Wood Construction

Provides a design example, typical checklist, and background information related to design of a wood frame structure in accordance with AF&PA’s Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two- Family Dwellings, 2005 Edition. The design example uses plans from a two-story residence as the basis for a structural design to resist wind, seismic and snow loads.

Building with wood has enjoyed a remarkable revival in recents years. Technically ingenious and aesthetically demanding buildings by architects such as Thomas Herzog or Santiago Calatrava derives their special character from wood. Modern building techniques are enhancing the structural possiblities of this traditionals material and in the context of current ecological debates, woods – the natural and renewable building material – is gaining?even greater importance.

This book emphasizes the important message that architects and structural engineers must strive to ensure that the buildings they design and construct should not be major contributors to climate change. Rather, they should be exploring the use of green materials and building methods—such as timber, wood, and associated materials—in order to safeguard the environment. These sustainable materials are not only environmentally friendly, but they have the added benefit of being easy to manufacture, cost-effective, often locally available, and easily replenished. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that wood and timber are viable materials in the construction of a wide variety of building types, including medium and high-rise buildings.