ASDIP WOOD is a structural engineering software for design of wood members. It includes a module for Column Design based on the latest NDS provisions, which calculates the adjusted design values for the required types of stresses and shows the design ratios accordingly.
But how do you enter the information in the program? How do you check the results? How do you optimize the design in a real-life example? The following is a step-by-step sawn lumber column design example using ASDIP WOOD.
Sawn lumber column example
As an example, determine the required size of the sawn lumber column shown below. Assume dry service conditions and normal temperature range. The design loads include floor gravity loads, and lateral out-of-plane wind pressure on the narrow face as shown. Column is 9.0 ft long with ends held in position, and lateral support is provided at midspan for the weak axis.
Sawn lumber column geometry
In the Geometry tab enter the dimensions given in the statement of the problem, such as the column height = 9'-0" and the effective length factors. Note that the column is laterally supported at midspan in the weak axis, Ky = 0.5. Select Sawn Lumber as the column type and in Species Region select Southern Pine. Let's try a 2x6 section size from the database.
The At-a-Glance tab shows a summary of the results, with the most important information, for a quick overview of the design. If a deficiency is identified, it can be further investigated in the other reports which offer a more detailed information.
Specifying the material properties
In the Materials tab specify the material properties. Click on the Select from Database button to show the corresponding table of products from the manufacturer. Select No.1 Grade for this example. The program will transfer the material properties to the template.
ASDIP WOOD generates a detailed presentation of the results in the Detailed tab, showing step-by-step calculations organized by topic and load combination, with exposed formulas and references to the NDS code. This is excellent for a deep granular check of the design.
Entering the applied loads
Use the Loads tab to enter the applied loads on the column. In this case the loads are given in the statement of the problem as dead, snow, and wind loads. Specify ASD as the design method. Enter the following loads in the corresponding load case tabs.
Dead = 560 lb. Snow = 840 lb. Wind pressure = 100 plf on the narrow side.
Optimizing the design
The software calculates the adjustment factors for the different design conditions per the NDS. These factors affect the reference design values for the specified material. With this information the program calculates the design ratios for compression, bending, shear, and bearing. Finally, it calculates the interaction for the combined stresses.
Please note that the effective length is different in each direction, so the slenderness effects are calculated in both directions to find the controlling condition. In this example, the 2x6 section passes all checks with a maximum ratio of 0.46. The user can select other preferred sections easily from the database.
Takeaway
ASDIP WOOD includes the design of sawn lumber columns. This step-by-step design example shows how fast the design can be completed and optimized using ASDIP WOOD. The results are shown instantly in both text and graphics format for an immediate granular check.
For our collection of blog posts about concrete design please visit Structural Wood Design.
Detailed information is available about this structural engineering software by visiting ASDIP WOOD. You are invited to download the Free 15-day Software Trial, or go ahead and Place your Order.
Best regards,
Javier Encinas, PE
ASDIP Structural Software