Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Structural data for wood in wood frame building
(OP)
Not being in this field, I do not have many resources for wood structures data to apply to a new structure. Will be constructing a wood pole style building and need to design for live loading. can anyone offer any links or resources for this data?






RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
best to get yourself a good structural engineer (the building type not the aeronautical type) we are cheap compared to you guys!.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
There are days when I wake up feeling like the dumbest man on the planet, then there are days when I confirm it.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
One thing that will require some work is the roof trusses since we want to use a scissor type truss over a large span. I suspect it will have to be a hybrid with steel in it but we have built them before with no issues. Our county accepts anything that is stamped so it would really be on us that the structure is sound.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
"...it would really be on us that the structure is sound."
Let's hope that doesn't happen as your comments would be missed. Get a structural engineer.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
There are days when I wake up feeling like the dumbest man on the planet, then there are days when I confirm it.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Find a local Pole or Post Frame builder. They can be helpful
Go to the NFPA website - National Frame Builders
Go to APAwood web site
Finally, hire an engineer who is familiar w/ type of structure. We can be informative and inventive. Done it for about 30 years.
I, too, have often thought this would be an economical house solution! Based on size the shell can be as cheap as $10/sq ft!!
Add a concrete slab and some interior walls and you got it.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Jason A. Partain, P.E.
www.myconstructionfinds.blogspot.com
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Will there be a "safe room"? I haven't done any designs in tornado land but realizing the huge wind velocities, flying debris, and low air pressure tending to "explode" closed structures, and the design of building structures being less accurate and predictable than aerospace structural design, I would hire a SE.
At any rate, a free resource is attached (it is a large .pdf file), but keep in mind this is not complete such as the NDS.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
I may find an URL later.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
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RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
I live in tornado alley - St. Louis. Just look at Joplin or our airport. Both were torn to shreds!! We design to 90 mph - that's it. And tornadoes can go to 300 mph!!!
I have lived here 55 years and NEVER even seen one!! Very spotty, very seldom hit populated areas or large areas. Although this year has been a bit "different" - global warming - you know???
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
I heard in the news that some ICF - wall houses "survived" the recent tornadoes, but there was no specific info - was the roof peeled off partially, etc?
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Being in the alley, I have witnessed 4 and driven through 1. Also had our place hit with 140mph micro burst that dozed 4 oaks. I realize I cannot design for the worst but I certainly would design above IBC 09 minimums. call me ridiculous but I am also considering cable anchor system that I can deploy/attach if the time is right. In most cases in the alley, you get at least 10min of warning that something bad is coming. Whether cables could truly save a structure is yet to be determined I guess.
Safe room will certainly be a below ground concrete vault. I personally hope I never need it but I assure you, once you see one, that structural part is always in the back of your mind.
I am still trying to learn a bit more about how tornados level buildings. It might be that all is pointless. I know the extreme low pressure cell inside can explode a home which makes me wondering about leaving a door open or something. Greensburg KS has some pretty innovative structures there after being leveled years ago.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
The roof is blown or sucked off. Then the air pressure blows or sucks the walls in or out. With a tornado or hurricane you will both positive and negative pressures.
Common thinking today is to make the building air tight. If it survives roof or window blow out - then it might not over pressurize and explode.
OR - if you opened ALL the windows and doors you MIGHT equalize the pressure and be OK.. However, the inside would be a shambles with water damage everywhere!!
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
There are days when I wake up feeling like the dumbest man on the planet, then there are days when I confirm it.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
What state are you located in?
If it is an exempted building, I might be able to assist in the design. However, I am a building designer. If you are in a state that exempts SFRs under both architect and engineer's law. I could possibly work out the calcs.
However, I am in Oregon so exemption exists in both architect law or engineer law so I don't have to have an engineer's license to design houses and run the structural calcs if it is within my area of competence. This does not mean, I go around calling myself an engineer. (I'll double check what this forum is categorizing me...)
I have various manuals that depicts much of how to engineer posts, beams, pole and other timber structures.
If needed, an S.E. can be brought on board.
Your area of expertise is in aerospace and that would be a very different field and your area of expertise would only be best applicable in determining aerodynamics of the building and how it might perform under extreme winds. However, we aren't trying to make the house fly.... LOL!
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
I would consider possibly a lamella roof.
Also, a low profile that doesn't allow for wind uplift and if any roof uplift begins, that there is a lot of anchor to prevent uplift force. Lack of roof overhang (or that it continues to the ground and not allow there to be a lip in the roof to lift the roof. Not having it project above the ground plain would be important. However, I would be concern about flood plains so ideally such would not be in a flood plain area or subject to floods.
BUILDING DESIGNER - NOT A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
Simpson and USP make great truss connectors - use them ALWAYS!!
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
There is no guarantee but there are things you can do to increase your chances.
the cable anchoring system is an interesting idea though getting these adequately anchored into the ground would be the difficult part.
RE: Structural data for wood in wood frame building
with Poles, special connectors maybe required but for trusses, they shall be engineered and have the appropriate connectors. I am not sure if Simpson connectors are rated for eF3 or eF4 or even ef5 class tornados. They use the eF system nowadays. or EF (whatever).
The bottom line, we are talking about piles or something like that.
Piles that are linked by a grade-beam that also serves as pile caps. If you prevent the roof from being pulled up, you might also be able to prevent the poles from being pulled up (if they are inside.
BUILDING DESIGNER - NOT A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER