AROOSTOOK COUNTY — First-year students in Northern Maine Community College’s Building Construction Technology program recently visited UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center.
Students toured some of the latest research and development projects involving wood, wood fibers, and composites of wood with various resins.
NM students and instructor Frank Pytlak also learned of the research being performed in conjunction with other advanced building construction materials including wind power and propeller development, innovative techniques for various types of plywood constructions, and new uses for oriented strand wood products.
Interest developed in the Center with the recent acceptance of Norway Spruce into the Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF-S) grade within the construction lumber design limits. Personnel from the Center and UMO students tested 1000’s of pieces of the species for various strength qualities. Because of these results, Norway Spruce will now be allowed in floor, wall, and roof construction purposes in the country.
Norway Spruce, a species not indigenous to the US, was introduced in the early 1900’s through the efforts of President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps New Deal. Maine, and in particular Aroostook county, received a large share of the plantings.
Northern Maine Community College strives to provide unique experiences to its students which includes immersion visits to other locations to learn about research, development and innovation in the industries it serves. To learn more, visit NMCC online at nmcc.edu.
