Research at WMEL involves a broad range of projects that exhibit excellence in both fundamental and applied areas of wood materials and engineering.
Specific areas of research emphasis include:
- Design and manufacture of wood composite materials
- Performance based design methodologies for wood materials
- Novel building systems
Publications
Facilities
The Composite Materials and Engineering Center is equipped to conduct research ranging from composite materials development to structural testing.
The 28,000-square-foot facility houses equipment for:
- Furnish generation
- Sorting, drying, blending and forming
- Consolidation
- Physical and chemical property analyses
- Materials and structural testing
- Nondestructive evaluation
- Computer-based modeling and analysis
History of The Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory
The Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory (WMEL) is an interdisciplinary research facility administered through the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State University. The WMEL has received international acclaim during its long history spanning five decades of research in collaboration with industry, government agencies, and other universities. We develop new building materials from a range of recycled and virgin resources. We also develop innovative structural systems to effectively utilize new materials while maintaining economic viability and public safety.
Please download and read in PDF format the “History of the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory 1949-1999”, Written by Thomas M. Maloney.