Introduction to Structural Design of Wood Buildings per the 2012 NDS - October 10-12, 2012 -  Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center -  Blacksburg, VA
General Information

Who Should Attend
This course is designed for individuals who never had the opportunity to learn wood design basics in a university-level course but are involved in the design, construction, and inspection of wood buildings. The primary focus and objectives of this course are a mastery of wood design basics and understanding of the many factors routinely used and required by the 2012 National Design Specification (NDS®) for Wood Construction.

Varsity Building Photo

Photos (Courtesy of Cates Engineering Ltd.) Mixed-use residential/retail complex with 5 story, Type 3A wood framed construction on top of a podium and two levels of parking.

What Will You Learn
This course will focus on practical code-conforming design of wood structures based on provisions of the 2012 NDS®. At the beginning of the course, we will review the mechanical properties of lumber, the derivation of allowable design stresses, and safety factors that are involved in the design process. The role of moisture content on shrinkage and swelling that can impact the performance of wood structural elements or components in-service will be demonstrated by examples. We will design simple elements showing what factors apply to the allowable design properties of lumber and timbers and explain why the various factors apply to a design situation. The methodology of lateral load design to resist wind and seismic loads will be presented. The design methodology for diaphragms and shear walls will be demonstrated by examples.

The objectives of this course are a mastery of wood design basics and understanding of the many factors routinely used and required by the 2012 National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AWC NDS- 2012). All design calculations will be based on our strict interpretation of the ANSI/AWC NDS-2012. In addition to presenting designs that are code conforming, the instructors will discuss “good practice” when it may apply to worked examples. Three hours will be devoted to structural testing demonstrations and related discussion at the Brooks Forest Products Research Center.

The course notebook will contain the structural analyses and designs presented at the course, thereby relieving the participants of extensive note taking. Participants will receive a certificate for 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) equivalent to 16 hours of instruction. The registration fee includes lunches, refreshment breaks, and the new 2012 Wood Design Package containing the following publications:

  • ANSI/AWC NDS-2012 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction – with Commentary,
  • ANSI/AWC SDPWS-08 – Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) with Commentary, and
  • ASD/LRFD Manual for Engineered Wood Construction, 2012 Edition.

Sponsored by

Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education

For More Information

For more specific information on course content, please contact Dr. Frank Woeste at 540-951-0469, or email: fwoeste@vt.edu



Continuing & Professional Education @ Virginia Tech