Online eCourses
These courses are free to explore and learn. Many courses do, however, require a basic understanding of engineering principles that can be found in textbooks in many public libraries. To start an available course, click on a highlighted course number (the course numbering does not imply prerequisites). New eCourses are added, and existing eCourse content updated on an ongoing basis.
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Limited License: Permission is granted to download and print one copy each of the eCourse PDF files available on this website. However, you may not otherwise reproduce, resell, or reconvey, nor grant others permission to download or reproduce these files. All eCourse documents are owned by the American Forest & Paper Association, Inc., and all rights are retained.
To assess your learning experience, try the eQuiz for the course you've just completed by clicking on the eQuiz icon under the course number. eQuizzes are fun, free to take, and you can repeat them as often as you like. Quiz lengths vary with the course studied. First, you must register with the eQuiz system by clicking on the icon. If you cannot finish a quiz in one sitting, logout and come back later. You can resume where you left off.
Design Standards for Wood Structures
STD 102 - Designing with the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction (NDS 1997)
eQuiz certificate: 2.0 CEH, 2.00 LU $20.00 (non-member) $10.00 (member)
The NDS for Wood Construction is the nationally recognized standard of practice for structural lumber, structural glued-laminated timber, timber piles, and structural connections. This standard is accepted in all building codes throughout the United States. Some of the topics covered in this course are: lumber design values including in-grade testing, finger-jointed lumber, beam and column design, connection design, and a discussion on new provisions found in the 1997 edition of the NDS. Specific applications include adjustment factors, column, beam, and beam-column design provisions. Seminar participants will also apply provisions in the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) Manual for Engineered Wood Construction.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
1. Familiar with what the NDS is, including:
- lumber design values and in-grade testing
- finger-jointed lumber
- beam and column design provision
- connection design provisions
- new provisions for the 1997 edition of the NDS
2. Knowledgeable in the use of:
- adjustment factors
- column, beam, and beam-column design provisions
3. Familiar with the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) Manual.
STD 103 - Designing with the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction (NDS 2001)
eQuiz certificate: 2.3 CEH, 2.25 LU $23.00 (non-member) $11.50 (member)
The NDS for Wood Construction 2001 contains many changes from the 1997 edition which are summarized in this eCourse. Significant changes include new product chapters on prefabricated wood I-joists, structural composite lumber, wood structural panels, poles, shear walls and diaphragms, fire design, and a new appendix for local stresses in members at connections. The course also covers revised provisions for: shear design (coinciding with increased shear design values) and notching, end grain bearing, volume factors, connections, and connection tables.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
1. Familiar with the many changes between the 2001 and 1997 NDS, including:
- new product chapters on I-joists, structural composite lumber, wood structural panels, poles, shear walls and diaphragms, fire design
- new Appendix for local stresses at connections
2. Knowledgeable about revised provisions for shear design with increased shear design values, notching, end grain bearing, volume factors, connections, and connection tables.
STD 104 - ASD and LRFD with the 2005 National Design Specification for Wood Construction
The 2005 NDS® for Wood Constructionis a dual format ASD and LRFD document with some enhancements from the 2001 version. In this eCourse, learn about the format of the new document and how to apply its ASD and LRFD design provisions to wood construction through worked examples and much more.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable of:
- Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and how it applies to wood structure design.
- Similarities and differences with respect to ASD, design values, and behavorial equations.
- How to design in ASD and LRFD for wood using worked examples.
- Format and content within the 2005 NDS.
- Changes in the 2005 NDS and Supplement relative to previous editions.
- Detailed ASD and LRFD design for timber rivet connections.
- Documents comprising the 2005 Wood Design Package and how they’re used.
STD 201 - LRFD Manual for Engineered Wood Construction
eQuiz certificate: 2.5 CEH, 2.50 LU $25.00 (non-member) $12.50 (member)
The Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Manual for Engineered Wood Construction contains the nationally recognized alternate design procedure to allowable stress design (ASD) as incorporated in the NDS. Topics covered in this course include: similarities and differences with respect to ASD, design values, behavioral equations, example problems, and case studies.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be familiar with:
- An overview of LRFD - What stays the same as ASD? What changes from ASD?
- The ASCE 16-95 Standard and ASTM D5457-93 basis for design values.
- The AF&PA LRFD Manual Package.
- Case Studies: ASD vs. LRFD.
STD 301 - Wood Frame Construction Manual 1995 SBC High Wind Edition
eQuiz certificate: 1.5 CEH, 1.50 LU $15.00 (non-member) $7.50 (member)
Apply provisions for designing wood frame structures for high wind loads based on the Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 1995 SBC High Wind Edition.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable about:
- The purpose of the WFCM and its background.
- Code acceptance & references.
- Design methodologies used.
- Manual overview/contents.
STD 302 - Wood Frame Construction Manual 2001 Edition
eQuiz certificate: 3.0 CEH, 3.00 LU $30.00 (non-member) $15.00 (member)
Apply provisions for designing wood frame structures for wind, snow, and seismic loads based on the Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2001 Edition. This edition is a dramatic enhancement of the 1995 WFCM that is applicable nation-wide.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable about:
- The purpose of the 2001 WFCM and its development process.
- Code acceptance and references.
- 2001 WFCM document layout.
- Design provisions including:
- shear walls and the “Standard” Shear Wall concept
- wind load resistance and behavior
- snow load resistance
- seismic load resistance and behavior.
5. Design Examples for each load type.
STD 303 - Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loadings(WFCM Workbook)
This learn-by-example workbook-course provides a design example, typical checklist, and background information related to design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with AF&PA's Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two- Family Dwellings, 2001 Edition. The design example uses plans from a 2-story residence as the basis for a structural design to resist wind, seismic, and snow loads. The workbook is heavily referenced to the 2001 WFCM to aid in understanding how to use the time-saving tools and tables offered by the 2001 WFCM. Download the PDF workbook and work through it from the beginning.
Topics on Wood Design and Detailing
DES 110 - Connection Design
eQuiz certificate: 3.3 CEH, 3.25 LU $33.00 (non-member) $16.50 (member)
This seminar presents current wood connection design philosophy, behavior, serviceability issues, and connection design techniques for small and large wood members, panel products, and wood assemblies, using dowel-type and specialized components. Glued connections will also be discussed along with a brief introduction to connection design software.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you be:
- Familiar with current wood connection design philosophy, behavior, and serviceability issues.
- Familiar with design techniques for small and large wood members, panel products, and wood assemblies.
- Familiar with dowel-type and specialized components and adhesives.
- Briefly introduced to connection design software solutions.
MAT 120 - Designing for Permanence
eQuiz certificate: 1.3 CEH, 1.25 LU $13.00 (non-member) $6.50 (member)
Construction techniques that prevent moisture from entering a wood-framed structure including: a discussion of code-required clearances, site drainage, correct placement of moisture barriers, remedies for improper design, preservatively treated wood, grading issues, and tips on preventing moisture-related insect and fungal attack.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Functional with construction techniques that prevent moisture from entering a wood-framed structure, including:
- code-required clearances
- site drainage
- correct placement of moisture barriers
2. Functional with remedies for improper design.
3. Knowledgeable about:
- pressure treated wood
- grading issues
- tips on preventing moisture-related insect and fungal attack
DES 130 - Lateral Load Resisting Systems for Wood Structures
eQuiz certificate: 2.8 CEH, 2.75 LU $28.00 (non-member) $14.00 (member)
This eCourse explains different construction types and the behavior of small structures and structural elements under gravity, seismic, and wind forces. Principles and typology of lateral load resistance systems are discussed including prescriptive braced wall lines as addressed by theIBC/IRC. An introduction to engineered shear wall design, location, and inspection points is offered. Throughout, this eCourse demonstrates how AF&PA’s Wood Frame Construction Manual addresses these topics for one- and two-family dwellings.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you be:
- Able to differentiate construction types and understand the behavior of small structures and structural elements under gravity, seismic, and wind forces.
- Knowledgeable about the principles and typology of lateral load resistance systems, including braced wall lines as addressed by theIBC/IRC.
- Familiar with engineered shear wall design, components, location, and inspection points.
- Familiar with how AF&PA’s Wood Frame Construction Manualaddresses these topics for one- and two-family dwellings.
DES 140 - Designing for Torsional Stability in Wood Members
eQuiz certificate: 2.8 CEH, 2.75 LU $28.00 (non-member) $14.00 (member)
Lateral-torsional buckling is a limit state where beam deformation includes in-plane deformation, out-of-plane deformation, and twisting. This eCourse explores AWC's Technical Report No. 14 which describes the basis of the current effective length approach used in NDS and summarizes the equivalent uniform movement factor approach; provides a comparison between the two approaches; and proposes modification to NDS design provisions.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable of:
- The concept of lateral torsional buckling behavior for beams.
- How to design for it.
- The design process with a few illustrative examples.
DES 150 - Green Building - Designing with Wood
In this eCourse, the definitions of green building and their relationship to sustainable building materials are reviewed. Various green building rating systems are examined and their respective treatments of wood as a building material are discussed. The differences in those treatments will be reviewed and their ramifications will be further explored. Internet sources for information on the subject of sustainable buildings are examined. Finally, the qualities which make wood a sustainable construction material are reviewed, the characteristics which make wood a green building material are discussed, and how various rating schemes treat each of wood's characteristics are reviewed.
You can also earn valuable Continuing Education Unit (CEU), Learning Unit (LU), or Professional Development Hour (PDH) course credit on successful completion of an eQuiz and payment of the indicated administrative fee. At the successful end of an eQuiz, you will be offered the option to pay for and receive a printed eQuiz completion certificate for CEU/LU/PDH validation. Have your credit/debit card ready as credit/debit cards are the only acceptable form of payment at this time. Accepted cards are: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
eQuiz pass performance level is 80%. AIA LU's are HSW and are valued to the nearest quarter contact hour (1 contact hour = 1 CEH = 1 PDH = 1 LU = 0.1 CEU).
AWC is an AIBD, and IACET -accredited education provider, and is also registered with AIA-CES.
All course materials and quizzes are copyright © 2001 - 2009 American Forest & Paper Association, Inc. All rights reserved.
Building Codes and Wood Design
BCD 101 - Building Codes & Wood Design
eQuiz certificate: 1.5 CEH, 1.50 LU $15.00 (non-member) $7.50 (member)
Discussion of building code requirements for wood-frame buildings with an emphasis on the International Building Code's allowable heights and areas. Also discusses fire resistance issues like flame spread performance, component additive method to determine fire resistance, one-hour rated fire walls, and heavy timber fire resistance calculations.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Familiar with building code requirements for wood frame buildings.
- Familiar with International Building Code’s allowable heights and areas.
- Functional with fire resistance issues such as:
- flame spread
- component Additive Method to determine fire resistance
- one-hour fire wall designs
- heavy timber fire resistance calculations.
BCD 102 - Building Code Update
eQuiz certificate: 1.3 CEH, 1.25 LU $13.00 (non-member) $6.50 (member)
Recognize the latest changes impacting wood design and construction in major model building codes including: BOCA’s National Building Code, SBCCI’s Standard Building Code, ICBO’s Uniform Building Code, ICC’sInternational Building Code, ICC’s International Residential Code, and NFPA's NFPA 5000 Building Code.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Recognize the latest changes impacting wood design and construction in major model building codes including:
- BOCA’s National Building Code
- SBCCI’s Standard Building Code
- ICBO’s Uniform Building Code
- ICC’s International Building Code
- ICC’s International Residential Code, and
- NFPA’s NFPA 5000 Building Code
BCD 103 - The International Residential Code (IRC) and Wood Construction
eQuiz certificate: 2.0 CEH, 2.00 LU $20.00 (non-member) $10.00 (member)
This eCourse discusses the development of the International codes with an emphasis on the relationship between the IRC and the CABO One- & Two-Family Dwelling Code. Also provides a summary of how the IRC addresses the use of wood in dwellings within the scope of the IRC.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Familiar with the development of the International Codes, specifically, the relationship between the IRC and the CABO One- & Two-Family Dwelling Code
- Familiar with how the IRC addresses the use of wood in dwellings within the scope of the IRC.
BCD 104 - Wood Structural Design in the 2000 International Building Code
eQuiz certificate: 1.5 CEH, 1.50 LU $15.00 (non-member) $7.50 (member)
A layout of how structural wood provisions are presented in the IBC 2000; Chapter 23 in particular. This is a first stop for those new to the IBC 2000. Course also covers how AF&PA documents are referenced.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Familiar with how structural provisions are presented in the IBC 2000.
- Familiar with the layout and content of Chapter 23.
- Familiar with how AF&PA documents are referenced.
BCD 201 - Fire Design for Code Acceptance
eQuiz certificate: 2.0 CEH, 2.00 LU $20.00 (non-member) $10.00 (member)
Apply provisions for designing wood members for fire safety including component additive method, designing heavy timber for fire resistance, flame spread ratings, and fire-rated assemblies.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Able to apply provisions for designing wood members for fire safety including the Component Additive Method.
- Able to design heavy timber for fire resistance.
- Able to determine flame spread ratings.
- Familiar with fire-rated assemblies.
Wood as a Building Material
MAT 100 - The Basics of Wood Frame Construction
eQuiz certificate: 4.0 CEH, 4.00 LU $40.00 (non-member) $20.00 (member)
MAT100 is a complete eCourse composed of MAT 101 through MAT 110 (below) in one comprehensive program for building officials on wood frame construction basics.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable about:
- IBC Chapter 23 format; What is conventional construction?
- Growth characteristics of wood, grade marks, and protection against termites and decay.
- Floor, roof/ceiling, and wall framing.
- Wall bracing andintroduction to Wood Frame Construction Manual.
- Fireblocking & draftstopping.
MAT 101 - What Is Conventional Construction?
Learn about the term "conventional construction" as used in the International codes. This course discusses the origination of conventional construction, it's limits, and points out that many elements seen in buildings that may be assumed to be conventional construction aren't.
MAT 102 - Characteristics of Wood
Learn about natural characteristics of wood and the impact of those characteristics on the serviceability of lumber.
MAT 103 - Grade Marks
Learn about and apply code requirements for grade marking of lumber. This eCourse explains what information grade marks should contain, how grading is done, variations in grade marks such as are found on finger-jointed lumber, and a code-accepted alternative to a grade mark.
MAT 104 - Protection Against Termites and Decay
Learn about naturally durable and preservatively treated wood, about code requirements for those materials, and see examples of those requirements.
MAT 105 - Conventional Floor Framing
Begin to learn the code requirements for framing of structures under conventional construction provisions. This course talks in some depth about the use of I-joists as floor framing products.
MAT 106 - Conventional Wall Framing
Like the section on floors, this eCourse addresses code requirements for general wall framing. Bracing requirements are dicussed under Lateral Load Bracing.
MAT 107 - Lateral Load Bracing
Learn in depth about the general concept of bracing wood structures and in detail about the IRC requirements for wall bracing.
MAT 108 - Roof / Ceiling Framing
Learn in detail about the code requirements for roof framing, and about the use of engineered wood products such as I-joists and trusses as alternates to conventional solid-sawn lumber.
MAT 109 - Introduction to the Wood Frame Construction Manual
Learn and apply code requirements for controlling the spread of fire, smoke, and gases. Examples are given.
MAT 110 - Fireblocking and Draftstopping
Begin to learn the scope of the Wood Frame Construction Manual, itsformat, and the concept of perforated shear walls.
MAT 120 - Metric and Wood
Apply provisions developed by the wood industry for use of the metric system as mandated by the federal government for all federal construction projects.
MAT 210 - Engineered Wood Products
eQuiz certificate: 1.5 CEH, 1.50 LU $15.00 (non-member) $7.50 (member)
Introduction to the ever-growing family of engineered wood products (EWP). Products covered are lumber, glued-laminated timber (glulam), structural composite lumber, wood I-joists, plywood, and oriented-strand board. The standards that form the basis for the manufacture and development of design stresses for each product are discussed. Unique characteristics for each product are highlighted and extensive examples of the use of these products in a wide range of building applications are presented.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
- Familiar with the ever-growing family of engineered wood products (EWP’s) and their unique characteristics, including:
- lumber
- glued-laminated timber (glulam)
- structural composite lumber
- wood I-joists
- plywood
- oriented strand board
2. Familiar with the standards that form the basis for the manufacture and development of design stresses for each product.
3. Knowledgeable about the use of these products through examples of a wide range of building applications.