Feature Question
Where can I source examples of wood building design and connections?
Listed below are several very good online resources, most of which are free. In addition, design practitioners may wish to consider the following tips for successful wood connections.
| 1. |
|
|
|
Avoid the use of details which induce tension perpendicular to grain stresses in the wood. |
| |
|
|
|
|
• |
These come from (among other things) hanging connections, notching of the framing member, and large diameter fasteners. |
| 2. |
|
|
|
Allow for dimensional changes in the wood due to potential in-service moisture cycling (understand the end use of the connections). |
| |
|
|
|
|
• |
Because wood expands and contracts based on changes in its moisture content, connections need to allow for movement. |
| 3. |
|
Minimize exposure of end grain. |
| |
|
|
|
|
• |
The end of a beam or column acts like a straw and, when exposed to moisture or pressed against a porous cementitious material like concrete or masonry, will act as a capillary and absorb moisture. |
| 4. |
|
Avoid moisture entrapment in connections. |
| |
|
|
|
|
• |
Give connections an opportunity to drain so whatever water does penetrate has a chance to evaporate. |
| 5. |
|
Use smaller, multiple fastener connections. |
| |
|
|
|
|
• |
This distributes the load over a larger area (resulting in less concentrated loads) and adds redundancy to the connection.
|
Online Resources
Design Standards and Technical Reports
American Institute of Timber Construction
Typical Construction Details
American Wood Council
National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction
General Dowel Equations for Calculating Lateral Connections Values: Technical Report 12
Technical Report – Is Your Wood Connection All Stressed Out? It Needn’t Be.
Note: the NDS is the standard reference for designing wood connections and is included in the International Building Code (IBC).
Online Courses
APA – The Engineered Wood Association
Website Course 201: Design of Wood Connections
American Wood Council
eCourse DES110: The Wood Connection Session
Design Aids
American Wood Council
Online Connection Calculator for wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete, and wood-to-steel connections
Western Wood Products Association
Downloadable wood-to-wood connections
For support with a specific project, visit woodworks.org and contact a technical director in your area.
|
