Wood Structure Design Fundamental

This course is designed to introduce civil engineers, architects, and students to the principles of wood structural design in Canada.
The course focuses on learning a practical design workflow based on commonly used Canadian standards and codes, including the OBC, NBCC, and CSA O86.

In this course, students will not only become familiar with the fundamental concepts of wood structural behavior, but they will also learn how to design common components of low-rise wood-frame buildings, from floor and wall systems to preliminary roof design and load transfer.

The course also aims to introduce students to the real-world practice of structural engineering in North America. For this reason, topics such as reading structural drawings, understanding framing plans, using span tables, and reviewing real design examples are also covered throughout the course.

This course is suitable for individuals who want to:

Become familiar with the wood structural design system in Canada
Bring their theoretical knowledge closer to real project applications
Gain a better understanding of the design workflow used in engineering firms
Become better prepared to enter the civil and structural engineering job market in North America

Who Is This Course For

Civil and structural engineers who are new to Canada
Architects interested in understanding wood structural systems
Recent graduates of civil engineering programs
Civil / Structural Engineering students
Site Coordinators and construction professionals with a technical background
Individuals who want to gain a more practical understanding of wood structural design

What You Will Learn

Introduction to wood structural systems in Canada
Understanding the load path in wood-frame buildings
Working with the OBC, NBCC, and CSA O86
Preliminary design of floor joists, beams, and girders
Introduction to LVL and I-Joists
Preliminary design of load-bearing walls and shear walls
Basic concepts of roof design and snow load
Reading framing plans and structural drawings
Understanding the structural design workflow in real projects

Course Outline

1. Introduction to Wood Structural Systems
Wood-frame construction in Canada
Structural load path
Introduction to the OBC, NBCC, and CSA O86

2. Structural Loads
Dead load
Live load
Snow load
Basic load combinations

3. Floor System Design
Floor joists
Beams and girders
LVL and I-Joists
Span tables and sizing

4. Wall Framing Design
Load-bearing walls
Stud walls
Headers and lintels
Introduction to shear walls

5. Roof Framing Fundamentals
Roof load transfer
Rafters and trusses
Snow load concepts

6. Structural Drawings and Practical Examples
Reading framing plans
Basic structural detailing
Residential examples