Wood column design - general

[HeavyCivil]

I dont do too much wood design but find the need occasionally. I have typically guessed an initial rectangular column size with le/d < 50 , applied applicable adjustment factors and calculated Cp , column stability factor. In trying to become more efficient I have found some tables published by AWC / AFPA (googled it). Never seen these tables in the NDS, but IMO the NDS is organized in a strange way and maybe I missed it (working out of 2005).

I'm wondering if other designers do the calculation out, use the tables I referenced (or others), use software?

I am also somewhat unsure of how to account for any eccentricity as well, and for Pdelta effect or other important things for elements of LFRS. It should be noted that most columns I do are for decks, small pole-barn style generator enclosures, etc.

 

[frv]

I've done both hand calcs and used software..

a word of caution on software.. not all programs account for all adjustment factors (for example, Enercalc, if I'm not mistaken, only accounts for load duration).. this is usually OK, since most other factors tend to default to unity, but it's still something you should have in the back of your mind.

As far as eccentricity, just use the reaction from the beams framing in and determine the eccentricity (cl of column to edge of column plus 1/2 to 3/4 of the bearing on the hanger.. if your column has beams on both sides, apply dead load to both sides and live load to the controlling side

 

[Lion06]

I use Woodworks. I did probably 8-10 by hand to verify the program when I first started using it, and still do them by hand to verify if something doesn't look right.