The anatomy and anisotropy of wood
A good understanding of the use of wood in the construction sector starts with a basic knowledge of some of the most important species of wood used in construction, and a basic ability to identify them, or at least their broad homogeneous groups, and to identify the three main anatomical directions and the corresponding anatomical sections. Identification is based on close examination of the woody species to observe the main anatomical features and how they are organised. Analysis of the microstructure of wood goes beyond a strict understanding of the anatomy and identification of wood. It provides an explanation of other properties of wood that are important to the construction sector and related to its anisotropic behaviour: thermal conductivity, response to variations in moisture content, mechanical behaviour, viscoelastic behaviour, shrinkage and swelling, reasons for the deformation of manufactured products, and many others.
The webinar is structured according to the following thematic sections:
- Formation and macrostructure of wood
- Microscopic structure of wood
- Characteristics and anisotropy of wood
- Density and variability of wood
- Wood species for structural use
- Thermal conductivity of wood
Giacomo Goli
Associate Professor at the University of Florence and a graduate in Forest Sciences. In 2003, he obtained a PhD in Wood Science at the University of Florence, and the “Mécanique des métiers de l’Ingénieur” at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) in Cluny (F). His main fields of research are concerned with the cultural heritage built in wood (conservation, monitoring and control of environmental conditions, analysis of artefacts), wood processing (modelling of forces and shear strength when processing at different grain orientations), development of new wood-based materials (modified wood and modified wood-based materials). He is involved in regional and national research on the quality of wood and wood-based products, and international research on wood processing and modification technologies.
Marco Togni
An associate professor at the University of Florence since 2001, he holds a degree in Forest Sciences from the University of Florence and obtained a PhD in Wood Science from the same university in 1995. His main fields of research are concerned with wood for structural use: assessment of the mechanical properties of ancient timber structural components and structural systems, in situ inspection and diagnosis, and the characterisation of timber for structural use. He is involved in regional and national research on the quality, uses and characterisation of timber.
