Goals in Mind

As research and designing begins for the students of the Green Oak Initiative, it has been important to establish overall goals and the tasks that will help to reach our goals in mind.  Our first task at hand is structuring a packet of current building techniques and knowledge of using green oak in construction. This information will be important not only for future research, but also to inform students in a studio working on schematic designs of a 4H camp, and a future design-build project in West Tennessee.  If the grant is received for construction, the project will be made to showcase the benefits and possibilities of using green oak in construction.

Students discuss the implications of using several varieties of

 construction methods.

Prof. Ted Shelton and students of the Green Oak seminar
 course discussfuture goals and scheduling of the research.

Currently, students in the research seminar are gaining current knowledge of physical characteristics of green oak and the use of un-dried wood in construction.  Most of the construction information comes from European projects utilizing the material.  It is important in not only converting structural knowledge from European standards to American standards, but to also establish the best form of joinery for the current building industry in America.  As some traditional joinery seems more unrealistic than practical, we found that a possible hybrid of traditional and metal joints would be appropriate.

Other future goals will include some form of testing of the material, building a mock-up of a proposed structural system, and creating a publishable document that can be used along with this blog to inform others and create a wider acceptance of green oak in construction.