This course will provide a brief overview of code and standards development to give context to current building code allowances and design procedures as well as future code pursuits. Topics will include recent International Code Council (ICC) and American Wood Council efforts related to code advancement, and the latest changes to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC), 2012 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction and 2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS).

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify building code issues which are leading to code changes.
2. Identify recent changes to wood design standards that affect the design of wood structures.
3. Identify recent changes to the building code.
4. Understand reasons for the changes to the IBC and the wood design standards.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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What are the latest trends in the world of code development related to wood? How are wood design standards keeping up with technology? This presentation will provide an overview of some of the significant code changes for wood construction per the International Code Council's 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and American Wood Council's 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS).

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Significant changes between the 2012 and 2015 IBC.
2. Significant changes between the 2012 and 2015 NDS.
3. Significant changes between the 2008 and 2015 SDPWS.
4. The overall format and content within the 2015 NDS and 2015 SDPWS.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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The 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) published by the International Code Council are now available. This presentation will provide an overview of the significant changes to wood design and construction provisions relative to previous editions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Familiar with the significant changes between the 2015 and 2018 IBC wood provisions.
2. Able to locate and analyze content within the 2018 IBC wood provisions.
3. Familiar with new 2018 IRC requirements regarding wood use.
4. Able to explain and use fire protection requirements for wood within the IBC and IRC.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 2 Learning Units (LU)

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Building fire safety incorporates a combination of passive and active features. A passive fire safety feature may limit the height and area of the building, prescribe the use of fire-rated building elements or provide for adequate means of egress. Active fire safety features are those such as automatic fire detection or suppression systems that provide occupant notification, alarm transmittance and the ability to suppress fire growth until the fire service arrives. Codes are relying increasingly on active systems, since, with proper maintenance and alarm supervision, they have a high degree of reliability. This CEU covers the fundamentals of passive and active fire protection. It includes a summary of allowable wood use in buildings in accordance with the 2015 IBC, emphasizing the design flexibilities permitted for wood in nonresidential and multifamily construction.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Analyze fire protection in wood buildings in terms of compliance with the 2009 International Building Code (IBC).
2. Discuss the fundamentals of passive and active fire protection.
3. Determine allowable wood use in buildings in accordance with the 2009 IBC.
4. Describe provisions in the IBC for increasing the height and area of wood buildings beyond the base tabular amounts.
5. Identify and select tested fire-rated wood-frame assemblies or, to use non-listed assemblies, calculate the fire endurance of load bearing and non-load bearing wood assemblies using the Component Additive Method (CAM).

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This webinar is for building officials, fire marshals, inspectors, plan checkers, architects or builders who would like to learn how various common exterior wood products comply with Chapter 7A Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) provisions of the California Building Code (CBC). Chapter 7A of the CBC applies to new residential and non-residential construction. It was implemented in two phases, beginning in December, 2005. It is applicable in all fire hazard severity zones (FHSZ) in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas. Chapter 7A also references California State Fire Marshal (SFM) standard test methods that provide options for materials and assemblies to comply with the code. Materials and assemblies that can be evaluated using these SFM standards include exterior siding, windows, eaves and other horizontal projections and decking. With the possible exception of the “Windows” test method, the SFM standards provide a way for combustible materials to comply with the provisions of the code.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be better able to:

1. Understand the CBC Chapter 7A WUI provisions as they relate to wood construction.
2. Understand which exterior wood products meet the CBC Chapter 7A WUI provisions.
3. Understand the SFM standard test methods for materials and assemblies to comply with the WUI code.
4. Understand how the SFM standard provides a way for combustible materials to comply with the provisions of the WUI code.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Determining proper code applications for designing for fire-resistance in wood-frame construction can be challenging. This presentation will include code requirements, compliance options, and nuances related to fire-resistance rated assemblies, fire design of exposed wood members, and flame-spread performance of wood products. Included will be design examples for calculating fire-resistance for exposed wood members and the component additive method for assemblies.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be better able to:

1. Apply approved methods and alternatives for establishing the fire-resistance of wood building elements.
2. Identify some distinguishing characteristics of fire-resistance rated exterior walls, fire walls, fire barriers, and fire partitions.
3. Understand the basic fire-resistance design procedures for wood frame assemblies and certain exposed wood members.
4. Understand code requirements for flame spread performance of wood products.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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The purpose of this presentation is to provide background information to designers and code officials regarding how to reduce the frequency and severity of fires during construction. This presentation identifies many best management practices and places emphasis on personal accountability of all stakeholders in the process. The intent of this presentation is to provide generic guidelines as to how to use model codes and standards to reduce fire loss. It is recognized that there are significant differences in the roles of various organizations in preventing fire. This presentation will not address the use of model codes and standards once a building has received a certificate of occupancy.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Identify codes and standards that regulate fire safety during construction
2. Identify common causes of construction fires
3. Define the role of various parties in reducing the risk of construction fires
4. List steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of construction fires

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This 90-minute webinar will introduce attendees to several of the recent major fires and their causes, the many fire-related hazards that exist on a construction site, the International Building and Fire Code and NFPA requirements for fire protection safeguards during construction and solutions for developing simple fire safety strategies. There also will be information on building materials and construction industry efforts to reduce fire losses.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Identify recent major fires and their reported causes
2. Identify the I Code regulations and linkage to NFPA 241 for fire safety during building construction alteration and demolitions
3. Develop a model fire plan for buildings under construction, alteration or demolition
4. Identify existing building materials and construction industry resources for training, education and mitigation

Equivalencies: 1.5 Hours of Instruction = 0.15 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1.5 Learning Units (LU)

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DCA 6 includes guidance on provisions of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) pertaining to single level residential wood deck construction. Provisions contained in this document that are not included in the IRC are considered good practice recommendations. Based on the limited number of changes to deck provisions in the 2012 IRC, the DCA 6 2009 IRC version can be used in jurisdictions enforcing the 2012 IRC. This webinar will provide an overview of DCA 6 along with its Commentary and include several examples showing application of the deck guide.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course, you will be knowledgeable about:

1. Become familiar with the Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (DCA6).
2. Identify minimum material requirements for deck construction including wood members and fasteners.
3. Identify minimum construction detailing requirements.
4. Understand design requirements and available resources for both prescriptive and engineered deck designs.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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DCA 6 has been recently updated to include guidance on provisions in the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) pertaining to single level residential wood deck construction. Provisions contained in this document that are not included in the IRC are considered good practice recommendations. The presentation will provide an overview of the significant changes to the DCA 6 and include several examples showing application of the guide.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Become familiar with the Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (DCA6) and the significant changes that have been made.
2. Identify minimum material requirements for deck construction including wood members and fasteners.
3. Identify minimum construction detailing requirements.
4. Understand design requirements and available resources for both prescriptive and engineered deck designs.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

DCA6 has been updated to include guidance on provisions for the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) pertaining to single level residential wood deck construction. Provisions contained in this document that are not included in the IRC are considered good practice recommendations. This webinar will provide an overview of DCA 6 along with its Commentary and Appendices and include several examples showing application of the deck guide.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify changes to DCA6-2012.
2. Identify minimum prescriptive wood deck requirements.
3. Describe deck construction including wood members and fasteners.
4. Discuss provisions in DCA6 commentary and provide other resources.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Deck and balcony collapses injure occupants every year. It is estimated that over 40 million decks in the US are more than 20 years old, meaning they were constructed before today’s building codes and established best practices. To encourage compliant deck design and construction, American Wood Council (AWC) has published Design for Code Acceptance No. 6 – Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (DCA 6) which may be downloaded from the AWC website here http://awc.org/codes-standards/publications/dca6 Requirements of the 2012 International Residential Code and other provisions are reflected in this document. This article highlights certain engineering topics related to DCA 6 and provides some background for those issues.

Learning Objectives:

After reading this article, you will:

1. Understand the scope and limitations of DCA 6
2. Become familiar with the types of decks covered by DCA 6 and their differences
3. Become familiar with minimum sizing requirements for various deck structural elements
4. Understand the types of loads residential decks are designed to resist

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=1 Learning Units (LU)

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Hundreds of wood decks get built every year and some without the proper guidance for designing or constructing a safe deck. However, AWC DCA 6, which has been recently updated, includes guidance on provisions for the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) pertaining to single level residential wood deck construction. Provisions contained in this document that are not included in the IRC are considered good practice recommendations. This webinar will provide an overview of DCA 6 along with its Commentary and Appendices and include several examples showing application of the deck guide.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify deck provision changes from the 2015 IRC and the corresponding DCA 6 along with a refresher on 2012 IRC provisions
2. Identify minimum prescriptive wood deck requirements
3. Describe deck construction including wood members and fasteners
4. Discuss provisions in DCA6 Commentary and provide other resources

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This presentation takes the mystery out of the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) parameters for wood in commercial non-residential and multi-family residential construction. Topics will include: maximum building sizes through the use of pre-calculated tables for eight multi-story occupancies, with and without frontage and sprinkler increases; establishing required fire resistance; special provisions for pedestal buildings; precautions required for buildings under construction; criteria for finishes, appendages, and other wood features; and the scoping of referenced wood design standards and Chapter 23 provisions. Participants may download a complimentary copy of 2012 Code Conforming Wood Design (CCWD) a new publication of AWC and the International Code Council which will be referenced during the webinar here.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be better able to:

1. Identify building size and use parameters for wood as the primary structural elements.
2. Identify methods specified by the code for establishing fire resistance of wood assemblies and elements, and fire precautions during construction.
3. Apply special provisions for design of wood structures that involve compartmentalization and sprinkler systems.
4. Apply code provisions for the non-structural use of wood in buildings, such as for finishes, appendages, siding, and trim.
5. Identify the reference standards for the use of wood in a structural application.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Based on the popular Code Conforming Wood Design (CCWD), a joint publication of the American Wood Council (AWC) and the International Code Council (ICC), this presentation concisely summarizes the 2015 IBC for commercial and multi-family residential construction. It will explain the determination of maximum building size for eight common use groups using the new height and area tables of the 2015 IBC and pre-calculated tables provided in the CCWD. It will also address establishing fire resistance for wood assemblies and heavy timber; special provisions for pedestal buildings; criteria for finishes, appendages, and other wood features; the scoping of referenced wood design standards; an overview of structural provisions in Chapter 23; and requirements for precautions during construction.

Upon completion, participants will be better able to:

1. Apply 2015 IBC provisions for building size limits when wood is used as the primary structural element for buildings within its scope.
2. Identify IBC methods for establishing fire resistance of wood assemblies and elements.
3. Identify IBC requirements for fire precautions during construction.
4. Apply IBC provisions for the use of wood in finishes and trim; in building appendages such as balconies; in noncombustible construction types; and in other building features.
5. Locate the fundamental IBC structural provisions for wood design and identify the IBC-referenced wood design standards.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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This article provides and overview of the 2015 Code Conforming Wood Design (CCWD) document, which summarizes the most common requirements for wood construction for buildings, according to the 2015 International Building Code (IBC). CCWD was produced in partnership with the International Code Council (ICC). The purpose of this article is to explore code provisions for larger wood buildings allowed under the 2015 IBC.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the Types of Construction in the IBC which allow wood construction
2. Determine how to calculate maximum building height and area
3. Describe the methods of establishing fire resistance
4. Understand the safety precautions needed during construction

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Determining the allowable building code construction type based on for a building’s occupancy and size is fundamental to proper design. It also can be one of the most daunting code analysis steps—but it doesn’t have to be! Through a combination of building code highlights, design examples, and resources, this presentation will focus on practical approaches that make determining construction type and associated allowable heights and areas, considerably easier. Topics will include building size and height alternatives in from the 2015 International Building Code and an introduction to free calculators and other resources that speed and simplify the process. Code requirements for fire safety during construction will also be reviewed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize construction types, occupancies, and determine building heights and areas for wood-frame low- and mid-rise construction per the 2015 International Building Code.
2. Describe Code Conforming Wood Design, and highlight its use as a resource for designers when analyzing single-occupancy structures.
3. Discuss allowable building size calculators and review their capabilities in analyzing single- and multi-occupancy buildings.
4. Discuss the special provisions of International Building Code Section 510 and give examples of their applications in common building configurations.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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When the International Building Code (IBC) was introduced in 2000, it consolidated three regional model building codes into one uniform code that has since been adopted by most jurisdictions. It increased the possibilities for wood construction by (among other things) recognizing additional fire protection techniques, consolidating the maximum allowable areas and heights from the three legacy codes into one (thus increasing what’s allowable in some jurisdictions), and allowing the use of wood in a wider range of building types. In subsequent versions of the IBC, even more opportunities have been created where additional fire protection features are used. This course serves to familiarize readers with provisions of the 2012 IBC relevant to wood construction.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Discuss provisions in the International Building Code (IBC) intended to ensure that wood buildings provide the same level of fire performance as other building types.
2. Evaluate techniques that allow designers to safely increase the allowable heights and areas of building projects beyond the base limits stated in the IBC.
3. Identify the advantages of wood-frame structures in seismic and high-wind events.
4. Explain how advances in wood products and building systems are influencing the evolution of building codes.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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As compliance with new energy codes becomes more challenging, designers, builders and code officials are looking to understand the new requirements and for flexibility in design. This presentation will focus on how to meet the energy requirements of the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) and prescriptive options of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Included will be a discussion on the flexibility offered in the codes and what design aids are available to make compliance easier, including DCA 7 – Meeting Residential Energy Requirements with Wood-Frame Construction – 2012 IECC Version and a related Energy UA calculator.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this presentation, participants will:

1. Understand the three prescriptive energy paths in the IRC and IECC.
2. Be familiar with R-values and U-factors for assemblies and how to calculate them.
3. Be familiar with the allowable trade-offs in the IRC and IECC.
4. Be familiar with available design aids offered by AWC.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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The International Code Council’s (ICC) International Building Code (IBC) Chapter 17 is titled Structural Tests and Special Inspections. This presentation provides background on special inspections for wood construction in addition to discussion on related topics such as prefabricated wood components, special inspections for lateral resistance, and structural observation as it pertains to the 2012 and 2015 IBC.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn when a special inspection may be required on a structure.
2. Become familiar with IBC provisions referencing different types of special inspections.
3. Become familiar with specific items examined during a special inspection.
4. Be aware of professional qualifications required to conduct code compliant special inspections.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Special inspection is not a new term to the building code and is included in the 2012 and 2015 versions of International Code Council's (ICC) International Building Code (IBC), Chapter 17 which is titled Structural Tests and Special Inspections. Special inspection provides a quality control measure intended to ensure that certain critical features are incorporated into a structure and are constructed properly. This article provides background on special inspections for wood construction in addition to discussion on related topics such as prefabricated wood components, special inspections for lateral resistance, and structural observation as it pertains to the 2012 and 2015 IBC.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Learn when a special inspection may be required on a structure.
2. Become familiar with IBC provisions referencing different types of special inspections.
3. Become familiar with specific items examined during a special inspection.
4. Be aware of professional qualifications required to conduct code compliant special inspections.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=1 Learning Units (LU)

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Wood’s strength and durability, fire resistance, low-maintenance and energy-absorbing properties make it ideal for bridge applications and infrastructure projects – particularly for pedestrian and light traffic, but also for more impressive structures with heavier loading and longer spans. Increasingly, new landmark projects and research are proving timber bridges are a viable alternative to bridges made of other materials. Modern timber bridges combine the use of solid wood, plywood, laminated timbers like glued-laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), parallel strand lumber (PSL) and cross-laminated timber (CLT). The course will explore designs that have evolved from historical approaches and developed as a result of modern technological advances in timber fabrication.

Learning Objectives:

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. List some of the challenges and possible resolutions to building bridges and boardwalks with wood.
2. Discuss how a wood bridge can be installed while addressing environmental concerns.
3. Identify and describe the 2 examples of bridges using wood.
4. Recall some of the components of wood bridges and boardwalks.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This course is intended for building designers and code officials who want to learn more about the use of wood framing systems in low-rise commercial projects. Cost, versatility, ease of use, and adaptability, renewability, and sustainability are some of the reasons wood is used. Depending on the application, aesthetics and the growing body of research supporting wood’s biophilic qualities—i.e., the positive impact that exposed wood can have on a building’s occupants—may be the biggest driver for its use. Intended to provide practical information that can be applied to projects, the course begins with code-related topics, including cost implications of construction type, opportunities for achieving unlimited area, and implications of multi-tenant occupancies. It provides an overview of wood wall and roof systems commonly used in commercial buildings, and highlights key design considerations.

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Explain how wood-frame systems can be used to achieve design objectives commonly associated with commercial structures, such as tall walls, flat roofs, parapets, and open-front floor plans.
2. Identify cost savings associated with Construction Types III and V compared to Types I and II, per the International Code Council’s Building Valuation Data.
3. Discuss opportunities for achieving unlimited area for wood-frame commercial buildings under the International Building Code and implications of multi-tenant occupancies.
4. Review applications of wood-frame construction in low-rise commercial buildings, with an emphasis on restaurant, retail, and office occupancies.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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There is a strong case to be made for using wood in school construction, both to accommodate a growing number of students with structures that are cost effective, and to do so while creating high-performance buildings that are safe, resilient, and appealing. This may also be the reason we see more wood schools over the next decade, as U.S. designers seek to satisfy the needs of a growing student population. Not only can wood be used to provide a code compliant building and meet the requirements of fire resistance and building size, but it also has acoustic, durability, structural, and environmental attributes, all of which are covered in this article and explain why wood products are being used for schools.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Review provisions of the International Building Code specific to school buildings and discuss opportunities to achieve cost savings through the use of wood.
2. Explore design and detailing best practices used to achieve performance objectives in school assembly design.
3. Discuss structural design considerations unique to school buildings, as well as framing options for floors, walls, and roofs.
4. Consider how wood has been used in modern wood-frame and mass timber schools across the United States.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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When properly designed, wood frame structures will resist damage by moisture and living organisms. Recommendations for control of moisture and protection against decay and insect infestations are contained in AWC's Design of Wood Frame Structures for Permanence, WCD No. 6. Protection of wood frame structures to provide maximum service-life involves four methods of control, which can be handled by proper design and construction: (1) control moisture content of wood, (2) provide effective termite controls, (3) use of durable materials such as naturally durable or preservative treated wood, and (4) quality assurance.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants will:

1. Understand conditions necessary for wood-destroying organisms to thrive.
2. Understand construction techniques that prevent moisture intrusion into wood-framed structure including code-required clearances, site drainage, and correct placement of moisture barriers.
3. Understand remedies for improper design and construction.
4. Be knowledgeable about preservative treated wood and naturally durable species, grading issues, and tips on preventing moisture-related insect and fungal attack.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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As with any structural material, perhaps the most important single factor to a long and useful service life is effective design. Extensive research and documented experience have led to a number of proven strategies for ensuring that wood material reaches its full potential for longevity. This course outlines the informed design, specification, detailing, and quality control during construction, installation, and maintenance that are collectively key to achieving maximum durability in today’s wood construction.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Analyze factors contributing to the long term durability of wood buildings.
2. Implement effective design strategies for controlling moisture in wood buildings.
3. Discuss comprehensive approaches for protecting wood buildings from insect damage.
4. Determine effective quality control measures that will have significant positive long-term impact on building durability.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Determining the best option for a durable wood product can be confusing due to the wide array of options available. Assessing project needs and selecting the appropriate product can lead to long‐lasting, visually pleasing projects. Maintenance of existing materials is as important as proper material selection. This article discusses options and strategies that designers and specifiers can use to choose the best solutions suited for wood application to provide durability.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you will:

1. Become familiar with the decay and termite hazards included in risk assessment for wood products.
2. Become familiar with options available for protection of wood products.
3. Be aware of maintenance requirements for various wood products.
4. Learn about the impacts on wood properties due to treatment and preservation processes.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This webinar will present state-of-the-art assessment methods for wood and timber structures. Results from several interesting projects will be presented—including those from the inspection of USS Constitution (Old Ironsides).

Learning Objectives:

1. To provide attendees background information on the unique characteristics of wood as a structural material;
2. To provide background information on assessment methods for in-service wood, including state-of-the-art nondestructive evaluation methods and equipment;
3. To present examples of evaluations from a variety of structures;
4. To provide state-of-the-art sources for information on assessment of in-service wood.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Throughout the world there are great examples of historic wood structures that have withstood the test of time and exposure to various climates. One of the challenges that code officials and designers face for modifying existing wood structures is determining what design properties to use. This webinar will address methods used to establish recommended allowable design properties for structural wood members in existing buildings. Examples from several interesting projects will be presented including buildings under renovation and waterfront structures such as piers.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants will:

1. Understand methods used to identify wood species used as structural members in existing buildings.
2. Understand methods used to visually grade structural wood members in existing buildings.
3. Understand methods used to establish allowable design properties for visually graded lumber in existing buildings.
4. Understand methods used for condition assessment of in-service wood including quasi-nondestructive evaluation methods and equipment.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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For those seeking practical application of the provisions of the National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction (ANSI/AWC NDS-2015) which is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code, this presentation provides several design examples including beams, columns, and structural elements under combined bending and axial loading. Design provisions and equations from the 2015 NDS and reference design values from the 2015 NDS Supplement will be used to calculate capacities for these elements under various loading conditions. Each example will include discussion of design value adjustment factors and load combinations.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand application of NDS design provisions for beams, columns, and structural elements under combined bending and axial loading.
2. Be familiar with reference design values from the NDS Supplement.
3. Be familiar with design value adjustment factors from the NDS and NDS Supplement.
4. Be familiar with the impact of combinations of loads of different durations on design of structural wood members.

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Proper design of wood structures to resist high wind loads requires the correct use of wind load provisions and member design properties. A thorough understanding of the interaction between wind loads and material properties is important in the design process. Adjustments from reference wind conditions to extreme-value peak gusts require designers to make similar adjustments to design properties to ensure equivalent and economic designs. Wind load provisions have been developed for design of major structural elements using Main Wind-Force Resisting System (MWFRS) loads and secondary cladding elements using Component & Cladding (C&C) loads. Elements and subassemblies which receive loads both directly and as part of the main wind force resisting system, such as wall studs, must be checked independently for MWFRS loads and C&C loads. A load bearing stud wall design example based on the allowable stress design methods outlined in AWC's 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual along with ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures will demonstrate standard design checks for limit states of strength and deflection.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand how to analyze wall framing as part of the MWFRS per ASCE 7-10
2. Understand why wall framing is analyzed using out of plane C&C wind pressures independent of gravity loads
3. Be familiar with various ASCE 7-10 ASD load combinations used for bearing walls
4. Be knowledgeable of standards including the 2015 NDS, 2015 WFCM, and ASCE 7-10 used for design of tall walls

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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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.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=1 Learning Units (LU)

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In wood buildings, effective connections provide strength, stiffness, stability and ductility. They are critical to building performance—under regular loads, and especially during extreme events such as hurricanes and earthquakes. According to post-disaster surveys, structural failures during these events are often due to faults in connection design or assembly. This continuing education course provides an overview of connection options for modern wood structures, both light wood-frame and heavy timber. It covers mechanical connections—including dowel, shear, and metal connector plates—and joinery connections, as well as proprietary connections that are in many ways supporting the current surge in innovative wood design. Proper selection and installation, and ways to avoid potential problems, are also discussed.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Describe basic categories of mechanical and joinery connections for modern wood structures, and application in both light wood-frame & heavy timber construction.
2. Examine wide range of connection options, from traditional joinery methods to fasteners & connectors to proprietary connection systems that are enabling longer wood spans, higher walls and taller buildings.
3. Apply practical and technical design guidance to ensure effective performance of connections in wood structures.
4. Discuss key considerations for selection and installation of connections, for best performance and to avoid potential problems.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This course will feature techniques for designing connections for wood members utilizing AWC's 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and Technical Report 12 - General Dowel Equations for Calculating Lateral Connection Values (TR12). Topics will include connection design philosophy and behavior, an overview of common fastener types, changes in the 2015 NDS related to cross-laminated timber, and design examples per TR12.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be familiar with current wood member connection solutions and applicable design requirements.
2. Be familiar with Technical Report 12 and provisions for connection design beyond NDS requirements.
3. Be able to recommend fastening guidelines for wood to steel, wood to concrete, and wood to wood connections.
4. Be able to describe effects of moisture on wood member connections and implement proper detailing to mitigate issues that may occur.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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This course will feature a bolt design example utilizing AWC's 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Topics will include connection design philosophy and behavior, an overview of 2015 NDS provisions related to bolt design including Appendix E for local stresses in fastener groups, and a detailed design example.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand application of the six yield limit equations for dowel-type connection design
2. Know when to utilize applicable adjustment factors for common bolted connections
3. Apply spacing, end, and edge distance requirements for wood-to-wood bolted connections
4. Be able to determine local stresses in fastener groups

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This article provides an overview of a bolt design example utilizing AWC's 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Connection design philosophy and behavior, an overview of 2015 NDS provisions related to bolt design including local stresses in fastener groups, and a detailed design example are included.

Learning Outcomes:

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Describe the application of the six yield limit equations for dowel-type connection design
2. Discuss when to utilize applicable adjustment factors for common bolted connections
3. Illustrate the spacing, end, and edge distance requirements for wood-to-wood bolted connections
4. Calculate the local stresses in fastener groups

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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The American Wood Council’s (AWC) National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) are documents referenced in US building codes and used to design wood structures worldwide. Based on numerous help desk questions and feedback from design professionals, AWC has identified some of the most commonly overlooked wood connection engineering requirements from the NDS and SDPWS. These requirements will be discussed as well as resources and examples to meet these requirements. Examples include NDS Appendix E Local Stresses in Fastener Groups, NDS 3.4.3.3 shear design of members at connections, resources for power-driven fasteners such as ISANTA ESR 1539, and detailing requirements for high capacity shear walls and diaphragms.

On completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be able to understand overlooked wood connection engineering issues.
2. Obtain resources for complying with wood connection engineering issues.
3. Identify and design for local stresses in fastener groups.
4. Identify and detail high capacity shear walls and diaphragms.

Equivalencies: 1.5 Hours of Instruction = 0.15 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1.5 Learning Units (LU)

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With the variety of fasteners available for wood construction, this presentation will provide a basic understanding of connections that includes design examples based on the 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Solutions for nailed, screwed, and bolted connections will be presented, along with specific information on calculating shear capacity as well as withdrawal capacity. Multiple approaches to calculating capacity will be discussed, including tabulated references, calculation-based techniques, and computer program solutions (including WoodWorks® Connections software). Material properties for fasteners as well as connected materials including wood-to-wood, wood-to-steel, and wood-to-concrete will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Be familiar with NDS provisions for fastener withdrawal capacity and NDS and TR-12 provisions for fastener shear capacity.
2. Learn various approaches in the NDS for calculating fastener capacity.
3. Understand the 6 lateral design value yield modes and material properties used to calculate capacity.
4. Understand the types of connections WoodWorks® software designs, how to use the software, how to view the design results and the connection drawing output.

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This continuing education course provides an overview of seismic-resistive design issues in wood-frame buildings with a focus on compliance with the 2012 International Building Code(IBC) and American Society of Civil Engineers/Structural Engineering Institute Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10). The information on code-conforming wood design contained in this course is based on the American Wood Council’s (AWC’s) 2012 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction, and 2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). The NDS and SDPWS are adopted by reference in the 2012 IBC.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Discuss seismic-resistive design requirements for wood-frame buildings with a focus on compliance with the 2012 IBC and ASCE 7-10.
2. Explain the analysis procedure commonly used for determining seismic design loads of wood-frame buildings in the U.S.
3. Describe the two most common wood-frame seismic force-resisting systems.
4. Describe the role of structural configuration and redundancy in seismic design.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This presentation highlights 2012 International Building Code (IBC), 2010 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10) and the 2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) requirements applicable to the seismic design of wood structures. Wood-frame shear wall and diaphragm code issues are discussed including deflection equations, detailing requirements, and limitations on the use of wood in seismic design. Changes from previous codes and standards will also be discussed and additional resources will be referenced.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Identify IBC code requirements for seismic design of wood structures.
2. Identify ASCE 7-10 and SDPWS for seismic design of wood structures.
3. Understand the limitations of wood shear walls and diaphragms.
4. Identify special seismic detailing requirements for wood structures.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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There are several design tools and standards to assist engineers, architects, and building officials with the design of shear walls. Prescriptive approaches such as those outlined in AWC's Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings tend to provide conservative results. Engineered approaches such as those outlined in AWC's Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) typically result in more efficient designs. This course will outline several resources available for shear wall design and compare design results.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Identify and understand the basic shear wall system to resist wind and seismic loads.
2. Understand the difference between segmented and perforated shear wall design.
3. Understand hold down design.
4. Be able to identify and analyze shear walls per WFCM and SDPWS and understand the differences between them.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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There are several design tools and standards to assist engineers, architects, and building officials with the design of shear walls. Prescriptive approaches such as those outlined in AWC's 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings and 2015 WFCM High Wind Guides tend to provide conservative results. Engineered approaches such as those outlined in AWC's 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) typically result in more efficient designs. This course will outline several resources available for shear wall design and compare design results.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Identify and understand the basic shear wall system to resist wind and seismic loads.
2. Understand the difference between segmented and perforated shear wall design.
3. Understand hold down design.
4. Be able to identify and analyze shear walls per 2015 WFCM, 2015 WFCM High Wind Guides, and 2015 SDPWS and understand the differences between them.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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AWC's 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) for design of structures using wood shear walls and diaphragms to resist wind and seismic lateral loads. Provisions in the SDPWS contain the equal deflection requirement for distribution of shear to shear walls in a line which can be met either by calculation of shear wall deflections or use of reduced design unit shear strength. This course will discuss the 2015 SDPWS provisions for distributing shear using the deflection calculation approach and effects on calculated design shear capacity of a shear wall line. It will be compared to the adjustment factor approach which permits distribution of shear in proportion to strength where reduced strengths are determined by use of the 2b_s/h factor for wood structural panels. Allowable stress design (ASD) examples, excerpted from the 2015 SDPWS Commentary are included.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be able to understand the 2015 SDPWS provisions for distribution of shear to shear walls in a line
2. Be familiar with the 2015 SDPWS provisions for shear distribution based on either i) deflection calculation, or ii) use of reduced shear strengths in accordance with the 2bs/h factor for wood structural panels
3. Be able to understand how distribution of shear provisions affects design shear capacity of shear walls in a line
4. Be familiar with new strength reductions for shear walls based on shear wall aspect ratio

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

There are several design tools and standards to assist engineers, architects, and building officials with the design of shear walls. Prescriptive approaches such as those outlined in AWC's 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings tend to provide conservative results. Engineered approaches such as those outlined in AWC's 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) typically result in more efficient designs. This course will outline several resources available for shear wall design, compare design results, and provide an example for resisting seismic loads on a structure using both the WFCM and SDPWS.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this course, participants will:

1. Identify and understand the basic shear wall system to resist lateral seismic loads.
2. Understand the differences between segmented and perforated shear wall design.
3. Understand hold down design and special conditions that pertain to seismic hold downs.
4. Be able to identify and analyze shear walls per 2015 WFCM, and 2015 SDPWS and understand the differences between them.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This presentation provides an overview of the Force Transfer Around Openings (FTAO) shear wall design approach, recent research in this area, and a side-by-side comparison of design results between segmented, perforated, and FTAO design methods. This methodology is based on a joint research project of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, University of British Columbia (UBC), and USDA Forest Products Laboratory that examined variations of shear walls with code-allowable openings. The study evaluated internal forces generated during testing and assessed the effects of opening sizes, full-height pier sizes, and different construction techniques, including the segmented, perforated, and FTAO methods. Asymmetric piers, multiple openings, and C-shaped sheathing were investigated and rational design methodologies in accordance with the International Building Code have been created.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will investigate past and current methods for determining force transfer around openings for wood shear walls through discussion of the joint research project of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FPL).
2. Participants will compare the effects of different opening sizes, full-height pier sizes, and their relationships to the three industry shear wall approaches by illustrating use of the segmented, perforated, and FTAO methods.
3. Participants will observe how the study examined internal forces generated during loading by reviewing full-scale wall test data as well as analytical modeling performed in determining statistical accuracy.
4. Participants will conclude that research results obtained from this study can be used to support different design methodologies in estimating forces around openings accurately.

Equivalencies: 1.5 Hours of Instruction = 0.15 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1.5 Learning Units (LU)

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AWC's 2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) contains provisions for wood structural panel shear walls designed to resist shear and uplift forces simultaneously, as well as wind uplift forces alone. This article reviews the prescriptive engineered design tools and standards, progression and overview of provisions, tabulated values for uplift capacity, and requirements for installation and illustrations for nailing per the 2008 SDPWS.

Learning Outcomes:

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Understand limitations of previous methods and the new prescriptive design tools
2. Describe the progression of provisions over time, leading up to the 2008 SDPWS
3. Recognize the requirements for wood structural panels designed to resist combined shear and uplift from wind
4. Interpret Tables 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 for allowable stress design (ASD) and load and resistance factor design (LRFD) adjustment factors

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

 

This continuing education course provides an overview of wind-resistive design issues in wood buildings with a focus on compliance with the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and American Society of Civil Engineers/ Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE/ SEI) Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10). The information on code-conforming wood design contained in this course is based on the American Wood Council’s (AWC’s) 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction, the 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) and the 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM).

Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:

1. Describe the basic parameters for determining wind loads on buildings in accordance with the 2012 IBC and ASCE 7-10.
2. Consider the effects of topography, wind directionality and openings in the structure on calculated wind loads and wind pressures.
3. Explain how the exposure category for a building project can vary based on the roughness of nearby terrain.
4. Recognize the importance of a continuous load path minimize damage to wood buildings in a high wind event.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This presentation will focus on the engineered design of large wood panelized roof diaphragms in tilt-up concrete and masonry wall buildings, with focus on design requirements for strength, stiffness, and proper development and resistance of wall anchorage forces. A historical perspective of how past seismic experience with this building type has influenced today's building code provides a good perspective for the participant to apply the current provisions of ASCE 7-10, 2012 NDS and 2008 SDPWS. Various design illustrations and examples of high load wood structural panel diaphragms, wall anchorage, subdiaphragms, continuity cross ties, chords and collectors will be shown.

This webinar is intended for practicing engineers and undergraduate and graduate engineering students. After attending, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the characteristics of a panelized wood roof diaphragm.
2. Apply requirements for wall anchorage forces including proper detailing for distribution of these forces into the diaphragm.
3. Utilize subdiaphragms as a tool to create an efficient load path for wall anchorage forces.
4. Design wood diaphragms and their chords and collectors for seismic forces.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Increased availability of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in North America, combined with successful use in projects worldwide, has generated interest in its properties and performance within the U.S. design community. With the inclusion of CLT in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction, curiosity is evolving throughout the construction industry to use CLT in projects. Applications for the use of CLT include roof and floor systems as well as wall systems. This presentation will cover the available U.S. design standards and methods being used by engineers on these projects.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss product manufacturing and design standards relevant to cross laminated timber (CLT), and identify where these standards are recognized in the International Building Code.
2. Consider the structural design properties of CLT relevant to floor and roof applications.
3. Discover how to design CLT floors to achieve serviceability goals related to deflection and vibration.
4. Examine the use of CLT in example buildings and connection details.

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Mid-rise construction, with multiple stories of wood framing over a concrete first story, has been popular for many years as a way to take advantage of wood's cost effectiveness for the superstructure while maintaining a more traditional construction type below. Recently, some designers have chosen to forego concrete altogether and build the entire structure in wood, including the transfer floor framing level between R-2 and S-2 occupancies—further decreasing their costs while speeding construction and creating less massive, more uniform buildings. This course will examine two very different projects, a luxury apartment complex and a senior housing/mixed use project. Design considerations for durability, fire protection, sound transmission, seismic loads, and other provisions in the International Building Code (IBC) and the AWC Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (AWC-SDPWS) will be addressed.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the opportunities and challenges for wood use in mid-rise construction and be able to use that knowledge to specify this type of system in the future.
2. Learn the motivational drivers associated with the use of wood for midrise construction and why to consider it on future projects vs. typically specified systems.
3. Discover the structural challenges associated with transfer floor framing (level between R-2 and S-2) and gain a better understanding of the collaboration necessary with the structural engineer.
4. Understand how a transfer floor framing (level between R-2 and S-2) is designed for durability and longevity using non-traditional systems and methods.

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Cost-effective, code-compliant and sustainable, mid-rise wood construction is gaining the attention of developers and design professionals, who see it as a way to achieve higher density housing at lower cost—while reducing the carbon footprint of their projects. Yet, many familiar with wood construction for two- to four-story residential structures are not aware that the International Building Code(IBC) allows five stories of wood-frame construction in building occupancies that include multi-family, military, senior, student and affordable housing—and six stories for business. This course will discuss techniques for designers to achieve code-compliant mid-rise wood structures.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Identify the sustainability and economic benefits of using wood construction for mid-rise buildings
2. Summarize building code requirements and provisions for mid-rise multi-family wood-frame structures
3. Discuss wood framing solutions that address issues such as shrinkage, fire protection, and seismic requirements while minimizing carbon footprint
4. Explore innovations in wood framing design techniques and wood product technologies that enhance energy efficiency.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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The case for using wood in mid-rise multi-story construction is continuing to grow - fuelled in large part by rising costs, green building mandates, and the need for urban intensification. In recent years, jurisdictions across North America have amended or expanded building codes to permit the use of wood as a structural material in mid-rise construction. A growing list of exemplary projects - many of which employ the most modern design approaches to seismic and fire safety, acoustical and material performance - and subsequent studies and best practices, are leveling the playing field so that wood, concrete and steel can compete equally. This course discusses the growing acceptance of mid-rise light wood frame construction.

Learning objectives:

Upon completion of the eCourse, participant will:

1. Be able to list the advantages of mid-rise light wood-frame construction.
2. Be able to discuss the impact of changes in the BC Building Code, combined with the BC Wood First Act.
3. Be able to identify and describe several examples of mid-rise wood-frame construction.
4. Be able to explain the correlation between wood use and carbon footprint.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Mid-rise podium construction, with multiple stories of wood framing over a concrete first story, has been popular for many years as a way to take advantage of wood's cost effectiveness for the superstructure while maintaining a more traditional construction type below. Recently, some designers have chosen to forego concrete altogether and build the podium in wood—further decreasing their costs while speeding construction and creating less massive, more uniform buildings. This course will examine two very different projects, a luxury apartment complex and a senior housing/mixed use project. Design considerations related to the International Code Council's (ICC) International Building Code (IBC) and AWC's Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) and the use of wood podiums such as durability, fire protection, sound transmission and seismic loads will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the opportunities and challenges for wood use in wood podiums and be able to use that knowledge to specify this type of system in the future.
2. Learn the motivational drivers associated with the use of wood for podium construction and why to consider it on future projects vs. typically specified systems.
3. Discover the structural challenges associated with a wood podium and gain a better understanding of the collaboration necessary with the structural engineer.
4. Understand how a wood podium is designed for durability and longevity using non-traditional systems and methods.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been in use worldwide for over 15 years, but most notably in Europe. Building with CLT has increased in popularity for many reasons including: just-in-time fabrication and job site delivery, speed and efficiency in construction, reduced job site noise and on-site labor force, substitution of high embodied materials with a renewable resource that sequesters carbon, and creating a living or work space that has the aesthetics of exposed wood.

The recent introduction of CLT in the 2015 National Design Specification® for Wood Construction (NDS®) and the 2015 International Building Code has opened up an exciting new chapter in wood construction. The use of CLT alone or in combination with other mass timber elements, such as glued laminated timber (GLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), or structural composite lumber (SCL), is becoming more common in buildings complying with the current code. There is also an effort underway by the International Code Council (ICC) to recognize the use of mass timber elements in taller, combustible construction through the work of the ICC Tall Wood Ad Hoc Committee. This presentation will provide an introduction to CLT including relevant design standards and code references. Examples of various mass timber buildings around the world will be provided and potential future code provisions relating to mass timber will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants will:

1. Be able to define cross-laminated timber
2. Be aware of code and standard updates relevant to CLT and other mass timber elements
3. Be aware of notable mass timber structures around the globe
4. Learn about current tall wood building projects and resources

Equivalencies: 1.5 Hours of Instruction = 0.15 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1.5 Learning Units (LU)

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Wood is a natural and renewable building material that has long been preferred for its high strength-to-weight ratio, ease of assembly and availability. Timber structures from ancient times far surpass current limitations set by many of the modern building codes worldwide. Recently, the international architecture, engineering, and construction industries have developed renewed interest in specifying and using wood in multi-storey building designs mainly due to its aesthetics, versatility, environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness. This article will provide an introduction to historic wood structures and modern innovative wood structures.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Learn about historic wood structures ranging in age from 100 to over 1000 years.
2. Learn about new engineered mass timber products which are allowing designers to build taller with wood.
3. Become familiar with the new generation of tall wood structures around the world.
4. Learn about hybrid systems using wood being developed and used in new structures.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This presentation examines how fire resistance ratings in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) apply to mass timber and heavy timber construction. Topics include how the IBC incorporates fire testing and calculation methods to quantify fire resistance as well as how various materials, including wood, behave when exposed to high temperatures in fires. Discussion will include code compliant calculation methods for fire resistance ratings of wood frame assemblies and for wood members exposed to fire per the 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction Chapter 16. Mass timber fire resistance ratings when fully exposed or provided with some degree of noncombustible protection is addressed based on current and proposed future code provisions. Also included is information on fire testing, practical considerations for navigating 2015 IBC Chapter 7 on fire and smoke protection features, and an introduction to cross laminated timber (CLT).

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Visualize how mass timber and heavy timber building elements behave when subjected to fire.
2. Understand basic methods to achieve fire resistance ratings in the 2015 IBC.
3. Learn how fire resistance ratings of wood assemblies and mass timber are calculated.
4. Utilize an introduction to CLT as incorporated in the 2015 IBC along with future code change concepts to form a basis of understanding about taller and larger timber structures.

1 Hour of education credits will be awarded.

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This presentation examines how fire resistance ratings in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) apply to mass timber and heavy timber construction. Topics include how the IBC incorporates fire testing and calculation methods to quantify fire resistance as well as how various materials, including wood, behave when exposed to high temperatures in fires. Discussion will include code compliant calculation methods for fire resistance ratings of wood frame assemblies and for wood members exposed to fire per the 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction Chapter 16. Mass timber fire resistance ratings when fully exposed or provided with some degree of noncombustible protection is addressed based on current and proposed future code provisions. Also included is information on fire testing, an introduction to cross laminated timber (CLT), and an overview of proposed changes to the 2021 IBC regarding tall mass timber buildings.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Visualize how mass timber and heavy timber building elements behave when subjected to fire.
2. Understand basic methods to achieve fire resistance ratings in the 2015 IBC.
3. Learn how fire resistance ratings of wood assemblies and mass timber are calculated.
4. Utilize an introduction to CLT as incorporated in the 2015 IBC along with future code change concepts to form a basis of understanding about taller and larger timber structures.

Equivalencies: 1 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Fire testing to evaluate the performance of building materials and assemblies used in construction has been a requirement of building codes since the late 19th century. Early in the 20th century, versions of the ASTM E119 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials were developed by the National Bureau of Standards as a means to compare the relative structural fire performance of materials and assemblies. Today, a science-based methodology exists, which allows designers to accurately calculate the behavior of wood exposed to an E119 time - temperature curve. Wood building elements are recognized for retaining their structural integrity despite the loss of fiber and cross-section due to charring.

With a rapidly growing interest in tall buildings constructed of mass timber, it became necessary to quantify the degree to which exposed timber contributes to a "real" compartment fire in order to establish appropriate building code requirements. During the work of the ICC Tall Wood Building Ad Hoc Committee (TWB), special test programs were developed and performed with the input of the fire service. Accordingly, a number of full-scale compartments constructed of mass timber building elements and furnished with real furniture and contents were fire tested. Results of these tests that were used by the ICC Tall Wood Building (TWB) Ad Hoc Committee in the development of proposed changes to the 2021 International Building Code will be presented.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the objectives of recent large-scale compartment fire testing in the U.S.
2. Describe the purpose of tests conducted by and findings of the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the tests performed at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on behalf of the ICC TWB.
3. Evaluate and describe the outcomes of the ATF tests and contrast those to the outcomes of the FPRF tests.
4. Understand how testing is used to assess the added fire resistance time associated with non-combustible materials applied to mass timber elements in standardized E119 tests and be able to evaluate the results of those tests.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hour of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) = 1 Learning Unit (LU)

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Adhesive bonding of wood laminations allows for the manufacture of large wood members. Adhesives used for this purpose must meet specified levels of resistance to heat at elevated temperatures. This performance is determined through testing. Code-referenced standards currently require such adhesives to pass a bond line shear test at elevated temperatures as a demonstration of this performance. The presentation will include an overview of the manufacturing of glued engineered wood products and the applicable code-referenced standards. During the work of the ICC Tall Wood Building Ad Hoc Committee (TWB), special test programs were developed and performed with the input of the fire service. New test protocols were developed to ensure the adhesive used in cross-laminated timber (CLT) will not result in the re-kindling of uncharred wood at the bond line. Background and the resulting test protocol for CLT will be presented.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Recognize how cross-laminated timber and other glued engineered wood products are manufactured.
2. Describe the compartment fire test results and circumstances that led to the development of a full-scale room fire protocol for qualifying adhesives used to manufacturer cross-laminated timber.
3. Summarize the test protocols and associated pass/fail criteria established in PRG 320 for qualifying adhesives and evaluate their impact on mass timber construction.
4. Understand the proposed code change that addresses the performance requirements for cross laminated timber, and state its impact on mass timber construction.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hour of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) = 1 Learning Unit (LU)

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In early 2016, the ICC Board of Directors approved the creation of an ad hoc committee to explore the building science of tall wood buildings with the scope being to investigate the feasibility of and take action to develop code changes for tall wood buildings. Since that time, the Tall Wood Building (TWB) Ad Hoc Committee has reviewed voluminous materials regarding tall wood buildings, including results of various testing around the world, as well as studies domestically in support of the TWB charge to conduct a thorough review of the science of tall wood. The TWB developed its own test scenario(s) to substantiate any code change proposals (testing was carried out at ATF labs); and worked to develop a comprehensive set of technically-substantiated code changes for consideration during the 2018 Group A code development process. The intensive research performed by the Committee will be presented in addition to the resulting proposals, developed by Committee consensus and submitted to the ICC Code Development Process. The changes were submitted to ICC in accordance with the January 8, 2018 deadline and will be considered during Committee Action Hearings from April 15 – 25, 2018.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Identify the make-up of the TWB Ad Hoc Committee and the process used to reach consensus on proposed code changes.
2. Recognize how the new types of construction compare with existing types of construction in the International Building Code and specify the inherent differences and conservative approaches the new types have.
3. Understand the process by which the allowable heights, areas, and number of stories permitted for the proposed mass timber types of construction were developed and will be able to utilize the information for building design.
4. State the fire resistance requirements for mass timber building elements. Further, they will be able to distinguish when and where non-combustible protection can be omitted.

Equivalencies: 1.5 Hour of Instruction = 0.15 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 1.5 Professional Development Hour (PDH) = 1.5 Learning Unit (LU)

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Around the world, designers are leveraging the strength, stability, and design flexibility of products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and nail-laminated timber to push beyond wood’s perceived boundaries, achieving building heights and spans that that were historically built out of concrete, steel, or masonry. The combination of aesthetics, structural performance, and opportunity for innovation have proven irresistible; mass timber also offers a host of other advantages.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine the trend toward mass timber buildings in the context of carbon footprint, construction efficiency, fire and life safety, occupant well-being, and other potential advantages.
2. Identify a range of mass timber products available to North American building designers.
3. Discuss research and resources related to the structural performance and fire/life safety of mass timber products.
4. Based on examples of mass timber buildings either built or under construction, describe how all-wood and hybrid systems are expanding the options for wood design.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Design professionals are being tasked to design more resilient structures that can survive adverse situations such as natural disasters, the effects of climate change, and even deliberate attack. This course will consider traditional wood framing and mass timber systems in the context of resilience, including performance during and after natural disasters, as well as the relevance of wood’s light carbon footprint and low embodied energy. It will describe how building codes and standards such as the NDS support resilience now, and consider how wood structures can be used to meet evolving resilience objectives.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Discuss why the concept of resilience can be viewed as another step in the evolution of sustainable building design.
2. Identify the strengths of traditional wood framing and mass timber systems in the context of building resilience, including performance during and after earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters, as well as the relevance of carbon footprint and embodied energy.
3. Explain how the International Building Code (IBC) and referenced standards such as the National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction support building resilience.
4. Describe examples of research related to the development of new building materials and systems that could help communities meet more stringent resilience criteria.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Timber has been successfully used to construct fire-safe buildings in the United States, Canada and Europe for more than a century. No building material is "fireproof." One goal of fire-resistive design is to provide the proper building materials and structural fire protection, based on the use of the structure. The combustibility of the structure is often a primary consideration, however it is recognized that the greatest fire threat lies with the types of materials stored in the building. This course covers several different methods where timber construction may be used to address fire safety priorities.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the eCourse, participant will:

1. Be able to define important goals of fire-resistive design.
2. Be able to discuss how timber can be used successfully to provide fire resistance for buildings.
3. Be able to identify and describe the different methods of addressing fire resistance in wood buildings.
4. Be able to recall important International Building Code and National Building Code of Canada code requirements for Heavy Timber Construction.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

 

With growing pressure to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment, building designers are increasingly being called upon to balance functionality and cost objectives with reduced environmental impact. Wood can help to achieve that balance. This continuing education course examines key green building rating programs and how wood building materials and components are rated within each. Increased reliance on LCA and environmental product declarations (EPDs), and the implications for wood construction, are also explored.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the sustainable aspects of wood products.
2. Describe how wood contributes to credits under various green building rating systems.
3. Articulate the importance of life cycle assessment and how it can be used to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings at the design stage.
4. Describe how green building certification, sustainable forest certification, and Environmental Product Declarations complement each other to provide a more complete picture of a building’s environmental performance.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

 

New EPDs are part of a growing trend.

This course will explain why EPDs are important, and how to understand and use the information in an EPD, with particular reference to EPDs recently released for lumber and glued laminated timber (glulam). The wood industry in the U.S. and Canada has been at the forefront of the trend, undertaking research and developing life cycle information that verify the environmental impact of wood building products. As the tools for analyzing and substantiating environmental performance become more sophisticated, the wood industry is working to use them to help the building community better understand wood as a building material in the context of its environmental impact.

Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:

1. Describe the function and format of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and how they are used to analyze a building product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle.
2. Differentiate EPDs from other types of ecolabels, rating systems, and certifications of environmental performance.
3. Explain how EPDs are being used now, and the factors driving more product manufacturers to develop them and more designers and specifiers to use them as a standard part of sustainable product selection.
4. Evaluate the information in an EPD, using recently published EPDs on wood products.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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There are three approaches referenced in the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard that allow for life cycle analysis (LCA) of products, built-up assemblies, or entire structures. AWC has completed sample LCAs for comparison of wood studs to steel studs using the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) program, as well as an LCA for an insulated wood stud wall assembly using Athena’s Impact Estimator. A whole building LCA will be conducted using REVIT software.

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Learn what Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is and how it is used to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).
2. Learn about EPDs developed by the American Wood Council (AWC) and Canadian Wood Council (CWC) and how to use them in green building codes.
3. Learn how to apply LCA to earn credits in the National Green Building Standard (NGBS).
4. Discern differences in acceptable types of LCA in NGBS.
5. Learn about some of the software programs that are currently acceptable for LCA.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

 

With proper attention to detail and the application of building science in design, wood buildings can meet or exceed the requirements of new energy codes and standards, as well as conservation programs and labeling systems such as Passive House, net-zero energy, and the Architecture 2030 Challenge. With an emphasis on building envelope design for mid-rise buildings, this course will focus on design strategies for air and thermal control, and energy-efficient assemblies. It will discuss wood-frame construction in the context of the International Energy Construction Code (IECC), and highlight expanding possibilities for the design of energy-efficient wood buildings using “mass timber” products.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Summarize a range of design considerations required to achieve energy-efficient building enclosures in multi-story wood-frame buildings.
2. Discuss thermal insulation strategies, which must be considered together with airtightness and vapor permeability in assemblies to achieve effective thermal efficiency.
3. Explain methods for controlling heat and airflow in wood-frame buildings.
4. Identify how new energy codes such as the International Energy Conservation Code have increased emphasis on thermal performance.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Many factors influence whether a building has a positive or negative impact on its occupants. This course highlights remarkable buildings where the use of wood as a structural or finish material has made a unique contribution, with a focus on indoor air quality, acoustics, physical health, and a natural, positive human response to wood that has always been intuitive, but is increasingly being proven by research and experience.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Define relationship between building’s sustainability and health/performance of building’s occupants.
2. Explore how wood was used to enhance experience of building occupants.
3. Recognize how wood used as a structural and finish material contributes to key elements of occupant environment including indoor air quality, acoustic performance, and physical health.
4. Examine evidence confirming the positive human response to wood for its aesthetic qualities and connection to nature.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Worldwide, there has been increasing focus on the carbon footprint of buildings and recognition that design professionals are uniquely positioned to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by creating high-performance structures. There are an increasing number of life cycle assessment (LCA) tools that allow designers to evaluate and compare buildings based on a range of indicators such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. This course examines the environmental impacts of wood products—from the global scale of the world’s forests to the individual scale of efficient, adaptable, and innovative buildings—using real-world examples from two U.S. carbon calculators as well as the latest research on LCA.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Examine the natural cycle of carbon absorption and storage, and the role of forests and wood products in mitigating carbon emissions.
2. Discuss the role of wood products sourced from sustainably managed forests in the design of sustainable, environmentally positive buildings.
3. Explain the low embodied energy of wood products, and how this translates into avoided carbon emissions throughout their life cycles.
4. Compare the carbon benefits of example buildings based on the results of two calculators.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Increasingly, wood from sustainably managed forests is viewed as a responsible choice—for a number of reasons. Wood grows naturally by harnessing energy from the sun, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. It is renewable and a carbon sink, and outperforms other materials in terms of embodied energy, air and water pollution, and other impact indicators. But what about the forest? The benefits above notwithstanding, how can building designers be sure that specifying wood doesn’t negatively impact the North American forest resource? As this course will demonstrate, the answer to that question has several elements.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate the use of wood as a construction material in the context of long-term forest sustainability as well as attributes such as low embodied energy and light carbon footprint.
2. Discuss forest sustainability measures such as biodiversity, soil and water quality, and harvest vs. net growth.
3. Examine the concept that using wood in buildings provides an incentive to landowners to keep forested lands forested instead of converting them to uses such as urban development.
4. Compare the carbon benefits of an unmanaged forest vs. a managed forestwhere timber is used for wood buildings.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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With an abundance of information and competing environmental claims, determining a material's true impacts can be a challenge. Questions arise on issues such as whether wood can reduce a building's carbon footprint in a meaningful way, if it is better to use recycled steel or wood from a sustainably managed forest, what extent structural materials impact operational performance, and the effects of material selection, design, and maintenance on structural resilience. This course seeks to address these and other questions. Examining materials throughout their life cycles, it focuses on international research supporting the use of wood for its carbon and other benefits while considering some of the advantages of concrete and steel. It also touches on efforts of all three industries to lessen their environmental impacts.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Compare the life cycle impacts of common building materials, from the extraction or harvest of raw materials through end-of-life disposal or recycling/reuse.
2. Articulate the influence of wood on operational energy efficiency.
3. Consider a growing body of research on the impacts of visual wood on occupant health and well-being.
4. Discuss design considerations related to a building's safety, resilience, and long-term durability.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This course is an introduction to the ever-growing family of traditional and engineered wood products (EWP). Products covered are lumber, glued-laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber, structural composite lumber, wood I-joists, and wood structural panels. The standards that form the basis for the manufacture and development of design stresses for each product are discussed as well as design provisions included in AWC's National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction. 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 course, participants will:

1. Be familiar with the ever-growing family of traditional and engineered wood products (EWP's) and their unique characteristics, including: 
   • lumber
   • glued-laminated timber (glulam)
   • cross laminated timber (CLT)
   • structural composite lumber
   • wood I-joists
   • plywood
   • oriented strand board
2. Be familiar with the standards that form the basis for the manufacture, development of design stresses, and design procedures for each product.
3. Be knowledgeable about the use of these products through examples of a wide range of building applications.
4. Be familiar with the resources that are available to obtain more information.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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Glued-laminated timber is often used as a primary load carrying member of buildings. Often selected for aesthetic reasons or its unparalleled design flexibility, glulam also offers superior structural performance combined with long term durability. This seminar will focus on recent glulam innovations — such as the use of fiber reinforced polymers to increase strength and stiffness — as well as sustainability considerations related to product selection and endurance. Member, connection, and fire design as outlined in AWC's National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction will also be discussed.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be able to identify research and correctly specify glued-laminated beams appropriately on their projects.
2. Become familiar with a number of technology advances and standards related to glued-laminated beams.
3. Become familiar with key design considerations.
4. Become acquainted with the unique fire resistive characteristics of glulam as it influences the use of wood in building construction.
5. Understand the application of NDS Chapter 16 can be utilized to provide up to 2-hours of fire-resistance.

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Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Describe the characteristics of cross laminated timber (CLT) and its use in a range of building types.
2. Discuss the advantages of cross laminated timber over other building materials in terms of speed and efficiency of construction, design flexibility, environmental performance and other factors.
3. Use technical guidance available in the U.S. Cross-laminated Timber Handbook related to key issues such as structural design, connectors, vibration, and fire resistance.
4. Recognize how U.S. CLT buildings can be approved under current building codes and how this will change under the 2015 International Building Code.
5. Examine the use of CLT in three innovative but very different building projects in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Heightened awareness of the environmental benefits of wood combined with advances in wood technology and manufacturing have aligned to make tall wood buildings not only possible but safe and cost effective. While the increasing number of code-approved, light-frame wood construction projects reaching five and six stories has helped North American building professionals raise their comfort level with wood, a number of forward-looking architects, engineers, and developers have been actively pursuing more contemporary wood buildings in North America. This continuing education course explores the evolution toward taller wood buildings, including motivating factors, fire and life safety, structural performance, and relevant changes to the International Building Code (IBC). Examples of tall wood buildings are featured throughout, with an emphasis on design approaches and materials used.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

1. Recognize that mid-rise and taller wood buildings can be safely, efficiently, and economically built using mass timber construction techniques.
2. Discuss different design approaches to mass timber construction for tall wood buildings.
3. Explain similarities and differences between the structural composite panel and lumber products that allow building professionals to design and construct tall wood buildings.
4. Distinguish the differences between design approaches to achieving the acceptable structural passive fire protection measures in a mass timber building.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This course will introduce an overview of a variety of current and new wood products and techniques. It will discuss how they may be applied to your future building designs and how they are being used in projects across the nation today to comply with the International Building Code (IBC). Included in this course is information on the application and advantages of:

• Panelized Walls - a technique that is allowing wood construction to be constructed under a more controlled environment and decreasing the time of construction at the site.
• Mid-ply Shear Walls - a technique for increased shear capacity.
• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) - a building system that can now be used in high seismic regions.
• Composite Floor Systems - a hybrid technology that allows for supreme floor performance.
• Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) - a sustainable technology to compete with reinforced concrete mid-rise and high-rise construction as well as concrete tilt up.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Become familiar with current wood-based construction systems and techniques.
2. Become familiar with new wood-based construction systems and techniques.
3. Recognize advantages and disadvantages to various wood framing methods.
4. Be able to explain how systems can be implemented into buildings and comply with the building code.

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This course is an introduction to the ever-growing family of traditional and engineered wood products (EWP) that are used for structural framing members in both residential and commercial construction. Products covered are lumber, glued-laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber, structural composite lumber, wood I-joists, and wood structural panels. Unique characteristics for each product are highlighted and relevant production and design standards for products are included as well as information related to qualifying the sustainable characteristics of these products using Environmental Product Declarations.

Learning Objectives

1. Become familiar with the range of traditional and engineered wood products available for structural design.
2. Become familiar with relevant product standards and grade stamps associated with wood products.
3. Become familiar with relevant design references and standards for specifying wood products.
4. Learn about Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and which wood products have EPDs available.

Please note that AWC, AIA and ICC do not warrant that a program complies with the continuing education requirements in all jurisdictions. This self-directed study does not provide continuing education credit compliant with NCSEA’s Diamond Review Program.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This presentation will focus on Nail-laminated Timber (NLT), Glued-laminated Timber (GLT) and Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) structural framing members.  NLT and GLT has been adopted in the IBC and utilized throughout the world for several decades on a wide variety of buildings.  Often selected for aesthetic reasons or its unparalleled design flexibility, both offer superior structural performance combined with long term durability.  CLT has been recently incorporated in AWC's National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction 2015 as well as ICC’s 2015 International Building Code (IBC).  It has been used for over a decade in other parts of the world such as Europe and Australia and has recently made its way into North America.  Similar to NLT and GLT, in addition to its structural capabilities, CLT is specified for aesthetic appeal, structural simplicity and speed of construction.  Additionally, all three products offer sustainable qualities as they are manufactured from a renewable resource and store carbon.  Structural and fire protection characteristics of NLT, GLT and CLT will be discussed as well as IBC code provisions that allow their specification in both residential and commercial applications for a wide variety of occupancies.

Upon completion, participants will be better able to:

1. Be able to identify code acceptance of nail-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber.
2. Become familiar with a number of technology advances and standards related to nail-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber.
3. Improve design knowledge on building systems made with new types of mass timber products.
4. Become acquainted with the unique fire resistive characteristics of nail-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber as it influences the use of wood in building construction.
5. Understand the application of NDS Chapter 16 which can be utilized to design up to 2-hours of fire-resistance for exposed wood members.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

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AWC's National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction 2012 is the dual format Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) document referenced in US building codes and used to design wood structures worldwide. Participants will learn about changes in the 2012 NDS and Supplement relative to previous editions and gain an overview of the standard.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this eCourse, you will be knowledgeable of:

1. Be able to understand Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and how it applies to wood structural design.
2. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2005 and 2012 NDS and supplement.
3. Be able to identify the similarities and differences with respect to ASD, design values, and behavioral equations.
4. Be able to analyze format and content within the 2012 NDS.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

AWC's 2012 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction is referenced in US building codes and used to design wood structures worldwide. This article will highlight the changes in the 2012 NDS and 2012 NDS Supplement relative to previous editions and provide an overview of the standard.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2005 and 2012 NDS and NDS Supplement.
2. Be aware of the updated language relating to glued laminated timber (glulam) and new glulam adjustment factors.
3. Be familiar with relevant new provisions for connection design.
4. Be aware of revised LRFD Format Conversion Factors (K_F) and resistance factors (Φ).

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

AWC's National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction 2015 is the dual format Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) document referenced in US building codes and used to design wood structures worldwide. Participants will learn about changes in the 2015 NDS and Supplement relative to previous editions and gain an overview of the standard.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this eCourse, you will be:

1. Able to understand the load and material resistance design process and how it applies to wood structural design.
2. Familiar with the significant changes between the 2012 and 2015 NDS and supplement.
3. Able to identify the similarities and differences with respect to design values, tabulated values, and behavioral equations.
4. Able to analyze format and content within the 2015 NDS.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

AWC's 2015 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction is referenced in US building codes and used to design wood structures worldwide. This article will highlight changes in the 2015 NDS and 2015 NDS Supplement relative to previous editions and provide an overview of the standard. The primary change to the 2015 NDS is incorporation of design provisions for cross-laminated timber (CLT).

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be familiar with significant changes between the 2012 and 2015 NDS and 2015 NDS Supplement.
2. Be aware of updated language relating to Structural Composite Lumber.
3. Be familiar with relevant new provisions for Cross-Laminated Timber.
4. Be aware of revised language related to withdrawal of fasteners with a tapered tip.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

This presentation will provide an overview of the significant changes for wood design per AWC's National Design Specification® (NDS) for Wood Construction. The 2018 NDS is referenced in the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code and used to design wood structures worldwide. The 2018 NDS references ASCE/SEI Standard 7-16 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures which includes increased wind loads. Participants will learn about changes in the 2018 NDS to address increased wind loads and gain an overview of the standard.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify changes in the 2018 NDS.
2. Identify wind load increases in ASCE 7-16 that affect wood design and construction.
3. Identify new fastener provisions developed to address increased wind loads.
4. Design nails for withdrawal to resist the new wind loads.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hour of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) = 1 Learning Unit (LU)

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This presentation uses the 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) as the basis for describing how wind loads are developed from the wind speeds shown in ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. The WFCM prescriptive method will is used to illustrate the magnitude and applied location for loads applicable to low-rise wood frame construction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Be able to determine site-specific wind speeds using ASCE 7-10
2. Understand how wind speeds are used for calculating Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) and Components and Cladding (C&C) loads
3. Understand how to convert from ASCE 7-10 back to ASCE 7-05 wind speeds
4. Understand how to develop loads from wind speeds

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This webinar will be a continuation of the Loads webinar and use the loads developed previously to illustrate the importance of load path continuity in buildings. Vertical and lateral load paths will be described including the role of shear walls in buildings. The 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) will be used as the basis for loads and load paths that must be determined in design of low-rise wood frame construction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Be able to describe how loads are distributed to buildings both vertically and horizontally
2. Be able to describe several different load paths that are critical to improved building performance during high winds
3. Be able to recognize structural configurations or significant loading in building framing that might present construction challenges to framing continuous load paths
4. Be able to recognize construction defects that could potentially fail under high wind loads

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

    

This webinar builds on the two previous Load and Load Path webinars and describes how connectors are used to create load paths in the structure and how the 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) and calculated loads are used to determine connector type and size. Reference to connector products available in the marketplace will be made without identifying particular manufacturers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Be able to describe various methods for making connections
2. Understand how connections are expected to perform
3. Understand various locations in a load path that require sound connections
4. Understand what type of connections provide continuity to the foundation

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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This webinar builds on the three previous Load, Load Path, and Connections webinars to describe how loads must be transferred through the building to reach the foundation system. Foundation systems utilizing elevated piles will be emphasized. Due to minimal design information on elevated foundations in the building code, this webinar is intended to provide some design basics that may not be readily available.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the concepts of load path for wind pressure applied to buildings
2. Understand how loads are distributed into foundations
3. Be able to describe various foundation systems best-suited for wind and flood loads
4. Understand the most likely foundation failures attributable to wind only

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AF&PA WFCM-2001) has been updated to the 2012 WFCM which is referenced in the 2012 International Building Code and 2012 International Residential Code. This presentation will provide an overview of the significant changes in the 2012 WFCM relative to the previous 2001 edition.

Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the purpose of the 2012 WFCM and its development process.
2. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2001 and 2012 WFCM.
3. Be able to analyze format and content within the 2012 WFCM.
4. Be familiar with additional resources that are available.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2012) has been updated from the 2001 WFCM. The 2012 WFCM is referenced in the 2012 International Building Code and 2012 International Residential Code. This article provides an overview of the significant changes in the 2012 WFCM relative to the previous 2001 edition.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the 2012 WFCM uses and scope limitations.
2. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2001 and 2012 WFCM.
3. Be familiar with the design approaches and referenced standards in the 2012 WFCM.
4. Be familiar with specific provisions of the building codes referencing the 2012 WFCM.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2012) has been updated to the 2015 WFCM which is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. This article will provide an overview of the significant changes in the 2015 WFCM relative to the previous 2012 edition.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this article, participants will:

1. Understand the purpose of the 2015 WFCM and its scope limitations.
2. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2012 and 2015 WFCM.
3. Be familiar with the design approaches outlined in the 2015 WFCM.
4. Be familiar with building codes referencing the 2015 WFCM.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Engineering concepts from the 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM), used to develop the 2015 WFCM High Wind Guides, will be covered, along with updates on changes to the 2015 WFCM. The WFCM and High Wind Guides provide designers with time-saving tools using prescriptive solutions (based on structural engineering principles) for wood structures to resist anticipated wind loads. Example problems showing how to apply tabular solutions offered in the High Wind Guide will also be presented.

Learning Objectives

1. Be familiar with provisions of the 2015 WFCM and High Wind Guides and relevant references in the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2015 International Building Code.
2. Be familiar with changes in the 2015 WFCM and how they impact structural design.
3. Understand how roof, floor, and wall assemblies and connections interact as part of a wind uplift and lateral force resisting system.
4. Understand how to appropriately apply tables in both the WFCM and High Wind Guides to determine prescriptive minimums.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2012) is referenced in the 2012 International Building Code and 2012 International Residential Code.  The WFCM contains tabulated prescriptive and engineered design provisions based on ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures and covers connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are included such as sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural panel sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Using Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loadings (2012 WFCM Workbook) this 2-part hands-on session provides a design example, helpful checklist, and background information for design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2012 WFCM.  Using plans from a 2-story residence, participants prescriptively design the structure to resist high wind, seismic, and typical residential gravity loads. Part 1 will provide an overview of appropriate loads to apply to residential structures and work through the roof story design. Participants are strongly encouraged to view the free recorded webinar on Significant Changes to the 2012 WFCM (STD315) prior to this webinar.

Learning Outcomes
   
Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Learn the appropriate high wind, seismic, and snow loads to apply to residential structures based on code-referenced load standards.
2. Learn about the engineering basis of prescriptive tables used to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads in the roof story system.
3. Learn to use prescriptive tables to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads in the roof story system.
4. Learn to use checklists and detailing summaries to ensure a complete load path is prescriptively designed for the roof story.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2012) is referenced in the 2012 International Building Code and 2012 International Residential Code. The WFCM contains tabulated prescriptive and engineered design provisions based on ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures and covers connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are included such as sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural panel sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Using Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loads (2012 WFCM Workbook) this hands-on session provides a design example, helpful checklist, and background information for design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2012 WFCM. Using plans from a 2-story residence, participants prescriptively design the structure to resist high wind, seismic, and typical residential gravity loads. Part 2 will deal with design of wall and floor systems, including shear wall design and appropriate connections between roof, floor, wall, and foundations to maintain load path. Participants are strongly encouraged to view the free recorded webinar on Significant Changes to the 2012 WFCM (STD315) prior to this webinar.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Attendees will learn the appropriate high wind, seismic, and snow loads to apply to residential structures based on code-referenced load standards.
2. Attendees will learn about the engineering basis of prescriptive tables used to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads in the wall and floor systems.
3. Attendees will learn to use prescriptive tables to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads in the wall and floor systems.

Attendees will learn to use checklists and detailing summaries to ensure a complete load path is prescriptively designed for the wall and floor systems.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

This course uses Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loadings (2015 WFCM Workbook) which provides a design example, helpful checklist, and background information for design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2015 WFCM (referenced in the 2015 IRC and IBC). Using plans from a 2-story residence, participants prescriptively design the structure to resist high wind, seismic, and typical residential gravity loads. An overview of appropriate loads to apply to residential structures will be provided. Participants will work through roof, wall, and floor system designs including shear walls and appropriate connections between roof, floor, wall, and foundations to maintain load path.

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. The WFCM contains tabulated prescriptive and engineered design provisions based on ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures and covers connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are included such as sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural panel sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Part 1 will provide an overview of the 2-story example structure, loads to be resisted, and applicability limitations of the WFCM.

Learning Outcomes

Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Learn the appropriate high wind, seismic, and snow loads to apply to residential structures based on code-referenced load standards.
2. Learn about the engineering basis of prescriptive tables used to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
3. Learn to use prescriptive tables to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
4. Learn to use checklists and detailing summaries to ensure a complete load path is prescriptively designed.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

This course uses Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loadings (2015 WFCM Workbook) which provides a design example, helpful checklist, and background information for design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2015 WFCM (referenced in the 2015 IRC and IBC). Using plans from a 2-story residence, participants prescriptively design the structure to resist high wind, seismic, and typical residential gravity loads. An overview of appropriate loads to apply to residential structures will be provided. Participants will work through roof, wall, and floor system designs including shear walls and appropriate connections between roof, floor, wall, and foundations to maintain load path.

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. The WFCM contains tabulated prescriptive and engineered design provisions based on ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures and covers connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are included such as sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural panel sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Part 2 will focus on the roof story design including gable-end wall framing, roof and ceiling framing and sheathing, and connections.

Learning Outcomes

Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Learn the appropriate high wind, seismic, and snow loads to apply to residential structures based on code-referenced load standards.
2. Learn about the engineering basis of prescriptive tables used to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
3. Learn to use prescriptive tables to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
4. Learn to use checklists and detailing summaries to ensure a complete load path is prescriptively designed.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

This course uses Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loadings (2015 WFCM Workbook) which provides a design example, helpful checklist, and background information for design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2015 WFCM (referenced in the 2015 IRC and IBC). Using plans from a 2-story residence, participants prescriptively design the structure to resist high wind, seismic, and typical residential gravity loads. An overview of appropriate loads to apply to residential structures will be provided. Participants will work through roof, wall, and floor system designs including shear walls and appropriate connections between roof, floor, wall, and foundations to maintain load path.

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. The WFCM contains tabulated prescriptive and engineered design provisions based on ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures and covers connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are included such as sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural panel sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Part 3 will focus on the second-story design including floor and wall framing and sheathing (e.g. shear walls and framing around openings) and connections.

Learning Outcomes

Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Learn the appropriate high wind, seismic, and snow loads to apply to residential structures based on code-referenced load standards.
2. Learn about the engineering basis of prescriptive tables used to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
3. Learn to use prescriptive tables to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
4. Learn to use checklists and detailing summaries to ensure a complete load path is prescriptively designed.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

This course uses Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loadings (2015 WFCM Workbook) which provides a design example, helpful checklist, and background information for design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2015 WFCM (referenced in the 2015 IRC and IBC). Using plans from a 2-story residence, participants prescriptively design the structure to resist high wind, seismic, and typical residential gravity loads. An overview of appropriate loads to apply to residential structures will be provided. Participants will work through roof, wall, and floor system designs including shear walls and appropriate connections between roof, floor, wall, and foundations to maintain load path.

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. The WFCM contains tabulated prescriptive and engineered design provisions based on ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures and covers connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are included such as sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural panel sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Part 4 will focus on the first-story design and include summation of loads from above and connections specific to foundations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Learn the appropriate high wind, seismic, and snow loads to apply to residential structures based on code-referenced load standards.
2. Learn about the engineering basis of prescriptive tables used to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
3. Learn to use prescriptive tables to size wood members and connections to resist high wind, seismic, and snow loads.
4. Learn to use checklists and detailing summaries to ensure a complete load path is prescriptively designed.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. For WFCM wind load calculations, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10) is used. The 2015 WFCM includes design information for buildings located in regions with 700-year return period “three second gust” design wind speeds between 110 and 195 mph. ASD wind pressures for Main Wind-Force Resisting Systems (MWFRS) and Components and Cladding (C&C) are computed. Shear, uplift, and overturning loads are calculated for various building components. WFCM Chapter 2 provides minimum loads for the purpose of establishing specific resistance requirements for buildings within the scope of the document. This presentation will provide background and examples for calculation of these forces which will enable designers and code officials to quickly determine wind design loads for projects.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand applicable wind loads from ASCE 7-10 for structures within the WFCM scope.
2. Be familiar with application of MWFRS versus C&C loads for various building components and systems.
3. Be familiar with shear, uplift, and overturning wind loads for various building components.
4. Be familiar with tabulated values and their basis in WFCM Chapter 2 for wind loads.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. For WFCM load calculations, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10) is used. The 2015 WFCM includes design information not only for lateral loads, but for gravity loads including snow, roof live, floor live, and dead loads on buildings up to 3 stories. This presentation will provide background and examples for calculation of these forces which will enable designers and code officials to quickly determine gravity design loads for projects. Examples include thrust connection loads on rafters and span impacts due to rafter ties; interior and exterior wall loads and related wall stud compression stresses; and hip and valley, and ridge beam capacity requirements.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand applicable gravity loads from ASCE 7-10 for structures within the WFCM scope.
2. Be familiar with application of snow, live, and dead loads for various building components and systems.
3. Be familiar with the ramifications of gravity loads on various building components.
4. Be familiar with tabulated values and their basis in WFCM Chapter 2 for gravity loads.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code. For WFCM load calculations, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10) is used. The 2015 WFCM includes design information for wind and seismic loads and gravity loads including snow, roof live, floor live, and dead loads on buildings up to 3 stories. This presentation will provide background and examples for calculation of forces on headers which will enable designers and code officials to quickly determine design loads. It will also provide engineered prescriptive solutions for both solid sawn and glued-laminated timber headers to resist those loads. Related issues including jack studs, king studs, connections for lateral and gravity loads, and the difference between dropped and raised headers will be discussed.

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand applicable lateral and gravity loads from ASCE 7-10 for headers within the WFCM scope.
2. Be familiar with the difference between dropped and raised headers.
3. Be familiar with the design of jack studs and king studs to resist both gravity and lateral loads.
4. Be familiar with the design of lateral, shear, gravity, and uplift connections related to headers.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

   

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2018) has been updated and is referenced in the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC). The 2018 WFCM uses gravity and lateral loads based on ASCE 7-16 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. This presentation will provide an overview of the significant changes in the 2018 WFCM relative to the previous 2015 edition. The WFCM provides code officials and designers with time-saving tools based on engineered and prescriptive solutions (based on structural engineering principles) for wood structures to resist anticipated lateral and gravity loads.

Learning Objectives

1. Be familiar with provisions of the 2018 WFCM and relevant references in the 2018 IRC and 2018 IBC
2. Be familiar with changes to the 2018 WFCM and their impact
3. Understand new wind provisions based on ASCE 7-16
4. Understand the addition of deformed-shank fasteners and other criteria to address new wind load provisions

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hour of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) = 1 Learning Unit (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

Per the International Building Code (IBC), structures using wood shear walls and diaphragms to resist wind, seismic and other lateral loads shall be designed and constructed in accordance with AWC's Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). 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 course 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.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be able to calculate wood-frame diaphragm deflection using the 2008 SDPWS.
2. Be able to compare the difference between the 3-term and 4-term deflection equation in the 2008 SDPWS.
3. Be able to analyze individual components of the deflection equations to determine their magnitude of impact on total deflection.
4. Be able to utilize the example deflection calculation in future design work as a model for their own calculations.
5. NCSEA does not warrant that a program complies with the continuing education requirements in all jurisdictions.

See also DES412-1 – Seismic-Resistive Design of Wood Buildings.

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The International Building Code (IBC) requires that structures using wood-framed shear walls and diaphragms to resist wind and seismic lateral loads be designed and constructed in accordance with AWC's Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). This article discusses significant additions and revisions to the 2008 SDPWS and how to apply design provisions for shear walls and diaphragms.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be familiar with 2008 SDPWS updates to referenced standards.
2. Understand the significant changes between the 2005 and 2008 SDPWS.
3. Recognize consistencies with ASCE 7-05 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.
4. Be able to determine where to obtain the 2008 SDPWS and other resources.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

    

Per the International Building Code (IBC), structures using wood shear walls and diaphragms to resist wind and seismic lateral loads shall be designed and constructed in accordance with AWC's Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). This course will discuss the 2015 SDPWS which is a dual format document with both allowable stress design (ASD) and load and resistance factor design (LRFD). In this course, participants will learn about format of the SDPWS and how to apply design provisions to shear walls and diaphragms as well as changes from previous editions.

Upon Completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be able to understand load path basics and how it applies to wood structural design.
2. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2008 and 2015 SDPWS.
3. Be able to identify lateral resisting systems and understand where to obtain design specifications for these systems.
4. Be able to analyze format and content within the 2015 SDPWS.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

Per the International Building Code (IBC), structures using wood shear walls and diaphragms to resist wind and seismic lateral loads shall be designed and constructed in accordance with AWC's Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). This article will discuss the 2015 SDPWS and participants will learn about format of the SDPWS as well as how to apply design provisions to shear walls and diaphragms as well as changes from previous editions.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Be familiar with 2015 SDPWS updates to referenced standards.
2. Be familiar with the significant changes between the 2008 and 2015 SDPWS.
3. Be familiar with consistencies with ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.
4. Be able to determine where to obtain the 2015 SDPWS and other resources.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

  

AWC's 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Constructionand Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) standards are referenced in US building codes and used to design wood structures worldwide. The current editions, designated ANSI/AWC NDS-2015 and ANSI/AWC SDPWS-2015, were approved as ANSI American National Standards in 2014. This presentation will provide an overview of changes in the 2015 NDS and SDPWS relative to the previous editions. Significant changes relate to incorporation of cross laminated timber, open front diaphragms and cantilever diaphragms.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, participants will:

1. Discuss significant changes between the 2012 and 2015 NDS.
2. Discuss significant changes between the 2008 and 2015 SDPWS.
3. Be able to identify lateral resisting systems and understand where to obtain design specifications for these systems.
4. Discuss the overall format and content within the 2015 NDS and 2015 SDPWS.

Equivalencies: 2.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=2 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link

 

This article provides an overview of changes for the 2015 Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF) Design Specification—a publication intended to address structural design requirements of a wood foundation for light-frame construction. The standard for designing wood foundations, most commonly used in residential structures in the upper Midwest, has been updated to reflect reference to the 2015 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). The 2015 PWF, 2015 NDS, and 2015 SDPWS are all adopted by reference in the 2015 International Building Code and the 2015 International Residential Code.

Learning Objectives:
After reading this article, you will:

1. Understand changes incorporated in the 2015 PWF standard.
2. Be knowledgeable of the basic requirements for a PWF.
3. Understand material requirements for use in a PWF.
4. Be aware of related standards required to design a PWF.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH)=1 Learning Units (LU)

Click here for Stand-Alone Link