Timber Frame Design

The Art of Exposed Structure

Jim DeStefano, P.E. AIA. F.SEI

Disclaimer: This presentation was developed by a third party and is not
funded by WoodWorks or the Softwood Lumber Board.
“The Wood Products Council” is a
Registered Provider with The
American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems
(AIA/CES), Provider #G516.
Credit(s) earned on completion of this
course will be reported to AIA CES for
AIA members. Certificates of
Completion for both AIA members
and non-AIA members are available
upon request.
This course is registered with AIA CES
for continuing professional education.
As such, it does not include content
that may be deemed or construed to
be an approval or endorsement by
the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or
manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any
material or product.
______________________________
Questions related to specific materials, methods,
and services will be addressed at the conclusion of
this presentation.
Course Description
There is something inherently spectacular about the look
and feel of exposed timber. It’s more than a structural
system. It’s a natural at creating architectural drama—
and is often the most practical, cost effective, and
sustainable choice for achieving that objective. This
entertaining and informative presentation will
demonstrate how timber has been used to great effect
on a variety of projects. Emphasizing the need for form to
follow function, it will cover traditional vs. contemporary
design approaches, how to select the right species and
construction type, and available timber systems.
 Learning Objectives

• Discuss the evolution of timber frame buildings with defining

features drawn from both traditional and contemporary
timber design, and apply the principals of form following
function through project examples.
• Explore architectural design considerations such as species,
construction types, products, and finishes.
• Identify the appropriate wood structural system for specific
applications such as trusses, glulam elements, mass timber,
and exterior walls, while becoming familiar with connection
options and fire-resistive design requirements.
• Study the cost and schedule variables associated with
delivering a timber frame project in the Southeastern U.S.
Modern Architecture – Form Follows Function
Post Modernism – Structure is Irrelevant
Timber Form in Architecture
Mass Timber
Mass Timber is not a
New Idea
Traditional
American
Mill Buildings
Church of the
Holy Spirit
Timber Frame Revival
Saint Patrick
Church
Winchendon School
Rockport
Concert Hall
Beaverton Public Library
Material Selection
Timber Species

Douglas Fir
White Pine
Southern Pine
Red Oak
White Oak
Alaska Yellow Cedar
Douglas Fir #1
Eastern White Pine #2
Red Oak #2
White Oak #2
Southern Yellow Pine #2
Alaska Yellow Cedar #1

Naturally decay and termite

resistant
Radio Frequency Kiln Drying

FraserWood
Glulam Timbers

• Douglas Fir
• Southern Pine
Glulam Layup
Hotchkiss Biomass Plant
Parallam - PSL
Timbers in the Round
Antique Timber
Recycled – Re-sawn Industrial Timbers
Forest Salvage - Standing Dead Wood

o Pine Bark Beetle

o Emerald Ash Borer
o Woolly Adelgid
Reclaimed – River Salvage
Sustainability
What is Green about Timber?

• Carbon Sequestration
• Low embodied energy
• Bio based
• Renewable
• Natural
Carbon
Sequestration
For every pound of wood
grown, 1.47 pounds of
carbon dioxide is
extracted from the
atmosphere and replaced
with 1.07 pounds of
oxygen
Sustainable
Forestry
Clear Cut

Even Age
Forestry
Sustainable Timber Harvest
• Wildlife Habitat
• Riparian Fringe
• Old Growth Stands
• Biodiversity
• Regeneration
Timber Fabrication & Erection
Finding a Professional www.tfguild.org
Schedule
Lead Time – Mill Order, Shop Drawings, Fabrication
Erection - Fast
Shop
Fabrication
CNC
Fabrication
Frame Erection
Topping Out
3D BIM
Delegated Design Responsibility
Structural Engineer of Record (SER)
vs
Specialty Structural Engineer (SSE)
Structural Engineer of Record –
responsible for the entire structural
frame and foundation
Specialty Structural Engineer –
responsible for the timber frame only
Mystic
Seaport
Mystic Seaport
Lamination
Shop
Building Code Issues
International Building Code
Construction Types

Type I – non-combustible
Type II – non-combustible
Type III – combustible framing
non-combustible exterior walls
Type IV – heavy timber
Type V – wood construction
Type IV Heavy Timber Construction
Exterior walls non-combustible
No concealed spaces
Columns 8x8 supporting floor & roof; 6x8 supporting
roof only
Floor beams 6x10 minimum
Roof beams 4x6 minimum
Flooring 1” T&G over 3” T&G with material laid so as to
not have continuous joints
Roof deck 2” T&G – SIPs not permitted
Portland
Jetport
Haystack
Mountain
Base Lodge
SIP Enclosure
Equestrian Buildings
Wellington, FL
Salt Shed
Design Considerations
Chamfers and Carvings
Surface Treatment
Planed and Oiled
Rough Sawn
Hewn
Adzed
Color Contrast
Lighten Up
Cross Laminated Timber -
CLT
What is CLT?
Solid wood panel
3 layers min. of solid sawn lams
90 deg. cross-lams
Similar to plywood sheathing
Common CLT layups
3-ply 3-layer

5-ply 5-layer

7-ply 7-layer
CLTs
Curvilinear Forms
CLT Art
Timber & CLT Cost
That all depends – budget $25 to $55 per SF
Nail Laminated Timber - NLT
 Building for
Hurricane Survival
Wind
Wind Damage – avoidable with engineering
CLT Shearwalls
Blast Testing of CLTs
Forest Products Laboratory
CLT Safe Room Tests
Timber Engineering
New Canaan Library
circa 1977
Saint Joseph Church
circa 1987
Saint Patrick
Church
circa 2007
Hammer
Beam Truss
Joinery
Howe Truss
Fink Truss
Scissor
Truss
Hammer Beam
Truss
Hammer Beam Truss
Westminster Hall
Cruck Frame
The Lodge at Crooked Lake
Siren, WI
The Depot
Kent, CT
3 Simple Rules
for engineering of timber joints
Rule #1

The geometry of the joint

should have mating
surfaces that allow all
structural loads to be
transferred in bearing of
one member against the
other.
Truss Heel Joint
Truss King Post Joint
Rule #2

The wood removed

to create the joint
should not unduly
weaken the member.
Rule #3

Allow for dimension changes due to

seasoning of timber. The geometry of the
joint should not be altered by shrinkage of
the wood and bearing surfaces should remain
in tight contact.
Timber Rivets
NDS

• Timber Sizing
• Bolted Connections
• Timber Rivets
www.timberframeengineeringcouncil.org
Double Shear in Peg

FV = 1365 G 0.926
PEG
G 0.778
BASE
Mystic Seaport
Design for Fire
Fire Resistance of
Mass Timber
 Comparative Fire Test

Source: Aitc
AWC -Technical Report 10
www.awc.org
Effective Char Layer Thickness

1 hour 1.8”
1 ½ hour 2.5”
2 hour 3.2”
Mass Timber
Fire Performance
• Collapse proceeded by loud
cracking and hissing noise
• Collapse proceeded by large
deflections
• Steel plate and bolt connections
fail suddenly
Protect Steel Hardware
Design for Durability
Decay and Termite Resistant Timber
1. Preservative treatment - CCA, ACQ, Penta, Borate

2. Naturally resistant species – Alaska Yellow Cedar

Design for Durability
Keep Your Feet Dry
Spruce Peak
Stowe, VT
QUESTIONS?

This concludes The American Institute of

Architects Continuing Education Systems
Course

Jim DeStefano, P.E., AIA, F.SEI

jimd@dcstructural.com