Maximizing Strength and Efficiency of Tension, Compression, and Flexural Members

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About this event

Structural engineers often face significant challenges when designing with wood elements. This is primarily because wood is a natural material, and its properties vary significantly. For instance, the strength of wood can change depending on the tree species it came from, how it was cut, and importantly the direction of the grain.

In terms of specific design challenges, tension members (parts of the structure that are pulled apart), compression members (parts that are pushed together), and flexural members (parts that bend) all behave differently when made from wood.

Tension members must be carefully designed to avoid splitting the wood, while compression members must be thick enough to prevent buckling. On the other hand, flexural members have to balance being flexible enough to bend without breaking but rigid enough to support loads.

Coupled with the challenge of ensuring access to available wood types in your project region, all these factors make wood element design a complex task for structural engineers.

Additionally, building codes and regulations in the U.S. are stringent regarding wood design, with specific requirements for load-bearing capacities, fire resistance, and more. Compliance with these codes is crucial, adding another layer of complexity to wood element design. Structural engineers in the United States often refer to resources like the American Wood Council's publications and the International Building Code (IBC), which provide detailed guidelines for designing safe and durable wood structures.

Join Dr. Mustafa Mahamid, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois, on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, from 1 pm to 2.15 pm Eastern Time (ET) to learn more about the art and science of wood element design in structural engineering. We will showcase how ClearCalcs and Access Engineering provide the essential tools to design wood elements effectively.

Whether you're a seasoned engineer looking to expand your expertise or a young engineer preparing for the PE exam, this webinar will equip you with invaluable skills and insights.

All registered attendees will receive a recording of the webinar after the event.

In this webinar, we will cover:

• Overview of wood element design (tension members, compression members, flexural members) and common applications in residential and light commercial buildings.
• Step-by-step procedure for tension members, compression members, and flexural members.
• Worked examples on tension members, compression members, and flexural members.