We restore and design timber structures of all types, all over the world, for government, corporate, and private clients. Here is a sample of our past work.
Full Refunds will be issued if the course is cancelled by Wood Research and Development (WRD) only. Participant cancellation is subject to a 20% administrative fee by WRD. No cancellations or registrations will be accepted less than 24 hours before course is scheduled to take place. Cancellations must be made in writing. Substitutions may be made for a $60 processing fee. Wood Research and Development withholds the right to reschedule courses based on attendance requirements or emergencies. Advance notification will always be given of rescheduling, when possible, and substituition processing fee will be waived if Wood Research and Development reschedule a course.
Cheque – please make payable to Wood Research and Development
For Credit Card payment or Electronic Funds Transfers, please call the phone number below associated with the country where you submit your course registration.
PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO COURSE START DATE
WRD HST #848135778RT0001
Australia
Wood Research and Development
49- 53 Kabi cct
Deception Bay, QLD 4508
07 54283689
Canada
Wood Research and Development
PO BOX 3014
Hillsborough, NB E4H 4W5
1-877-353-0683 | 1-506-800-0302
United States
Wood Research and Development
10466 Sunnyside RD SE
PO BOX 70 Jefferson, OR 97532
503-385-8379
Wood Research and Development (WRD) is a leading provider of professional engineering and timber consulting solutions to public and private sector clients. We provide world-class species identification, testing, education, and engineering design for mass timber structures. We specialize in working with timber structures, with a unique focus on mass timber buildings and timber bridges.
We are looking for a reliable and detailed-oriented AutoCAD Technician in our Jacksonville, Florida office to develop and design timber repairs and new construction for a variety of structures. The technician will also review design parameters and values with engineers for various timber structure types. This position is a key member of our engineering team and our company’s success.
• Prepare and review rough sketches and review them along with the Engineering team
• Create accurate CAD drawings from hand sketches, verbal instructions, and site visits
• Systematically save sketches and drawings on our web-based storage site; keep the server organized; update project folders
• Input design specifications into the CAD software
• Calculate dimensions, weight limitations, and requirements in materials
• Identify potential operational issues and redesign products to improve functionality
• Review and check sketches and drawings for errors before being sent to Engineers and Project Managers
• Seek clarity and understanding from Engineers and Project Managers when you are not 100% certain of something
• Complete job reports
• Previous work experience as an AutoCAD Technician
• Advanced knowledge of CAD and AutoCAD software
• Excellent technical design skills
• Ability to read and translate blueprints and technical drawings
• Basic understanding of bridge components
• Keen eye for detail
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually on projects
• Excellent communication skills; listening, comprehension and feedback
• Self-starter and self-motivator when no one is available to provide instructions
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience
• Construction industry experience
• Valid passport or the ability to obtain one
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to travel in North America and Internationally for several weeks at a time.
At Wood Research and Development, we believe in compensating our employees a fair livable wage to our employees across the board and pay above the industry average for our field which is commensurate with experience. WRD offers benefits options, to its employees and their dependents, along with other benefits such as PTO, Vacation days, and 401K with employer matching.
All applicants (if selected) must be able to complete pre-employment requirements which include all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and driver’s license check, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Wood Research and Development provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Wood Research and Development (WRD) is a leading provider of professional engineering and timber consulting solutions to public and private sector clients. We provide world-class species identification, testing, education, and engineering design for mass timber structures. We specialize in working with timber structures, with a unique focus on mass timber buildings and timber bridges.
We are looking for a reliable and detailed-oriented AutoCAD Technician in our Deception Bay, QLD office to develop and design timber repairs and new construction for a variety of structures. The technician will also review design parameters and values with engineers for various timber structure types. This position is a key member of our engineering team and our company’s success.
• Prepare and review rough sketches and review them along with the Engineering team
• Create accurate CAD drawings from hand sketches, verbal instructions, and site visits
• Systematically save sketches and drawings on our web-based storage site; keep the server organized; update project folders
• Input design specifications into the CAD software
• Calculate dimensions, weight limitations, and requirements in materials
• Identify potential operational issues and redesign products to improve functionality
• Review and check sketches and drawings for errors before being sent to Engineers and Project Managers
• Seek clarity and understanding from Engineers and Project Managers when you are not 100% certain of something
• Complete job reports
• Previous work experience as an AutoCAD Technician
• Advanced knowledge of CAD and AutoCAD software
• Excellent technical design skills
• Ability to read and translate blueprints and technical drawings
• Basic understanding of bridge components
• Keen eye for detail
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually on projects
• Excellent communication skills; listening, comprehension and feedback
• Self-starter and self-motivator when no one is available to provide instructions
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience
• Construction industry experience
• Valid passport or the ability to obtain one
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to travel Internationally for several weeks at a time.
At Wood Research and Development, we believe in compensating our employees a fair livable wage to our employees across the board and pay above the industry average for our field which is commensurate with experience. WRD offers benefits options, to its employees and their dependents, along with other benefits such as PTO, Vacation days, and 401K with employer matching.
All applicants (if selected) must be able to complete pre-employment requirements which include all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and driver’s license check, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Wood Research and Development provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Wood Research and Development (WRD) is a leading provider of professional and technical engineering and
consulting solutions to public and private sector clients. We specialize in working with timber structures, with a
special focus on mass timber buildings and timber bridges.
WRD is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer with 10-15 years of design experience along with project management and construction experience in bridges and commercial projects at our Brisbane office for an immediate start.
Over the past 10 years, we have worked closely with Timber Restoration Services, a construction company that restores, upgrades, and replaces timber bridges, providing designs for D&C projects as well as performing bridge inspections, and delivering associated reports. With offices in the USA and Canada, our engineers have often worked on overseas projects to supplement the workload from those offices.
All applicants (if selected) must be able to complete pre-employment requirements which will include all the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and driver’s license check, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
With offices overseas and work all over Australia, it is a requirement that you hold or can obtain a valid passport, able to obtain required work visas, and be willing to travel worldwide.
The position of Senior Structural Engineer offers the opportunity to travel and work, an excellent salary package, and planned career advancement.
This position offers a challenging career move for a Senior Engineer looking to take the lead on globally significant timber infrastructure projects step into more responsibility and work in a supportive yet autonomous working environment.
How to apply
If you have the relevant experience and would like to apply for the position, please email your CV and cover letter to admin@woodranddaustralia.com
Your application will include the following questions:
Wood Research and Development (WRD) is a leading provider of professional and technical engineering and
consulting solutions to public and private sector clients. We specialize in working with timber structures, with a
special focus on mass timber buildings and timber bridges.
WRD has an immediate need for an Intermediate Structural Engineer with 5 years of professional structural
design/inspection experience for our Hillsborough, NB office. We’re looking for our ideal candidate who is Licensed as a Professional Engineer in at least one province in Canada.
At WRD we believe in compensating our employees above the average across the board for our field and is commensurate with experience.
All applicants (if selected) must be able to complete pre-employment requirements which will include all
of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and driver’s license check, in compliance
with any applicable laws and regulations.
Wood Research and Development (WRD) is a leading provider of professional and technical engineering and
consulting solutions to public and private sector clients. We specialize in working with timber structures, with a
special focus on mass timber buildings and timber bridges.
WRD has an immediate need for a Senior Timber Structural Engineer with 5 years of experience. We’re looking to hire multiple candidates for this role.
At WRD we believe in compensating our employees above the average across the board for our field and is commensurate with experience.
All applicants (if selected) must be able to complete pre-employment requirements which will include all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and driver’s license check, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Wood Research and Development (WRD) is a leading provider of professional and technical engineering and
consulting solutions to public and private sector clients. We specialize in working with timber structures, with a
special focus on mass timber buildings and timber bridges.
WRD has an immediate need for a Senior Timber Structural Engineer with 5 years of experience. We’re looking to hire multiple candidates for this role.
At WRD we believe in compensating our employees above the average across the board for our field and is commensurate with experience.
All applicants (if selected) must be able to complete pre-employment requirements which will include all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and driver’s license check, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Wingspread was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1938-39 as the residence of Herbert F. Johnson Jr. The house is now used as a conference facility by The Johnson Foundation. The home is centered around a large domed living room. However, like many of Wright’s designs, it pushed the limits of the structural systems that were available at the time of construction. Due to excessive snow loading and remodels which removed shear walls, the exterior bearing walls had pushed outward and the roof of this dome had begun cracking. In partnership with Robert Silman Associates, WRD engineers developed a replacement rafter system that would maintain the aesthetic appearance from both inside and outside while greatly increasing the strength. The system that was developed consisted of several layers of epoxy-coated carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CRP) face-bonded to laminated veneer lumber (LVL).
Wood Research and Development (WRD) was selected to complete a level II bridge inspection of the Keystone Wye Interchange which consists of two timber highway bridges, the 411 (lower bridge) and the 412 (arch bridge). Non-destructive tests, including stress-wave timer testing, were carried out to find the health of the main timber structural elements.
The first building in Austria to incorporate Dr. Tingley's FiRP® technology was successfully completed through collaboration among various partners. These included the owner, Blaha Family from Vienna, the architect and engineering firm RW Tragwerksplanung, also from Vienna, the laminator, and the engineering team from Wood Research and Development in America, who provided valuable consultancy.
With a footprint of 1,700 m2, the building utilized 73 m3 of glulam beams, out of which 56 m3 were curved beams. The roof main girders consisted of 10 FiRP® Glulam beams measuring 20 cm x 100 cm x 26 m, specifically BSH 14 quality, featuring 2 layers of aramid fiber reinforcement (ARP). The roof side girders were of the same size but remained unreinforced.
To minimize timber transportation, the project required only 11 truckloads, including the prefabricated wood elements used for covering. Each trip covered approximately 400 kilometers, with consideration given to reducing transportation costs through beam size optimization. The structure was erected within a span of 15 days, marking a successful milestone.
The NEST, a natural science and learning center situated in Bradenton, FL at the Robinson Preserve, offers more than just educational experiences but also serves as a versatile event space, available for public rentals such as weddings, parties, and various other events. Although the structure was constructed in 2018, it encountered challenges early on in 2022 stemming from the type of connectors and seal/preservative treatments employed during its initial construction. Needing help and looking for answers, Officials at the NEST reached out to WRD looking for an analysis and inspection of the facility to provide clarity and answers to their problems. Our timber inspection team and Wood lab testing teams worked, diligently to address these issues. Following inspections and analysis conducted by WRD, we were able to help guide them in the right direction by providing detailed lab results and structural assessment reports to find the best repair plan possible based on cost, timelines, and quality of repair for the structure's health. Per our recommendation the client reached out to our preferred masstimber repair partner Timber Restoration Services to complete the glulam repair. Sourcing glulam beams from the Southeastern US to perfectly match the existing species within the structure TRS then expertly manufactured the required beam lengths in-house. For the restoration process, Their team strategically removed only the ends of the damaged joists to optimize material and installation costs. Employing a mortise and tenon connection method, TRS seamlessly integrated the new joists with the existing elements, resulting in a structurally sound timber connection that remains concealed from external view.
The South Arm Bridge is located in New South Wales, AU. The old timber bridge has been an iconic symbol of the town since it symbolized the progress of the town of Byron Shire from a logging, shipping port to a popular tourist destination. This two-lane, 7 span bridge was built in 1958-1959.
With a community heavily invested in environmental issues it made perfect sense to restore and upgrade the bridge back to its former glory. Using data gathered by our inspection team, Wood Research and Development put together a design plan to upgrade the existing bridge from 10 tonnes to 44 tonnes, recycling the existing timbers wherever possible. The existing piles were restored, and a new superstructure was installed.
Dr. Tingley, an esteemed consultant from WRD, provided invaluable expertise in the realm of design modeling, introducing the groundbreaking FiRP technology. This innovative technology has revolutionized various technical aspects, earning widespread recognition for its versatile and innovative capabilities. With its unique properties, FiRP has unlocked limitless possibilities for incorporating lightweight and aesthetically pleasing designs into architectural projects.
One remarkable example that showcases the transformative power of FiRP is the Austria Center Vienna. With Dr. Tingley's guidance, this technology seamlessly integrated into the design concept for the center's overhang and entrance. The incorporation of FiRP not only enhanced the overall aesthetic appeal of the building but also pushed the boundaries of design possibilities. The pivotal role of Dr. Tingley's consulting expertise ensured the resounding success of this project.
Dr. Dan Tingley was one of the senior design engineers for this 12-story domed building called the Belledome. This is New Brunswick’s largest domed building. Construction of the plant began in 1986 and it was completed in 1988 and is used to store coal for an electric power plant. Steel is not acceptable for such structures, because of s02 (sulphur dioxide). At 450 MW, it is designed to burn coal which is delivered by ship through the Port of Belledune and occasionally by rail or truck.
The Providence Road bridge is a five-span timber vehicle overpass over a Canadian Pacific Railway line near Oshawa, Ontario. In June 2013, Wood Research and Development (WRD) performed an inspection of the bridge and made recommendations for a repair strategy. Beginning in October of 2013, Timber REstoration Services (TRS) completed the retrofit and replacement of the bridge. The repairs included in-place restoration of the substructure and complete replacement of the superstructure and deck. The replacement superstructure consists of glulam timber girders, a transverse glulam timber deck, and a crash-tested timber guard rail system. The complete bridge has achieved a CL-625-ONT load rating.
The Dillman Bridge in Meaghers Grant was put out for tender in 2019 as a Design-Build project. The old bridge had been decommissioned for over two years after a vehicle accident on the bridge rendered the bridge unusable. This forced the
local residents to take a 17-minute detour. The bridge site is located in one of the highest exposed and embedded corrosion zones in the world, making steel and concrete products much more susceptible to the elements than timber. Upon winning the tender, Timber Restoration Services contracted Wood Research and Development for the design work.Wood Research and Development designed a 35 m long by 7.6m wide with a load rating of CL-625, tu gas a TL-4 crash proof rail system and an Alaskan Yellow Cedar handrail. The substructure consists of driven timber piles with a glulam timber back wall specifically designed for timber bridges.
The superstructure is comprised of glulam laminated deck panels sitting on eight glulam girders which have two fixed end movement connections that were assembled onsite. The use of High Strength Fiber (FiRP®) and advanced techniques make this lightweight option not only a cheaper alternative but also provides additional longevity. All fasteners and hardware are hot-dipped galvanized.
Wood Research and Development (WRD) was selected to complete a level II bridge inspection of the Keystone Wye Interchange which consists of two timber highway bridges, the 411 (lower bridge) and the 412 (arch bridge). Non-destructive tests, including stress-wave timer testing, were carried out to find the health of the main timber structural elements.
Wood Research and Development was commissioned by Stantec Engineering to complete an inspection on the Keystone Wye
Interchange which consisted of two timber highway bridges. Analysis of the structure has determined that the bridges are in good shape with some restoration and maintenance required. WRD designed a fix involving diffusing all timber elements with SWT Readings in the yellow and red zones to arrest decay, epoxy-filling gaps between girder and the road deck and continuing the process of cleaning and staining the surface of the timber. It was recommended that a follow-up of non-destructive testing
should occur within two years of the original testing. Following the recommendations should prolong the useful life of the structure for another 50 years.
A huge cost saving on this project was the use of the existing piles. Found through inspection to be in great condition, the piles allowed Wood Research And Development (WRD) to place a 3-lane bridge where an old steel two-lane bridge existed previously. This was made possible due to the lightweight property of timber. Using existing piles would not have been possible with the weight of concrete or steel. The cost savings with this are estimated at nearly $1 million. Timber Restoration Services (TRS) was retained from NS TIR to produce a design-build bridge to replace the existing 48-year-old steel arch bridge. Being located in the highest embedded and exposed corrosion zone in Canada, many elements of the bridge were rusted out and failed. The bridge had been taken out of service and slated for replacement. TRS teamed up on this project with WRD, who took care of the design aspect and construction oversight for the project. WRD had tested the existing 80-year-old timber piles of the existing structure and determined that with little restoration, these piles had enough capacity to support the new structure and would go another 80 years. TRS manufactured and installed the three-pinned arch glulam timber arch which is the longest three-lane, timber clear span bridge in Canada. The design incorporated the placement of a 500-tonne crane on the jump span to install the timber arches.
Wood Research and Development (WRD) utilized their extensive expertise in timber structural engineering and heritage building assessment to conduct a thorough analysis of the old Cotton mill, built in 1902, with the aim of determining its feasibility for conversion into a mixed-use building. Their team of experts, boasting over 100 years of experience, meticulously assessed the structural integrity of the mill, considering factors such as load-bearing capacity, durability, and potential renovations required to meet modern safety standards.
Following their detailed structural analysis, WRD formulated a comprehensive design and refurbishment plan tailored to the specific needs of Mississippi State University and the City of Starkville, MS. Their creative solution involved repurposing the mill into a versatile space that would accommodate retail, commercial, and event facilities. The plan incorporated innovative design elements while preserving the historical aspects of the building, highlighting the rich heritage of the cotton milling industry in the region.
Through their expertise and careful evaluation, Wood Research and Development provided valuable insights and recommendations to ensure the successful transformation of the Cotton mill. Their commitment to combining technical excellence with respect for heritage resulted in a well-crafted design and refurbishment plan, aligning with the vision of Mississippi State University and the City of Starkville, and creating a vibrant, functional space for various activities.
Chris works as a Timber Structures Designer and Senior CAD Specialist in our Oregon office. His career has spanned various architectural projects—retail, manufacturing, residential—as well as designing timber structures for WRD through CAD work. Chris’s passion for timber structures is evident in everything he does.
He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Architecture in 2007, then gained experience as an Architectural Designer before joining WRD in 2012.
Nino, a CAD Technician at WRD since August 2024, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. With nearly 20 years of architectural design and drafting experience across the Philippines, Singapore, and Australia, he is the team's Revit CAD expert, mentoring other drafters.
Nino's portfolio includes drafting new and retrofitted bridges (creating retrofit symbolism), structural repairs for buildings, and promoting 3D modelling in design.