Design of Wood Structures

Catalog description

BE 462 covers structural properties of wood, design of wood structural elements, design of wood structural systems, and design of post-frame buildings. The course begins by defining the structural loads applicable to wood framed building systems. Them, students are introduced to the unique physical and structural characteristics of solid lumber and other wood products, such as plywood and other panel products and structural composite lumber, including laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber and composite wood I-joists. The engineering principles and specifications for designing wood structural members, including tension members, beams, columns, and beam-columns are presented in detail using the National Design Specification for Wood Design. Design specifications for designing wood structural connections using dowels, such as nails, bolts and lag-screws, are presented. Design procedures for designing selected wood-frame systems, such as floors, trusses, structural diaphragms and shear walls, are also presented. Students are introduced to a computer program which is an invaluable aid for analyzing and designing wood framed structural systems. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to specify structural loads for wood framing systems and analyze and design wood beams, columns, beam-columns, typical wood diaphragms and shear walls, simple wood structural systems, and a range of wood structural connections. The course builds on engineering students' prior knowledge from strength of materials and elementary structural analysis. Students may be evaluated based on homework assignments, exams and a semester project.