CAHNRS > Biological Systems Engineering > Vikram Yadama > Vikram Yadama

Vikram Yadama

  1. Louisiana Pacific Distinguished Professor in Wood Materials and Engineering
  2. Director, Composite Materials and Engineering Center
Email Addressvyadama@wsu.edu
LocationPACCAR 160
Phone509-335-6261

Biography

Dr. Vikram Yadama is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC) at Washington State University (WSU) and serves as WSU Site Director of the Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites. His interests range from mechanics of wood and wood-based composites; modeling of engineered wood-based composites; structure-process-property relations; processing of wood-based composites, and; industrial extension/outreach in forest products. Prior to coming to WSU, Dr. Yadama held a research faculty position at the Forest Products Laboratory at Mississippi State University conducting research and providing technical assistance in wood-based composites and furniture manufacturing. His research involves production of sustainable composite materials for non-structural and structural applications using underutilized fiber resources. He is committed to finding sustainable methods to consume under-utilized renewable fiber resources, such as small diameter timber, natural fiber residues, and insect-damaged wood, for production of value-added composites for non-structural and structural applications. He has published over 65 journal and proceeding papers and book chapters. His research is supported by industrial clients as well as sponsored research project funds from various agencies including USDA NIFA, NSF, and USDA FS. He was a recipient of NSF CAREER award. As for his outreach work, he collaborated and assisted with over 50 companies nationally and internationally. Since 2003, he organized and co-chaired over 24 symposia and technical workshops.

Website

Education

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 2002
  • M.S., Wood Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 1990
  • B.S., Forestry and Forest Management, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1986

Professional Experience

  • Assistant Research Professor & Extension Specialist, Composite Materials & Engineering Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 2003 – present
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 1998 – 2002
  • Senior Research Assistant; Research Scientist, Forest Products Laboratory, Mississippi State University, 1990 – 1998

Awards

  • First Place, Wiley Research Exposition Engineering/Physics Student Research & Presentation, Washington State University, 2001-2002
  • Suksdorf Fellowship Award, Washington State University, 2000
  • Plywood Pioneers Association Scholarship, 2000 and 2001
  • G. B. MacDonald Memorial Senior Leadership Award for Advanced Studies, Iowa State Univ., 1986
  • Outstanding Senior Award, Iowa State Univ., 1986

Research Interests

  • Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites
  • Modeling of Engineered Wood Composites
  • Structure and Behavior, Behavior of Wood Joints
  • Industrial Extension/Outreach in Forest Products

Publications

  • Yadama, V., E.C. Lowell, N. Peterson and D. Nicholls. 2009. Wood-Thermoplastic Composites Manufactured Using Beetle-Killed Spruce from Alaska. Polymer Engineering and Science. 49(1):129-136.
  • Weight, S.W. and V. Yadama. 2008. Manufacture of laminated strand veneer (LSV) composite. Part 2: Elastic and strength properties of laminate of thin strand veneers. Holzforschung. 62(6):725-730.
  • Weight, S.W. and V. Yadama. 2008. Manufacture of laminated strand veneer (LSV) composite. Part 1: Optimization and characterization of thin strand veneers. Holzforschung. 62(2):718-724.
  • Yadama, V., M.P. Wolcott and D.G. Pollock. 2007. Out-of-plane strand deviation in oriented strand composites. Wood and Fiber Science. 39(4):603-613.
  • Yadama, V. and M.P. Wolcott. 2006. Elastic properties of hot-pressed aspen strands. Wood and Fiber Science. 38(4):742-750.
  • Yadama, V., M.P. Wolcott and L.V. Smith. 2006. Elastic properties of wood-strand composites with undulating strands. Composites Part A. Applied Science and Manufacturing. 37(3):385-392.
  • Yadama, V., J. Zhang, B.M. Syed and P.H. Steele. 2002. Experimental analysis of multiple staple joints in selected wood and wood-based materials. Journal of Testing and Evaluation. JTEVA, Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 400-407.
  • Zhang, J., V. Yadama, F. Quin and D. Lyon. 2002. Resistance of southern yellow pine to direct withdrawal of staples. Forest Prod. J. 52(9): 75-81.