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Manufacturing of Renewable Biocompositesfor Structural Applications

(MEE4800 - 721) – Fall 2012

Instructor: Dr. Sheldon Q. Shi,

Phone: 369-5930, E-mail:

Office location: Discovery Park, Room F102K

Class lecture time: Tue/Thu 2:00 pm – 3:20 pm

Office hours: Tue/Thu 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Meeting place: Discovery Park Room D202

Course Description:

This is a three-credit lecture-based course on the manufacturing processes of biocomposites for structural applications, such as building construction, automotive and aerospace structural components, etc. These renewable biocompositesare consisted of structural panels, structural composite lumber, glued laminated timber (Glulam), wood I-joist, etc., and the natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, such as wood plastic composites (WPC), natural fiber sheet molding compound (SMC), and etc. The characteristics of the biomaterial, such as wood, agricultural fiber, biobased resin/polymer will be discussed in the class. The manufacturing processes of the renewable biocomposites include lamination, mat-forming, compression molding, extrusion, injection molding, etc. The students will understand how these engineered renewable biocomposites are designed, processed, and graded; what the pros and cons are for each product in the structural applications. Students will learn about the related standards, quality assurance, acceptance criteria, and technical guides on these products. Based on the understanding of these renewable biocomposite materials, some application details in construction will be discussed, such as fastener and connection design, fire design, and etc.

Reading list:

  1. Wool, R., X. S. Sun. 2005. Bio-based polymers and composites. Elsevier Academic Press. Burlington, MA.
  2. Mohanty, A. K., M. Misra, and L. T. Drzal Edited. 2005. Natural fibers, biopolymers, and biocomposites. Taylor & Francis. Boca Raton, FL.
  3. Wallenberger, F. T. and N. Weston. 2004. Natural fibers, Plastics and Composites. Kluwer Academic Publishers. New York.
  4. Baillie, C. Edited. 2004. Green Composites: Polymer composites and the environment. CRC Press LLC, Roca Raton, FL.
  5. Schniewind, A.P. Edited. 1989. Concise encyclopedia of wood and wood-based materials.
  6. Walker, J. C. F. Edited. 2005. Wood Processing: Principles and Practice. Second edition. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands.
  7. Sellers, T. Jr. 1985. Plywood and Adhesive Technology. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York.
  8. Maloney, T.M. 1989. Modern particleboard & dry-process fiberboard manufacturing. Miller Freeman Publications. San Francisco, CA.
  9. Suchland, O. and G.E. Woodson. 1986. Fiberboard manufacturing practices in the United States. USDAForest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 640.
  10. Williamson, T.G. Edited. 2002. APA Engineered Wood Handbook. McGraw-Hill. New York.
  11. Forest Product Laboratory. 1999. Wood Handbook – Wood as an Engineering Material. Tech. FPL-GTR-113. Madison, WI.
  12. Marra, A. A. 1992. Technology of wood Bonding, Principle in Practice. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York
  13. APA - The Engineered Wood Association (
  14. Composite Panel Association (
  15. American Wood Council (

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1.Understand the major processes for the biocomposite materials including the lamination, mat-forming, compression molding, extrusion, etc.

2.Understand the types of renewable biocomposites for structural application

3.Understand the characteristics of the biocomposites and their mechanical behaviors

4.Understand the basic adhesion theory and the major adhesives/resins used in biocomposite fabrications.

5.Understand the basics of material grading, quality assurance, quality control, standards, and building codes.

Tentative Schedule

Week / Date / Day / Subject
1 / 8/30 / Tue / Lecture 1 Introduction (Dr. D’Souza)
2 / 9/4 / Tue / Lecture 2Intro Biocomposites
9/6 / Thu / Lecture 3 Characteristics of Bioproducts (1)
3 / 9/11 / Tue / Lecture 4: Mechanics of Bioproducts (2)
9/13 / Thu / Lecture 5:Adhesion theory
4 / 9/18 / Tue / Lecture 6: Cancel (make up class later)
9/20 / Thu / Lecture 7: Cancel (make up class later)
5 / 9/25 / Tue / Lecture 8:Adhesive wetting
9/27 / Thu / Lecture 9:Contact angle determination
6 / 10/2 / Tue / Lecture 10Review
10/4 / Thu / Exam 1
7 / 10/9 / Tue / Lecture 11Lamination process (1): Plywood
10/11 / Thu / Lecture 12 Lamination process (2): Plywood processing
8 / 10/16 / Tue / Lecture 13Lamination process (3): Plywood QA and QC
10/18 / Thu / Lecture 14(4): Plywood design
9 / 10/23 / Tue / Lecture 15: Glulam
10/25 / Thu / Lecture 16: Glulam/LVL
10 / 10/30 / Tue / Lecture 17I-joist: Analytical moment & EI
11/1 / Thu / Lecture 18Mat-forming process (1): Strand/flakeboard
11 / 11/6 / Tue / Lecture 19: Mat-forming process (2): OSL, Scrimber, and other SCLs
11/8 / Thu / Lecture 20: Extrusion, Injection molding process
12 / 11/13 / Tue / Lecture 21:Natural fiber sheet molding compound (SMC)
11/15 / Thu / Lecture 22:Building design considerations (1): moisture
13 / 11/20 / Tue / Exam 2
11/22 / Thu / Thanksgiving Holiday
14 / 11/27 / Tue / Lecture 23: Building design consideration (2): fire/fastener
11/29 / Thu / Lecture 24: Review
15 / 12/4 / Tue / Pre final week
12/6 / Thu
16 / 12/11 / Tue / Final Exam

Grading:

90 - 100% (A); 80 - 89% (B); 70 - 79% (C);60 – 69% (D);Below 60 (F)

Evaluation components% of Grade

Exams(2 exams: 20% each, final exam: 40%)80

Homework20

Class Policies

  1. All students with disabilities are guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation, please see the instructor and/or contact the Office of Disability Accommodation at 940.565.4323 during the first week of class.
  2. Students are required to attend lectures and laboratory classes.
  3. Homework will be turned in on the due date.
  4. Makeup examination will not be given, and only be administered under extreme circumstances with a documented university excuse.
  5. The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. As an instructor, I seriously read thesefeedbacksfrom SETE, as I work to continually improve my teaching. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class.
  6. The instructor reserves the right to change this grade distribution at the end of the semester. If any changes occur, the changes will be less stringent that the distribution above.
  7. State and federal laws protect this course lectures and materials. You are authorized to take notes for your own personal use and no commercial uses.

4.This syllabus is subject to change at any time during the semester with changes to be announced during the class hours.

5.Cell phones, iPhones, iPods, iPads, laptops must be powered off during the lecturing.