Online eCourses
These courses are free to explore and learn. Many courses do, however, require a basic understanding of engineering principles. To start an available course, click on an icon representing the format you prefer next to the course number (the course numbering does not imply prerequisites).
Click on the Flash symbol under the course number for a free voice-over presentation. Use onscreen controls to pace the course to your liking, view the script, etc.
Click on the webinar symbol under the course number for a free stream of the American Wood Council's Wood Engineering Standards Webinar Series
Click on the PDF symbol under the course number for a free downloadable scripted PDF file with color images for the respective course.
Click on the MP3 symbol under the course number for immediate playback, or RIGHT CLICK on the mp3 then SAVE TARGET AS... to save an audio mp3 file of the eCourse.
Continuing education credits (eQuizzes) are no longer available from the American Wood Council. However, some courses below which are designated as “Recorded Webinars” may have education credits available from the WoodWorks website. Follow the Recorded Webinar links below to learn more.
Design Standards for Wood Structures
STD 103 - Designing with the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction (NDS 2001)
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 Construction is 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.
Recorded Webinars
Part 1: Member Design & Part 2 - Connection Design
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable of:
1. Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and how it applies to wood structure design.
2. Similarities and differences with respect to ASD, design values, and behavioral equations.
3. How to design in ASD and LRFD for wood using worked examples.
4. Format and content within the 2005 NDS.
5. Changes in the 2005 NDS and Supplement relative to previous editions.
6. Detailed ASD and LRFD design for timber rivet connections.
7. Documents comprising the 2005 Wood Design Package and how they’re used.
STD 302 - Wood Frame Construction Manual 2001 Edition
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:
1. The purpose of the 2001 WFCM and its development process.
2. Code acceptance and references.
3. 2001 WFCM document layout.
4. 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.
STD 401 - 2005/2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic ASD/LRFD
Recorded Webinar
The 2005/2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic is a dual format allowable stress design (ASD) and load and resistance factor design (LRFD) document. In this Course, learn about the format of the SDPWS and how to apply its ASD and LRFD design provisions to shear walls and diaphragms. Also learn about changes to the International Building Code for lateral design.
Diaphragm Deflection Calculations
Recorded Webinar
Calculation of wood-frame diaphragm deflection should account for bending and shear deflections, fastener deformation, chord splice slip, and other contributing sources of deflections. The 2008 SDPWS incorporates both a 3-term and 4-term deflection equation that accounts for these variables. This webinar will provide an overview and comparison of the 3-term and 4-term deflection equations. Additionally, an example showing calculation of mid-span deflection of a blocked wood structural panel diaphragm will be presented.
Topics on Wood Design and Detailing
DES 110 - Connection Design
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:
1. Familiar with current wood connection design philosophy, behavior, and serviceability issues.
2. Familiar with design techniques for small and large wood members, panel products, and wood assemblies.
3. Familiar with dowel-type and specialized components and adhesives.
4. Briefly introduced to connection design software solutions.
DES 120 - Designing for Permanence
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, preservative treated wood, grading issues, and tips on preventing moisture-related insect and fungal attack.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this eCourse, you will be:
1. 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
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 the IBC/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:
1. Able to differentiate construction types and understand the behavior of small structures and structural elements under gravity, seismic, and wind forces.
2. Knowledgeable about the principles and typology of lateral load resistance systems, including braced wall lines as addressed by the IBC and IRC.
3. Familiar with engineered shear wall design, components, location, and inspection points.
4. Familiar with how AF&PA’s Wood Frame Construction Manual addresses these topics for one- and two-family dwellings.
DES 140 - Designing for Torsional Stability in Wood Members
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:
1. The concept of lateral torsional buckling behavior for beams.
2. How to design for it.
3. 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.
Copyright and Limited License
All course materials are Copyright © 2001 - 2011 American Wood Council. All rights reserved.
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 Wood Council, and all rights are retained.
Building Codes and Wood Design
BCD 101 - Building Codes & Wood Design
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:
1. Familiar with building code requirements for wood frame buildings.
2. Familiar with International Building Code’s allowable heights and areas.
3. 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 103 - The International Residential Code (IRC) and Wood Construction
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:
1. Familiar with the development of the International Codes, specifically, the relationship between the IRC and the CABO One- & Two-Family Dwelling Code
2. 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
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:
1. Familiar with how structural provisions are presented in the IBC 2000.
2. Familiar with the layout and content of Chapter 23.
3. Familiar with how AF&PA documents are referenced.
BCD 201 - Fire Design for Code Acceptance
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:
1. Able to apply provisions for designing wood members for fire safety including the Component Additive Method.
2. Able to design heavy timber for fire resistance.
3. Able to determine flame spread ratings.
4. Familiar with fire-rated assemblies.
Wood as a Building Material
MAT 100 - The Basics of Wood Frame Construction
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:
1. IBC Chapter 23 format; what is conventional construction?
2. Growth characteristics of wood, grade marks, and protection against termites and decay.
3. Floor, roof/ceiling, and wall framing.
4. Wall bracing and introduction to Wood Frame Construction Manual.
5. 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 preservative 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 discussed 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
Begin to learn the scope of the Wood Frame Construction Manual, its format, and the concept of perforated shear walls.
MAT 110 - Fireblocking and Draftstopping
Learn and apply code requirements for controlling the spread of fire, smoke, and gases. Examples are given.
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
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:
1. 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.