Course Summaries
Strengthening Ethical Knowledge and Professional Practices by Frank Woeste, PhD, PE
The purpose of this unit is to explore ways to address ethical responsibilities in professional engineering practice work in a jurisdiction while satisfying both the rules, practices, and professional responsibilities defined by the engineer’s licensing state and one’s professional and personal ethical standards. The instructor will demonstrate how an AI tool can be used for research to investigate differences in scope and specificity of professional responsibilities when practicing in multiple states.
ASCE 7-22 Flood Load Design Procedures by John "Buddy" Showalter, P.E.
The purpose of this unit is to determine proper evaluation of flood loads per ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-22) Supplement 2. Per ASCE 7-22 Supplement 2, the Flood Hazard Area is increased from the 100-year flood plain to the 500-year flood plain for Risk Categories II, III, and IV structures to improve the performance of structures subjected to flood events and to meet the target reliabilities of the standard. This change in approach, along with revised loading equations, is a significant departure from previous versions of ASCE 7. In addition to other updates in this supplement, the majority of Chapter 5, Flood Loads, and its commentary have been updated and reorganized.
Source: NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory
Flood Mitigation Techniques and Procedures by William Bracken, PE, CFM
This unit will introduce and discuss the primary methods in which flooding causes damage to buildings. This unit will then introduce and discuss techniques and procedures that can be implemented on new and existing buildings aimed at mitigating flood damage to include wet and dry floodproofing. Specifically, the discussion will introduce the minimum requirements found within the 2024 International Building Code® (IBC®), the IBC-referenced 2022 ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-22) and the IBC-referenced 2024 ASCE/SEI 24-24 Guidance on Structural Safety in Flood Areas. This unit will then review techniques and procedures found within FEMA’s P-936 Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings and FEMA’s Technical Bulletins addressing wet floodproofing. An overview of the key techniques along with examples to show their application will be presented.
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Dynamic Loading of Wood Floor Members: A Case Study by Scott D. Coffman, PE
Dynamic loads to floors amplify the demands on structures compared to static loads and is often neglected in design. Recent residential floor collapses have been associated with rhythmic movement of parties congregating in living and common spaces that apparently overload floor framing systems. This case study follows a method to determine and evaluate dynamic loads on wood floor systems, identify the potential of detrimental dynamic loads, and makes recommendations to reduce future collapse risks.
Photo courtesy of Scott Coffman
Wood Truss Repair by Marvin Strzyzewski, PE
Wood trusses may need repair for a variety of reasons. Trusses can be damaged upon delivery or while they get set in place. Other trades may cause damage by drilling or notching a truss member. In this program we will review the typical repair methods and discuss the materials used in the repair. Also, more complicated situations will be discussed, such as a wrong profile, trusses set end-for-end or upside down. Means and methods will be discussed, and suggestions will be provided for other items to consider when repairing a wood truss. This topic will be in conjunction with the Fastener Spacing and Pattern course.
Importance of Considering Wood Shrinkage by Scott D. Coffman, PE
Cumulative shrinkage in buildings of three or more stories can be significant and have an impact on the function and performances of finishes, openings, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) systems, and structural connections. The guidelines for designers to accommodate wood shrinkage are straightforward once understood and properly implemented. This session describes procedures for estimating wood shrinkage, interaction with other building materials, and detailing options that minimize shrinkage effects on building performance.
Photo courtesy of Scott Coffman
2024 NDS Supplement Updates, Design Values, Adjustments and Lumber Specifications
by Frank Woeste, PhD, PE
Lumber grading methods, grade marks, species and specie combinations, properties, design values, adjustment factors, safety factors, and the 2024 NDS Supplement will be reviewed. Emphasis will be placed on clearly defining and communicating lumber assumptions in construction documents to improve coordination among designers, suppliers, contractors, and inspectors.
Photo courtesy of American Wood Council. The 2024 NDS Supplement can be viewed at www.awc.org/publications/2024-nds-supplement/
ASCE 7-22 Rain Load Design Procedures by John “Buddy” Showalter, PE
The purpose of this unit is to determine proper evaluation of rain loads per ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-22). ASCE 7-22 is referenced in the 2024 International Building Code (IBC). The design storm return period for determination of hydraulic head is now to be based on risk category. Other ponding provisions are updated to be consistent with ASCE 7-22. The IBC requires roofs to be designed to sustain the load of rainwater or melting snow per the requirements of ASCE/SEI 7-22.
Image courtesy of International Code Council
Wind Mitigation Techniques and Procedures by William Bracken, PE, CFM
This unit will introduce and discuss the primary methods in which wind causes damage to buildings. This unit will then introduce and discuss techniques and procedures that can be implemented on new and existing buildings aimed at strengthening main wind force resisting systems and components and cladding to mitigate wind damage. Specifically, the discussion will introduce techniques and procedures found within the ICC-600® Standard for Residential Construction in High-Wind Regions® and provisions found within Florida’s Building Code. An overview of the key techniques along with examples to show their application will be presented.
Image courtesy of International Code Council
Fastener Spacing and Patterns by Marvin Strzyzewski, PE
This unit will provide a review of the National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction requirements for fastener spacing and will provide information about fastener patterns. Included will be a discussion on engineered screws and the recommended installation and fastener patterns for these fasteners.
NDS Multiple-bolt Connection Design by John “Buddy” Showalter, PE
This unit provides an overview of a multiple-bolt design example utilizing the American Wood Council’s 2024 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction. Topics include connection design philosophies and behavior, an overview of NDS provisions related to bolt design including local stresses in fastener groups, and a detailed design example.
Source: Rammer (US Forest Products Laboratory)
Commercial Post-Frame Buildings and Engineering by Frank Woeste, PhD, PE
Commercial post-frame applications, typical costs, typical materials, building and foundation systems, building code recognition, fire-resistance data, structural components, shear wall, and diaphragm testing data will be presented and discussed. In addition, the simplified lateral-load design method will be reviewed and sources of available design software and other design resources for engineers and building officials will be summarized.
Fit Body Boot Camp (Courtesy of Bahler Group, Remington, Indiana)
For More Information
For more specific information on course content, please contact Dr. Frank Woeste at (540) 951-0469, or e-mail: fwoeste@vt.edu.