Engineered Wood Composites Conference Scheduled

Contact: Roberta Laverty, Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center, 207-581-2110; Nick Houtman, Dept. of Public Affairs, 207-581-3777

ORONO– The Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center at the University of Maine, in partnership with the American Forest & Paper Association and APA – the Engineered Wood Association, will host a three-day conference this summer on the use of the latest engineered wood composite materials in design and construction. The meeting, Advances in Engineered Wood Composites: New Products, Manufacturing Technologies, Design Methods, will be held on the UMaine campus August 5-7.

The conference is designed for civil and structural engineers, architects, wood scientists, and research and development personnel who will learn the latest on designing and specifying engineered wood products. Participants will also have a “hands on” opportunity to become familiar with wood composites manufacturing techniques, durability testing and code certification.

Additionally, participants will learn about the use of wood composite materials in meeting building codes and withstanding high stresses related to storms and earthquakes. They will also see demonstrations of product development research and structural testing in the 33,000 square-foot AEWC laboratory.

On the final day, the meeting will focus on the development of Advanced Engineered Lumber and tour the Bangor manufacturing plant where AEL is made. Research leading to the development of AEL was carried out in the AEWC lab.

The cost of the conference is $295 and includes meals and all course materials. For more information or to register for the conference go to www.aewc.umaine.edu.