Software tools ease lumber selection, specification

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\rww cot u M lJlAvt SrAcollP.coM construction project. Two software design tools can make that job easier and aid wholesalers and retailers in helping customers make the right selections.

The Western Lumber Desipn Suite and the Lunrber DesignEasy software utilities deliver information on western lumber grades, spans arnd other technicarl information with .just a few clicks. The design utilities, which work in conceft with Microsoft Excel. are available free of charge from Western Wood Products Association.

The We.stern Lumber Design Suite is a full-f'eatured design tool that provides calculations fbr horizontal fiaming (beams and joists), vertical fiaming (posts and studs), and wood-towood sheur connection:.

Calculations are available fbr the major sizes and grades of western lumber products available in the market today. All calculations follow the 2005 National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS).

The Design Srlte features three modes: Beam/Joist Design, Postistud Design, and Wood-to-Wood Single Shear Connections. The Beam/Joist mode is for horizontal framing and calculates reactions, shear, stresses, moments and def'lections based on the specified loads. Users select the design parameters and the program assigns appropriate adjustment fhctors and determines whether the specified menrber size is adequate.

Also displayed are diagrams, bendin-{ moments, horizontal shear and deflection per" the specified loads, all on one screen.

For vertical fiaming, the Post/Stud Design mode culculales compressive stress, bending stress, and combined stress ratio based on the specified loads fbr posts or studs. Users select the design parameters and the program determines whether the specified member size is adequate. Adjustment factors for load duration, size, wet use, bearing area, repetitive member, stability, incising, high temperature, column stability, flat use and form can be specified.

The Connections mode calculates the single shear capacity of a nail, bolt. wood screw or lag screw connecting two wood members. Load duration, connector penetration, and wood member end grain conditions are considered. The calculations are only for simple connections.

While created for professional engineers and designers, the Design Srrllc allows distributors to better serve their customers by providing product recommendations based on the structural requirements in the plans. Retailers using the Design Sarle can identify the right species, size and grade of western lumber for a project that they can supply from inventory.

The Lttmber DesignEasv utilities offer a quick and easy way to determine spans for Western lumber joists, rafters and beams. The Ltuttber DesignEasy-Joists utility quickly calculates simple joist and rafter spans for western lumber structural grades from 2x4 up to 3x16. Select the species and size, then enter the loading conditions, and DesignEas.v generates a table of spans for each of the appropriate structural grades for four different on-center spaclngs.

LUMBER DEALERS and wholesalers can use software design tools to help their customers select the proper grades, spans and more.

A second utility, Ltunber DesignEas,t-Beams, allows users to calculate spans for Douglas fir and hem-fir beams and headers. Spans are available for solid-sawn beams in sizes from 6x6 to 14x24.The utility also calculates spans for builrup beams constructed fiom up to four 2" dimension lumber members in widths of 4" to 18". as well as 4x4 to 4x l8 beams.

All Ltrmber DesignEasy utilities are optimized for use on portable hand-held devices or smartphones that can run mobile versions of Excel.

WWPA is also developing a Lumber DesignEosy-Joist application that will run on iPhones. The app will be available on the iTunes store this spring.

Both the Lumber Design Sttite and Ltmtber DesignEasy utilities can be downloaded at no charge from the WWPA Online Lumber Technical Guide at www.wwpa.org. Free registration is required to access the site.

Additionally, both software programs are included in the WWPA Digital Librarl-, a compact disc containing a full complement of western lumber digital publications.