AEWC Research

Development and Testing of wood composites for transportation infrastructure. This research, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration has focused on expanding the use of FRP (Fiber reinforced polymer) glulams in bridge applications. For extensive information about this research, click on the bridge.
Extrusion: Development of the next generation of fiber/polymer composite construction materials. AEWC’s state-of the-art, 68-foot-long extrusion system combines fibers with polymers and is used for research, development and testing of products, such as doors, flooring, walls, decking, fencing, and moldings. This Davis-Standard Woodtruder enables the Center’s researchers to commercially develop the next generation of fiber/polymer-composite construction materials, and it is available to assist manufacturers in researching and developing new products or enhancing existingproduct lines. Specific research and development topics include: development of composites from recycled wood and fibers for residential construction; development of extruded composite materials for slip resistant decking and waterfront retaining walls in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard; analysis of volatile organic compound emissions from wood composite processing; and interface adhesion studies of cellulose-fiber/polymer composites.			Engineered Lumber: Improving on traditional glulam construction products Advanced Engineered Lumber (AEL) is a prime example of AEWC’s synthesis of basic research, product development, and commercialization AEL, a glulam construction product developed and patented by AEWC, is a beam & column product for residential and commercial construction with design properties that allow bending strength ranging from 2,800 to 3,400 pounds per square inch. AEL technology allows for spatially dispersing and randomizing defects in wood structure. AEL combines low grade, underutilized and abundant hardwoods into a structural engineered wood product that meets and exceeds current residential and light commercial wood framing products and was recently certified as a building-code approved product by ICBO. As a housing construction product AEL can be used
Material Evaluation: Improving the durability of construction materials AEWC has a broad agenda of applied and basic research on the durability of construction materials especially focused on wood decay and the protection of wood in the presence of moisture and temperature fluctuations; wood preservatives; extreme environmental effects and dynamic load effects on material integrity. Specific research topics include: Effects of Wood Preservative Treatments on Mechanical Properties of E-glass/Phenolic Pultruded Composite Reinforcement for Wood; Effect of Resin Type on OSB Durability; Assessment of Water Penetration Resistance of Coatings on Wood and Wood Composites by Droplet Dyamics Analysis; Degradation of E-Glass/Phenolic Pultruded Composites by Wood Decay Fungi.
Development of Wind-Hazards Resistant Advanced Wood Construction Over the past decade, AEWC has developed a new technology which shows promise for saving lives and reducing property damage. The technology involves reinforcing wood construction materials with small fractions of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs). These PMC reinforced wood composites are two to three times stronger, more impact resistant and more ductile than their unreinforced counterparts. Homes and buildings constructed with these advanced materials should greatly enhance occupant protection from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadic missiles, and other natural threats. In addition to their benefits in new construction, these technologies can be used to retrofit and strengthen existing wood buildings.

The AEWC Center

The Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center

The Advanced Structures and Composites Laboratory