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Putting Timber Connections to the Test Testing is one of several tools for verifying compliance with the NCC, and it’s certainly the most hands-on (and the most fun). What follows is a peek behind...

Efficient Truss Design and Building Geometry As articulated by the American Architect Buckminster Fuller, “The best way to predict the future is to design it.” Building design is a blend of cost and...

In a Timber Shortage, Know Your Strengths If the current global pandemic isn’t enough for Truss & Frame fabricators to deal with, they are also faced with the uncertainty of timber supply....

UNDERSTANDING THE CERTIFIER PERSPECTIVE I have a friend of 15 years who had a long career in carpentry, building inspection and building education. He always enjoyed trying to shock me with stories...

Path to Compliance for Structural Design Software In 2012, the ABCB Software Protocol for Structural Software was introduced and sets the minimum requirements for structural design software to meet...

Considerations for the use of Nails vs Screws in your Timber Connections Nails and screws are the two most common fasteners specified by engineers and used by builders. When considering the suitable...

OFFSITE OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW ENGINEERING LEGISLATION For this month’s Tech Talk I’m zooming out from the details and looking at changes in the laws that govern who can provide technical advice and...

SHALLOW TRUSS CAMBERS DISAPPEARING INTO THE NIGHT Deflection issues, on site, from very shallow trusses raise their head on a regular basis despite many past precautionary articles on the subject....

Lateral Restraints in Pre-Fab Timber Roof Trusses Design vs Installation!    A truss is a very efficient structural member which consists of a group of ties and struts connected to form a structure...

THE BENEFITS OF SCREWS FOR TIE-DOWNS In my last Tech Talk I hinted at changes in the product landscape for tie down connections. The industry is evolving even in this period of unprecedented change...

THE MATRIX OF TRAINING Training isn’t just important to a company, it is vital. In our industry, if a detailer leaves or if business ramps up, hiring a new or replacement designer becomes a...

DRIED vs. GREEN TIMBER From day to day, most people have some contact with dried or green timber in specifying and designing timber structures. When designing with dried timber, we must use dry...

MACHINE DRIVEN vs HAND-HAMMERED NAIL Timber connection systems rely on a combination of the correct product, fasteners and installation practices to achieve their required capacity. They are...

SOME RAMIFICATIONS FROM NCC 2019 Now that NCC 2019 is out and being enforced, a couple of hidden “gems” have surfaced that FTMA members and their customers should be aware of. Unfortunately, neither...