Lumber

Re-evaluating the Role of Your Inventory

There is no better time to re-think how you can streamline your processes. Answers to the questions outlined here can have a dramatic effect on your bottom line.

Attachment of Residential Deck Ledger to Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Floor Systems - Educational Program

This presentation provides construction details for residential deck ledger attachment to metal plate connected wood truss floor systems.

Knowledge Is Power: Quantifying the Value of SBCRI through SP Design Value Changes

Knowledge is power when it comes to making decisions, so the more knowledge the better. SBCRI unequivocally gives us access to knowledge no one else has.

Applying BCMC

BCMC session evaluations indicated that the BCMC Committee hit a home run in choosing the topics they did. Take a few moments to catch up on what you might have missed at this year's show.

Pay Attention to the Grade Stamp

  • When a stick of lumber's dressed size is less than the minimum required dressed size, the grading agency includes the size in the grade stamp as required by PS 20.
  • Reduced dimensions can result in actual design overstress, unless the actual size is put into the lumber inventory of your software provider’s program.
  • It is incumbent on the purchaser to decide whether or not to use specially marked lumber; buyer beware if there is a downstream design issue and the grade stamp was not accounted for in the design.

A Light in the Attic

Looking for an economical way to add square footage and an alternative to decreasing spans? Read on!

You Don't Know What You Don't Know

I had an interesting conversation recently with an engineer that I have known for at least 15 years.

Design Values Matter: Make Sure You Fully Understand Why

Given that our industry is in the component design and engineering business, which is closely related to the building design business, accurate and reliable engineering is central to every CM’s future success.

Holes & Notches in Trusses

  • A repair may not be needed if, after adding the holes, visually graded lumber still meets an adequate grade according to the appropriate grading criteria.
  • The Combined Stress Index (CSI) is the summation of axial and bending stresses divided by their respective allowable stresses, which represents the structural “efficiency” of the member; the CSI shall not exceed 1.00.
  • Coordinating with trades before construction is a good way to avoid holes and notches in trusses, and the costly repairs associated with them.

Getting Better Grades

From BCMC 2012 Educational Session: “Lumber Production, Grading & Design Values Part 2: From Stick to Truss”