Library builder

Different forces affect buildings in the various parts of the country. Builders have to worry about earthquakes in California, high winds in Florida, and snow loads in Colorado. It’s easier to understand the architect’s or engineer’s plans if you are aware of these factors. The following maps give you an idea of some of the […]

Conventional and nonconventional codes regulate the strength needed in the walls, floors, roofs, and connections to resist the forces on buildings. The conventional code describes a prescriptive standard to resist the forces. The standard applies to simple buildings using common construction methods. The nonconventional code is a performance-rated system and provides non-prescriptive engineeringguidelines that can […]

Buildings are naturally affected by the forces of nature, and also by artificial forces. Elements such as gravity, wind, snow, earthquakes, retained soil, water, impact by an object, and mudslides can all have negative effects on a building. This chapter will give you a basic understanding of the forces that affect buildings, and some helpful […]

Metal plate-connected (MPC) wood trusses were first used in the early 1950s. Today they are used in more than 75% of all new residential roofs. Basically they are dimension lumber engineered and connected with metal plates. Less expensive than alternative roof systems, these trusses can also span longer distances. The “Pitched Truss Parts" illustration shows […]

• For glu-lam beams that are installed at a pitch and need to have the bottom cut to be level, make sure that the end of the bottom cut closest to the bearing edge receives full bearing. (See “Cut Edge Full Beaning" illustration.) • Ends of beams should not be notched unless approved by the […]

I-Joists I-joists were introduced in 1968 by the Trus Joist Corporation. Although use of this product has grown rapidly over the years, there is still no industry standard for its manufacture and installation. And while the Engineered Wood Association (APA) has established a standard for its members, not all manufacturers are members of APA. Because […]

Engineered wood products have been around for years, particularly in the form of plywood, glu-lam beams, and metal-plate-connected wood trusses. I-joists are more recent, as are LVLs (laminated veneer lumber), PSLs (parallel strand lumber), and LSLs (laminated strand lumber). It is not the intent of this chapter to explain everything there is to know about […]

Rafter or truss layout, like floor joist layout, is relatively easy compared with wall layout. Sometimes it is helpful to lay out for rafters or trusses on the top of the double plate so that once the wall is standing, the layout will already be done, and you won’t have to do it from a […]

Some items can be attended to while you are performing the layout. One is to cut a kerf in the bottom of the bottom plate at door thresholds when they are sitting on concrete. This kerf (about half the thickness of the plate) allows you to cut out your bottom plate after the walls are […]

Use the Correct Order When you perform the layout, follow a prioritized order. For example, trimmer and king studs for doors and windows take priority over studs. That is because if a stud falls on the location of a trimmer or king stud, then the stud is eliminated. Using a certain order for layout also […]