“The Wood Products Council” is a Registered Provider with The
American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems
National Design Specification
for Wood Construction
Presented by:
Michelle Kam-Biron, PE, SE
Director, Education
Copyright Materials
This presentation is protected by US and
International Copyright laws. Reproduction,
distribution, display and use of the presentation
without written permission of the speaker is
prohibited.
© American Wood Council 2012
(AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be
reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for
both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed
or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any
material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be
addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this program, participants will be knowledgeable of:
1. Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and how it
applies to wood structural design.
2. Similarities and differences with respect to ASD, design
values, and behavioral equations.
3. Format and content within the 2005 NDS.
4. Changes in the 2012 NDS and Supplement relative to
previous editions.
1
Outline NDS History 1991

• Overview 1944 1973

• LRFD Primer 1997
• Chapter-by-chapter discussion
– Changes from previous editions
1962 1977
• Summary 2001

– More information

1968 1982 2005

2012
1971 1986

IBC 2006
NDS History
• SECTION 2305 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR
LATERAL-FORCE-RESISTING SYSTEMS
2305.1 General. Structures using wood shear walls and
diaphragms to resist wind, seismic and other lateral loads shall
be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions
of this section. Alternatively, compliance with the AF&PA
SDPWS shall be permitted subject to the limitations therein
and the limitations of this code.

• SECTION 2306 ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN

2306.1 Allowable stress design. The structural analysis and
construction of wood elements in structures using allowable
stress design shall be in accordance with the following
applicable standards:
American Forest & Paper Association.
NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction

• 2307.1 Load and resistance factor design.

The structural analysis and construction of wood elements and
structures using load and resistance factor design shall be in
accordance with AF&PA NDS.

2
 NDS and Supplement Governing Codes for Engineered Wood Design

• 2005 SDPWS (Special Design Provisions

2005 for Wind and Seismic)
• 16 Chapters – http://www.awc.org/Standards/SDPWS.
• 14 Appendices html
– Free download

Future for Engineered Wood Design IBC 2009

• 2009 IBC
• SECTION 2305 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR LATERAL-
FORCE-RESISTING SYSTEMS
2305.1 General. Structures using wood shear walls and diaphragms to resist
(International wind, seismic and other lateral loads shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the provisions of this section. Alternatively, compliance with the

Building Code) AF&PA SDPWS shall be permitted subject to the limitations therein and the
limitations of this code. and the provisions of Sections 2305, 2306 and 2307.
• SECTION 2306 ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN
2306.1 Allowable stress design. The structural analysis and construction of wood
elements in structures using allowable stress design shall be in accordance with
the following applicable standards:
American Forest & Paper Association.
NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction
SDPWS Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic
• 2307.1 Load and resistance factor design. The structural analysis and
construction of wood elements and structures using load and resistance factor
design shall be in accordance with AF&PA NDS and AF&PA SDPWS.

3
 NDS and Supplement
Engineered Wood Design

• 2008 SDPWS (Special Design Provisions

2005 for Wind and Seismic) mandatory
• 16 Chapters
– http://www.awc.org/pdf/2008WindSeis
• 14 Appendices
mic.pdf
– Free download

IBC 2009
NDS 2012 Approval
• SECTION 2305 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR LATERAL-
• ANSI approval FORCE-RESISTING SYSTEMS
2305.1 General. Structures using wood – frame shear walls and or wood –
– August 15, 2011 frame diaphragms to resist wind, seismic and or other lateral loads shall be
• 2012 IBC Reference designed and constructed in accordance with AF&PA SDPWS and the
applicable provisions of Sections 2305, 2306 and 2307.

• SECTION 2306 ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN

2306.1 Allowable stress design. The design structural analysis and construction
of wood elements in structures using allowable stress design shall be in
accordance with the following applicable standards:
American Forest & Paper Association.
NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction SDPWS Special
Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic
• 2307.1 Load and resistance factor design. The structural analysis design and
construction of wood elements and structures using load and resistance factor
design shall be in accordance with AF&PA NDS and AF&PA SDPWS.

4
Engineered Wood Design NDS and Supplement
• 2008 SDPWS (Special Design Provisions
for Wind and Seismic) mandatory
– http://www.awc.org/pdf/2008WindSeis
mic.pdf
– Free download

2005 2012
• 16 Chapters • 16 Chapters
• 14 Appendices • 14 Appendices

NDS & SDPWS Engineered Wood Design

• Publications Updates/Errata
• Comprehensive List
– http://awc.org/publications/update/index.html
– Free download

2005 NDS & SDPWS 2012 NDS & 2008 SDPWS

5
Outline Design Process
• Overview
• LRFD Primer
• Chapter-by-chapter discussion
– Changes from previous editions
• Summary
– More information

Demand  Capacity

Design Process Design Concepts

Load Two Limit State concerns:

Support Conditions Demand
Geometry • safety against failure or
Materials collapse
Capacity
Performance
Fire • Serviceability
Economics (performance in service)
Aesthetics
….

6
Serviceability LRFD - Safety

• Unfactored loads • Factored loads

• Mean (avg) material • Material strength
strength values values - modified

Property Variability Engineered Wood Design

Normal Distribution Curves x
x = mean x x

x = standard deviation SCL

x
Relative Frequency

COVx =
x I-Joist
Coefficient of variation
Glulam S>R
Failure
Load MSR Lumber
Visually Graded
Lumber

Material Property Values

7
Statistical Model Probability of Failure
Normal Distribution Curves for Safety Function, Z
Pf = one failure expected  Pf
fZ = fR - fS for x number of 5.2 1 : 10,000,000
structures designed 4.7 1 : 1,000,000
m Z = mR - m S and built with a given  4.2 1 : 100,000
3.7 1 : 10,000
 z   R2   S2 Ex.  = 2.7 represents 1 failure for 3.2 1 : 1,000
every 100 structures or 2.7 1 : 100
Safety (or reliability ) members designed.
2.2 1 : 10
Index

mz Probability of
 failure of
z structure

Performance Distribution (Z)

LRFD - Range on  LRFD Design Equation

Structural Design
 Range for Strength Various Materials Demand  Capacity
n
  Q    Rn
Low Typical High
 2.4 2.6 2.9 i=1

Pf 1 : 25 1 : 63 1 : 251 

 = Load Factor
 = Reliability Index
 = time effect factor (replaces LDF)

8
Allowable Stress Design LRFD vs. ASD
• What stays the same? • Three new notations - , , and KF
• Same basic equation format • Design loads (factored) for safety
• Same adjustment factors are bigger
• Same behavioral equations • Design loads (unfactored) for
serviceability are the same
• Material resistance values
are bigger
• Load Duration Factor changes
to Time Effect Factor

LRFD vs. ASD LRFD vs. ASD

ASD LRFD Member performance

applied stress  allowable stress factored load  factored resistance factor
Theoretical safety
margin applied to Load factors to
material stresses account for
variations in loads

Estimated
loads
Design
Load
 Adjusted
Resistance
Tested
material
Estimated
loads
Factored
Design
 Factored
Design
Tested
member
strength Load Resistance resistance

Design values Design values

9
2012 NDS 2012 NDS
 tied to ASCE 7 Factored Loads: Baseline 10 minutes (ASD
uses 10 years)

Factored Load Combinations ASCE 7-10

Permanent

Long term

Short term

2012 NDS NDS 2012 LRFD Specification

Format Conversion Factor KF:

RN = RASD
ASD

LRFD
Reliability indices or data confidence factors
RN = KF RASD
RASD reference
strengths

10
2012 NDS Why use LRFD?
• Ease of designing with
multiple materials
• Does not penalize material
strength for unknowns on
loads
• Realize efficiencies with
– multiple transient live loads
– extreme event loads
• ASD load combinations have
RN = KF RASD not been maintained in
deference to LRFD load
KF converts reference design values (ASD normal load combinations
duration) to LRFD reference resistance

Outline NDS 2012 Chapters

• Overview 1. General Requirements for Building
Design
• LRFD Primer 2. Design Values for Structural Members
3. Design Provisions and Equations
• Chapter-by-chapter discussion 4. Sawn Lumber
– Changes from previous editions 5. Structural Glued Laminated Timber
6. Round Timber Poles and Piles
• Summary 7. Prefabricated Wood I-Joists
– More information 8. Structural Composite Lumber
9. Wood Structural Panels
10. Mechanical Connections
11. Dowel-Type Fasteners
12. Split Ring and Shear Plate Connectors
13. Timber Rivets
14. Shear Walls and Diaphragms
15. Special Loading Conditions
16. Fire Design of Wood Members
Commentary!!!

11
NDS 2012 Supplement NDS 2012 Appendices
A. Construction and Design Practices
B. Load Duration (ASD Only)
C. Temperature Effects
D. Lateral Stability of Beams
E. Local Stresses in Fastener Groups
1 Sawn Lumber Grading Agencies F. Design for Creep and Critical Deflection
Applications
2 Species Combinations G. Effective Column Length
3 Section Properties H. Lateral Stability of Columns
4 Reference Design Values I. Yield Limit Equations for Connections
- Lumber and Timber J. Solution of Hankinson Equation
K. Typical Dimensions for Split Ring and Shear
- Non-North American Sawn Lumber Plate Connectors
- Structural Glued Laminated Timber L. Typical Dimensions for Standard Hex Bolts,
- MSR and MEL Hex Lag Screws, Wood Screws, Common,
Box, and Sinker Nails
M. Manufacturing Tolerances for Rivets and Steel
Side Plates for Timber Rivet Connections
N. Appendix for Load and Resistance Factor
Design (LRFD) – Mandatory

NDS – Chapter 1 Chapter 1 - Terminology

fb ≤ Fb'

Reference design values (Fb, Ft, Fv, Fc, Fc, E, Emin)

Adjusted design values (Fb', Ft', Fv', Fc', Fc', E', Emin')
Allowable (changed in the 2005)

12
Chapter 1 – Design Loads NDS – Chapter 2
• Reference loads
• Minimum load standards
ASCE 7 – 10

Chapter 2 – Adjustment Factors Chapter 2 – Adjustment Factors

• Adjusts from reference to site conditions • Adjust from reference conditions
– CD,  time-dependent KF LRFD format conversion factor
– CM wet service  LRFD resistance factor
– Ct temperature

Revised

13
Chapter 2 – Adjustment Factors Wet Service Conditions
• Wet Service Factor, CM 30

25

Wood EMC %
20
Temp 30 deg F
15 Temp 70 deg F
Temp 130 deg F
10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Relative Humidity %

Wet Service Conditions Wet Service Factor, CM

• NDS Supplement for lumber
%Strength at 12% Moisture Content

110

100

90
Impact Strength
80 Modulus of Elasticity
70 Modulus of Rupture
Crushing Strength
60

50

40
12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Moisture Content of Wood (%)

14
 NDS – Chapter 3 Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations

• ASD vs LRFD – adjusted stresses from reference

ASD F′n = Fn CD x adjustment factors

LRFD F′n = Fn KF n  x adjustment factors

Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations

• Beams • Beams
– FbE Equivalence
– CL beam stability
1.20E'min K bEE'
FbE  
R b2 R b2
2012/2005 2001
NDS NDS
- Emin adjusted for safety for both ASD and LRFD processes
- RB = Slenderness Ratio

Critical Buckling Design Value

for bending members

15
Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations
• Columns • Columns
– CP column stability – FcE equivalence
0.822E'min K cEE'
FcE  2
 2
 le   le 
   
d d
2012/2005 2001
NDS NDS

Critical Buckling Design Value

for compression members

Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations

• Tension members (tension parallel to grain)
Emin  1.03E(1  1.645(COVE )) / 1.66
E = reference MOE
1.03 = adjustment factor to convert E to a pure bending ASD F′t = Ft CD x adjustment factors
basis (shear-free) (use 1.05 for glulam)
1.66 = factor of safety
COVE = coefficient of variation in MOE (NDS Appendix F)

OR LRFD F′t = Ft KF t  x adjustment factors

Emin values published in NDS Supplement

16
Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations
• Wood and tension perpendicular to grain • Combined bi-axial bending and
– Not recommended per NDS 3.8.2 axial compression

initiators:
• notches
• moment connections
• hanging loads

Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations Chapter 3 – Behavioral Equations

• Combined bi-axial bending and • Bearing perpendicular to grain
axial compression – F′c = Fc CM Ct Ci Cb (ASD)
– F′c = Fc CM Ct Ci Cb Kf c (LRFD)

New

17
 NDS – Chapter 4 Chapter 4 – Lumber
• Design values
– Visually graded lumber
– MSR / MEL
– Timber
– Decking

Chapter 4 – Lumber Chapter 4 – Lumber

• Lumber adjustment factors • Lumber adjustment factors
– KF and  – New KF and 

18
Chapter 4 – Lumber Chapter 4 – Lumber
• Lumber adjustment factors • Lumber adjustment factors
– CF - size factor

Chapter 4 – Lumber NDS – Chapter 5

• Lumber adjustment factors
– repetitive member
– Cr = 1.15
– 2” – 4” lumber
– < 24” o.c.
– 3 or more
– Load distributing element

19
Chapter 5 – Glued Laminated Timber Chapter 5 – Glulam
• Significant changes • New adjustment factors
– New adjustment factors – Stress
• Stress interaction interaction
• Shear reduction – Shear
– Clarified or added reduction
• Curved members
• Double-tapered
• Tapered straight

Chapter 5 – Glulam Chapter 5 – Glulam

• Clarified or added • Adjustment factors
– Curved members – CV volume
– Double-tapered – Not cumulative with CL
– Tapered straight – Min (Cv, CL)

20
 NDS – Chapter 6 Chapter 6 – Poles & Piles
• Poles - post-frame
• Piles - foundations

Chapter 6 – Timber Piles Chapter 6 – Timber Poles

• Design values
– Significant changes from 2005 NDS
– Design values moved to NDS Supplement
2005 NDS

2005 NDS

2012 NDS 2012 NDS

21
Chapter 6 – Poles & Piles NDS – Chapter 7
• Adjustment factors
– Cct – condition treatment
– Cls – load sharing
– Ccs – critical section

Chapter 7 – I-joists Chapter 7 – I-Joists

• Design values • Beam stability factor
– M, V, EI, K – no changes – Braced compression flange
• Evaluation Reports • CL = 1.0

– Contain proprietary design – Unbraced compression flange

• Design as unbraced column

22
 NDS – Chapter 8 Chapter 8 – Structural Composite Lumber
• No changes from 2005 NDS
• Evaluation Reports
– Contain proprietary design

x = mean  SCL

Relative Frequency
x I-Joist
 Glulam
COVxx=
x MSR Lumber
Load Visually Graded
Lumber

Material Property Values

Chapter 8 – Structural Composite Lumber Chapter 8 – Structural Composite Lumber

• Adjustment factors • Adjustment factors
– CV – volume
• Cv < 1.0 Not cumulative with lateral stability factor, CL then min.
– Cr Repetitive Member Factor= 1.04
(Cv, CL) – Cr is different than lumber (Cr lumber = 1.15)
• Cv > 1.0 Cumulative with lateral stability factor, CL
• Applies to Fb only

23
 NDS – Chapter 9 Chapter 9 – Wood Structural Panels
• Design values – obtain from an approved source
– FbS
– FtA
– Fvtv
– Fs
– FcA
– EI
– EA
– Gvtv
– Fc

Chapter 9 – Wood Structural Panels Chapter 9 – Wood Structural Panels

• Adjustment factors • Adjustment factors
– CG - grade & construction – CM - wet service
• Removed – Ct - temperature
– Cs - panel size
• Clarified
• Moved from commentary

24
NDS – Chapter 10 Chapter 10 – Mechanical Connections
• Design issues
• Reference design values
• Chapter 11 – dowel-type connectors (nails, bolts, lag/wood screws)
• Chapter 12 – split rings and shear plates
• Chapter 13 – timber rivets
• Adjustment factors
• No significant changes
• Connections session

NDS – Chapter 11 Chapter 11 - Tabulated Values

• Consistent titles and footnotes
• Penetration assumptions in titles

25
Chapter 11 - Tabulated Values Chapter 11 - Dowel Bearing Length
• New post frame ring shank tables
Based on ASTM F1667 Fastener Type Tip Length, E
Lag Screws Appendix L
Wood Screws 2D
Nails & Spikes 2D

E, ℓs, ℓm < p – E / 2

Chapter 11 - Dowel Bearing Strength Chapter 11 - Perp to Grain Distance

• Wood Structural Panels • Glulam only

– D < ¼ – Moisture content

26
 NDS – Chapter 12 Chapter 12 – Split Rings and Shear Plates
• Geometry factor, C
– Side Grain

Chapter 12 – Split Rings and Shear Plates NDS – Chapter 13

• Geometry factor, C
– End Grain

27
Chapter 13 – Timber Rivets Chapter 13 – Timber Rivets
• Many applications

Timber Rivets – Design 2005 NDS

Chapter 13 – Timber Rivets
• Parallel to grain
• Timber rivet capacity
– Proper application of CD

28
Timber Rivets – Design 2012 NDS
Chapter 13 – Timber Rivets
• Maximum distance perpendicular to grain
between outermost rows of rivets shall be 12
– Consistent with glulam

NDS – Chapter 14 NDS – Chapter 14

29
Chapter 14 – Shear Walls and Diaphragms NDS – Chapter 15

• ANSI / AWC SDPWS

2008 standard

• Recorded Webinar
•2005/2008 SDPWS
•Diaphragm Deflection
•www.woodworks.org

Chapter 15 – Special Loading NDS – Chapter 16

• Built-up columns
– Flatwise bending check
– Consistent with Chapter 3

30
Chapter 16 – Fire Design Chapter 16 – Fire (ASD)
• Fire resistance up to two hours
• No significant changes
• Columns
• Beams
• Tension Members
• ASD only
• Products …
• Lumber
• Glulam
• SCL
• Decking

Chapter 16 – Fire (ASD) NDS – Appendices

DCA 2
Design of Fire-Resistive
Exposed Wood Members

•Limited to 1-Hour – IBC 721.6.1.1

•Simplified approach
Beams/Columns
•

31
NDS 2012 Appendices Appendix E
2012
A Construction and Design Practices
B Load Duration
• Example E.8
C Temperature Effects • Acritical check
D Lateral Stability of Beams
E Local Stresses in Fastener Groups
F Design for Creep and Critical Deflection
Applications
G Effective Column Length
H Lateral Stability of Columns
I Yield Limit Equations for Connections
J Solution of Hankinson Equation
K Typical Dimensions for Split Ring and Shear
Plate Connectors
L Typical Dimensions for Standard Hex Bolts, Hex
Lag Screws, Wood Screws, Common, Box,
and Sinker Nails
M Manufacturing Tolerances for Rivets and Steel
Side Plates for Timber Rivet Connections
N Appendix for Load and Resistance Factor
Design (LRFD)

Appendix L Appendix N

32
 NDS – Commentary
2012 NDS – Notable Changes
• Chapter 5 – Glulam
• Chapter 6 – Poles and Piles
• Chapter 12 – Split Rings &
Shear Plates
Outline
• Overview
• LRFD Primer
• Chapter-by-chapter discussion
– Changes from previous editions
• Summary
– More information
NDS 2012 Supplement
• New nominal and minimum Timber sizes per PS 20-10
• Section properties distinguish lumber, P&T, B&S
• New Coast Sitka Spruce & Yellow Cedar values
• Revised Northern Species bending and tension values
• Clarify Timber size factor adjustments
• New and revised values for several foreign species
• Revised glulam values - primary changes to shear
• New Tables 6A & 6B for Timber Poles and Piles
33
Southern Pine Design Values
• ALSC approves design values
– June 1, 2012
• AWC compiles them
– NDS Supplement
• More information
– Ww.spib.org
– www.southernpine.com
More Details
• White paper - www.awc.org
• Comprehensive table
• Section-by-section changes
• Structure Magazine
• January 2012
Wood Design Package
• Support Documents
• 2nd Quarter 2012
• Wood Design Package
• NDS + Commentary Supplement:
Design Values for
• NDS Supplement Wood Construction
• ASD/LRFD Manual MANUAL
• Print copies available then
Engineered Wood Design
• NDS Changes
– http://awc.org/pdf/2012-NDS-Changes-
Web.pdf
– Free download
34
More Details More Details
• 2008 SDPWS (Special Design Provisions
for Wind and Seismic) Changes • http://www.awc.org/technical/L
RFDStrucEng.pdf
– http://awc.org/pdf/WDF18-3_SDPWS-
08.pdf • White paper LRFD
– Free download

Questions?
This concludes The
American Institute of
Architects Continuing
Education Systems Course

www.awc.org
info@awc.org

35