing and can do it by adding additional units on top of their existing buildings. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 20-25% of existing buildings can support a vertical addition in wood, which is a comparatively light weight building material.
This novel approach removes the need to find new land to develop and has the added benefit of immediately integrating new residents into an existing supportive community. This project added 6 barrier-free, affordable apartments on top of a 35-year old, occupied residential building using prefabricated mass timber, delivering more affordable housing through the “gentle densification” of existing infrastructure.
In this webinar, the project team will discuss the architectural, structural, and design challenges of the project, including blending prefabricated mass timber construction methods with an older structure built with conventional materials. Key sustainability and construction considerations will also be highlighted. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of the first project teams in North America to pursue this innovative approach to housing delivery.
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn how Pathway, a non-profit community developer in Peel Region, created a plan to expand its housing portfolio while addressing tenant needs and priorities.
Participants will gain insights into the design and approval challenges of the project, including navigating site plan approvals, integrating mass timber, and meeting acoustic and fire safety requirements.
Participants will understand the structural considerations for vertical expansions, which include performing load assessments and evaluating structural options.
Participants will understand the mass timber fabricator’s process and the key considerations for successfully integrating prefabricated mass timber components into a project, including early involvement, securing production spots, and managing construction timelines.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Roman Spektor General Manager Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel
Mechanical engineer by profession, Roman has been the General Manager of Pathway for over 25 years and has managed social housing projects for 35 years. Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel (Pathway) is an interfaith non-profit corporation that was incorporated in 1988. The Pathway organization is run by a volunteer board made up of members of the three founding congregations. Pathway owns and operates two apartment building in Mississauga constructed in the early 90s. Pathway’s two buildings, Forest Ridge and Arbour Mill, house 230 families and are funded by rental income and a government subsidy.
Pathway has also created a separate management company and manages other non-profit housing communities. Roman has coordinated with the volunteer board on all aspects of management of the buildings including budgeting, capital work and project management. Through the creation of programs for the residents, Pathway has created inclusive communities where all residents feel welcome.
Cathy has been a partner in the firm Tafler Rylett Architects since 1996 and is involved in all aspects of the firm’s work including client consultation, design, permit application, specifications and contract administration. Cathy is committed to producing thoughtful and environmentally responsible projects that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. The firm designs with a collaborative process, listening to their client’s requirements and budget and input from the surrounding community.
Cathy was chair of the OAA’s Committee on the Environment and is a member of the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH). The firm’s work includes supportive and affordable housing, offices, institutional and private residential projects. Major projects include supportive housing for Houselink Community Homes, offices for Doctors Without Borders, offices for the U of T Faculty Association, Tiny Treasure Montessori School and affordable housing for Pathway.
Craig Nicoletti, P.Eng. Partner, Structural Engineer Engineering Link Inc.
Craig is a Professional Engineer and Partner for the Structural Division at Engineering Link. He has been with Engineering Link since 2011 and brings more than 20 years of structural engineering expertise to his projects. During his tenure, Craig acquired a diverse portfolio of experience with wood projects that spans all sectors including commercial, recreational, industrial, hospitality, civic, and sporting facilities, in addition to heritage designated sites.
Stephen Balamut, B.Eng. Project Manager Element5
Stephen is a Civil Engineering Graduate of McMaster University. He began with Element5 as a designer and estimator, then moved into his current project manager position where he has overseen over 50 completed mass timber projects, from low- and mid-rise residential, to mixed-use and commercial. As a project manager, Stephen oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of Element5’s mass timber projects. He collaborates closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure the structural integrity and sustainability of the mass timber components. Stephen is driven by a passion for contributing to sustainable projects that have a meaningful and lasting impact on people’s lives.
Seismic Solutions for Resilient Wooden Structures
Course Overview
Timber structures are getting bigger and higher with the availability of economical mass timber products on the market. Timber is also very attractive to designers in seismic-prone regions because of its advantageous strength-to-weight ratio. However, resilience becomes an issue as traditional ductility strategies are not low-damage and result in loss of stiffness following a seismic event.
In this presentation, basic concepts of seismic engineering and structural ductility are reviewed. The drawbacks of typical timber connections designed to provide ductility to timber structures are identified along with the long-term consequences. Resilient seismic dampers provide a solution to this issue. They are self-centering friction devices that do not get damaged within their ultimate capacity. The technology behind the resilient friction dampers is explained along with their application in different structural case studies.
Learning Objectives
Coming Soon
Course Video
Speaker Bio
David Bowick, P.Eng. Adjunct Professor – Masters in Architecture University of Toronto
David Bowick has received many industry honours since he began his career in 1990. His inventive approach to design has made him sought-after, particularly when a project calls for innovative solutions. He is a three-time recipient of the WoodWorks Building the Future engineer award, and has received awards for his work in wood, concrete and architectural steel. Dozens of projects he has worked on have been granted awards in the field of architecture, such as the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the French River Visitors Centre (both recipients of the Governor General’s Award).
An avid teacher, David is an adjunct professor in the Masters in Architecture program at the University of Toronto. He is a frequent guest speaker on the topics of architecture and engineering, and contributes to the industry through committees and events. His writing has appeared in several publications, including Concrete Toronto.
David is a licensed professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick. He is a member of the Canadian Standards Association Technical Committee on CAN/CSA-O86, Engineering Design in Wood and a member of the Technical Committee responsible for the Engineering Guide for Wood Frame Construction.
Regional Design With Wood For Educational Facilities
Course Overview
Hennebery Eddy Architects will discuss approaches to design featuring wood as a primary material in a range of regional and climatic contexts in the western United States. The session will concentrate on the Cascades Academy of Central Oregon in Bend, OR with discussion of Yellowstone Youth Campus in Yellowstone National Park, currently being designed and the recently completed Seattle Preparatory School Chapel in Seattle, WA.
Learning Objectives
Wood and wood/steel hybrid structural systems.
Architectural design in response to immediate and regional settings and wood siding applications.
Versatile interior strategies – structure as finish vs planar design.
Building and Site Planning to minimize site disturbance and maximize sustainable design opportunities.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Timothy R. Eddy, AIA., LEED Accredited Professional Principal Hennebery Eddy Architects
Dan Petrescu, AIA. Associate Principal Hennebery Eddy Architects
Reciprocal Framing Systems
Course Overview
This presentation will provide an overview of reciprocal framing systems, showing examples of well-known structural forms such as lamella arches, as well as less common radial and triangular frames. It will also provide some technical guidance as well as a case study attempting to outline some of the potential benefits to reciprocal framing systems in buildings.
Learning Objectives
An understanding of what a reciprocal frame is.
An understanding of the range of possible reciprocal framing solutions.
Some technical background to provide a starting point for a designer wishing to use a reciprocal frame in a project.
Familiarity with the benefits and drawbacks to reciprocal frames for their appropriate use.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
David Bowick, P.Eng. Adjunct Professor – Masters in Architecture University of Toronto
David Bowick has received many industry honours since he began his career in 1990. His inventive approach to design has made him sought-after, particularly when a project calls for innovative solutions. He is a three-time recipient of the WoodWorks Building the Future engineer award, and has received awards for his work in wood, concrete and architectural steel. Dozens of projects he has worked on have been granted awards in the field of architecture, such as the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the French River Visitors Centre (both recipients of the Governor General’s Award).
An avid teacher, David is an adjunct professor in the Masters in Architecture program at the University of Toronto. He is a frequent guest speaker on the topics of architecture and engineering, and contributes to the industry through committees and events. His writing has appeared in several publications, including Concrete Toronto.
David is a licensed professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick. He is a member of the Canadian Standards Association Technical Committee on CAN/CSA-O86, Engineering Design in Wood and a member of the Technical Committee responsible for the Engineering Guide for Wood Frame Construction.
Preservation of Structural Wood
Course Overview
This webinar will focus on the importance of proper structural applications for preserved wood products, with demonstrated examples of best practices as well as what to avoid.
Learning Objectives
Application of preserved wood products for barns, fences and decks.
Overview of available preserved wood products for structural applications.
CSA 080 requirements for various structural products.
Best practices for installation and maintenance.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Ian Whittington, P.Eng. IWS Wood Products Inc.
Plant a Seed Designing with Wood and Bio based Materials
Course Overview
Concrete, steel, and aluminum are responsible for 23% of the world’s total CO2 emissions. While a portion of those emissions come from other industries, the biggest sinner is without comparison construction. In this presentation, based on Henning Larsen’s recent publication, ‘Plant a Seed’, Fabia will present an alternative, sharing Henning Larsen cases studies and insights on designing with wood and biobased materials for significantly reduced carbon.
Fabia is a Structural Design Engineer and Timber Expert at Henning Larsen with both theoretical knowledge about timber from her engineering degree and practical experience from her work as a carpenter. She has a passion for timber construction and understands the potential of wood in developing unique, sustainable projects. Given her experiences, Fabia has extensive knowledge about incorporating wood in construction processes. She supports design teams by integrating wood into many projects like Henning Larsen’s World of Volvo experience center in Gothenburg, Sweden; Marmormolen, one of Denmark’s largest wooden structures; and Fælledby, Copenhagen’s first wooden district, and winner of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Having co-authored Henning Larsen’s Plant a Seed publication, innovative solutions are always in focus for Fabia, by which she strives to promote wood and biomass as essential materials for building a climate-neutral future.
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