- Moisture Effects
-- Wood is a natural, fibrous material, and it gains or loses moisture as
changes occur in the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air. For example,
lumber located in a cool humid climate would tend to have a higher moisture content than
if the climate was warm and dry. This ability of wood to absorb or exude moisture is
important in wood design since moisture content affects the structural properties of wood.
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- Wind
Loads --
The objective of this module is to provide an introductory exposure to
the estimation of wind loads and the associated structural behavior of low-rise wood
buildings. Load development is based on the 1997 version of the Uniform Building
Code.
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- Lumber Production
-- A thorough knowledge of the fundamental physical and mechanical properties of a
material is a prerequisite to the proper use and application of the material.
Additionally, an understanding of the manufacturing and processing of the material is
needed. This module introduces the manufacturing and visual grading processes commonly
used for solid sawn lumber.
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- Load Duration
Factors -- Duration of load is the total cumulative length of time that the
full design load is applied to a wood member. Load duration factors address the ability of wood to
resist higher stresses when loads are applied for a short period of time. Load
duration is one of the least understood attributes of wood by practicing engineers, yet it
plays a key role in the overall design of wood structures.
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- Adjustment Factor
Quiz -- After determining which adjustment factors are
applicable to a design, the designer must select a tabulated design value and adjust it
appropriately. This module provides several self-guided quizzes regarding application of adjustment factors.
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- Adjustment Factor
Scenarios -- One of the unique aspects of wood design is the need to adjust
tabulated design values for expected end-use conditions. Factors to consider include
moisture content, temperature, duration of load, etc. This module provides
numerous practice scenarios where you are asked to determine the appropriate design values
and adjustment factors needed for design.
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- Beam Design --The purpose of this module is to illustrate the effects of load
and span on beam design. In particular, the relationships between beam span and various limit states
(shear, moment, and deflection) are emphasized.
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- Connections --
Laterally-loaded connections in wood structures are designed based on a series of
"yield limit equations" when fasteners such as bolts, lag screws, wood screws,
or nails are used to transmit loads in shear. An understanding of how various
material and geometric factors affect connection design is critical to the design
process.
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- Dowel Bearing
Strength -- Dowel
bearing strength (Fe) is the crushing strength of wood in contact with a fastener. This strength property influences the nominal design value (Z)
for connections that employ bolts, nails or other fasteners to resist loads in wood structures.
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- Shear Walls -- This module illustrates the lateral load path
through a typical wood structure and describes two design methodologies for wood-frame shear walls. The use of code-specified Allowable Shear
Design Tables for wood-frame shear walls is also illustrated.
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- Diaphragms --
This module illustrates the design methodology for wood-frame diaphragms that
resist lateral loads in structures.
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- Seismic Loads --
The objective of this module is to provide an introductory exposure to the estimation of
lateral seismic loads and the associated structural behavior of low-rise wood buildings. Load development
is based on provisions of the 2000 International Building Code (IBC) and the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC).
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- Shear Connections --
The objective of this module is to display a graphical reprensentation of load versus displacement
as a shear connection is loaded to failure.
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- Span Calculator for Joists and Rafters
-- Interactive calculator for determining maximum allowable spans for sawn
lumber floor joists, ceiling joists, and rafters. Calculations address lumber
bending capacity, shear capacity, bearing capacity (at ends of members), and
deflection.
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