Detailing For Wood Shrinkage

Presented to:

2014 Oregon Wood Solutions Fair

Presented by:

Doug Steimle | Schaefer

Disclaimer: This presentation was developed by a third party and is not funded by WoodWorks or
the Softwood Lumber Board.

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Course Description
For condominiums, apartments, hotels and dormitories, multi-
story wood construction is viewed by many as a way to achieve
higher density at lower cost, while reducing the project s carbon
footprint. One of the challenges, in designing these taller
buildings, is how to calculate and address wood shrinkage, which
occurs as the wood dries from its green state to its in-service
equilibrium state. This session will examine shrinkage
associated with wall and floor design, and demonstrate how to
minimize effects of both shrinkage and differential movement
with proper detailing. The discussion will include how to prevent
shrinkage induced construction issues such as drywall cracking,
window frame wracking, and compromised plumbing lines.
Learning Objectives
!   Identify wood shrinkage characteristics of commonly used
dimensional and engineered wood products

!   Identify expansion/contraction characteristics of other materials in

common buildings including veneers and PVC plumbing stacks

!   Identify conditions where differential movements within a building

occur including window locations and plumbing stacks

!   Identify effective methods for limiting problems associated with

differential movements
 The Wood Products Council is This course is registered with
a Registered Provider with The AIA CES for continuing
American Institute of professional education. As
Architects Continuing such, it does not include
Education Systems (AIA/CES), content that may be deemed
Provider #G516. 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,
Credit(s) earned on completion or dealing in any material or
of this course will be reported product.
to AIA CES for AIA members. __________________________________________
Certificates of Completion for _
both AIA members and non-AIA Questions related to specific materials,
members are available upon methods, and services will be addressed
at the conclusion of this presentation."
request."


Condominiums
Apartments
Hotels
Student Housing
Low Income Housing
Mixed Use
The Banks
Why Design With Wood Framing?
!   Economical

!   Availability of material

!   It s Green

!   Familiarity of owners, contractors and end users

!   Speed of construction

!   Future modifications can be made with relative ease

POLL QUESTION #1
•  True or False:
•  The root cause of the majority of shrinkage within a wood
building is due to compression/crushing of the wood members
as a result of the applied combination of dead and live loads.
False:
The compression of a properly engineered and constructed wood
structure should be relatively minimal. The majority of
shrinkage in a wood structure is due to a loss of moisture content
in the wood members.
Understanding Wood Shrinkage
•  Why does wood shrink?

!   Trees are living organisms, needing water to stay alive

!   A large component of wood is moisture

!   Most green wood has a moisture content equal to 30% of

its weight
Understanding Wood Shrinkage
•  What happens when wood loses moisture content?

!   Wood shrinks

!   This is the main reason why wood warps, checks, cups, etc.
Characteristics of Wood
 Wood shrinks most in the
radial and tangential
directions. Very little
shrinkage occurs in the
longitudinal direction.

Characteristics of Wood
Characteristics of Wood
Characteristics of Wood
Amount of Shrinkage for 30% Change in MC

Radial 4-5%

Tangential 7-8%

Longitudinal 0.1-0.2%

•  30% change in moisture content is

the maximum moisture change
possible. This is from green (30%
MC) to no moisture (0% MC).
Characteristics of Wood
•  Moisture Content

!   The amount of shrinkage experienced by a wood member is

dependent upon the change in moisture content

!   Kiln dried lumber – typically 19% or lower moisture content

!   The drier the member is when installed, the less moisture will
be lost in a finished structure and the less the member will
shrink
Characteristics of Wood
Code Required Shrinkage Calculation
•  IBC 2304.3.3 Shrinkage. Wood walls and bearing partitions
shall not support more than two floors and a roof unless an
analysis satisfactory to the building official shows that
shrinkage of the wood framing will not have adverse effects
on the structure or any plumbing, electrical or mechanical
systems, or other equipment installed therein due to
excessive shrinkage or differential movements caused by
shrinkage…
Sample Shrinkage
Calculation for Typical
Story

Typical Components

!  (1) 2x Sill Plate

!  Stud

!  (2) 2x Top Plate

!  2x12 Joist

!  ¦ Floor Sheathing
Sample Shrinkage Calculation for
Typical Story
•  Spruce Pine Fir 2x4 Plate (Sill or Top Plate)

!   Shrinkage perpendicular to grain affects change in height

!   Direction of grain in a member is dependent upon how it is milled

!   Therefore, take the average between tangential and radial shrinkage

for shrinkage calculation (6% average)

!   Assume initial moisture content to be 16%, final moisture content to be

10%
Sample Shrinkage Calculation for
Typical Story
•  Spruce Pine Fir 2x4 Plate (Sill or Top Plate)
Average Amount of Shrinkage for 30% Change in MC

Radial 4-5%

Tangential 7-8%

Average for Shrinkage Perpendicular to Grain 6%

Ỏh2x4sill = (1.5 )(0.06)(6/30) Change in MC (16% to

10%)/30%
Ỏh2x4sill = 0.018
Sample Shrinkage Calculation for
Typical Story
•  Spruce Pine Fir 2x4x9 -0 Tall Stud
Average Amount of Shrinkage for 30% Change
in MC
Parallel to Grain 0.15%

Ỏh2x4stud = (108 )(0.0015)(6/30)

Change in MC (16% to
Ỏh2x4stud = 0.032 10%)/30%
Sample Shrinkage Calculation for
Typical Story
•  Southern Yellow Pine 2x12 Joist
Average Amount of Shrinkage for 30% Change
in MC
Radial 4-5%
Tangential 7-8%
Average for Perpendicular to
6%
Grain
Ỏh2x12 joist = (11.25 )(0.06%)(6/30)Ỏh2x12 joist = Change in MC (16% to
0.135 10%)/30%
Sample Shrinkage Calculation for
Typical Story
•  ¦ Tongue and Groove OSB Floor Sheathing#
Exposure 1

!   Floor sheathing can swell up to 25% of its thickness during

construction depending on the amount of moisture during
construction (0.188 for ¦ sheathing)

!   No published testing performed by APA regarding how much

the product shrinks after the product swells and a load is
placed on the sheathing (below a bearing wall)
Sample Shrinkage Calculation for
Typical Story
•  ¦ Tongue and Groove OSB Floor Sheathing#
Exposure 1

!   APA help desk indicated to estimate a 50% reduction in

swell thickness after drying and loading

•  Ỏh floor sheathing = (0.75 )(0.25)(1/2)

•  Ỏh floor sheathing = 0.094

Sample Shrinkage
Calculation for Typical
Story
¦ Tongue and Groove OSB Floor
Sheathing - Exposure 1

Swelling of floor sheathing is very real.
The shrinkage can also be assumed to be
very real as well.
 ¦ Tongue and
Groove OSB Floor
Sheathing

Sample Shrinkage Calculation for Typical Story

 ¦ Tongue and
Groove OSB Floor
Sheathing

Sample Shrinkage Calculation for Typical Story

Sample Shrinkage
Calculation for
Typical Story
Three 2x4 Plates 0.054
One 9 -0 Stud 0.032

One 2x12 Joist 0.135

Floor Sheathing 0.094
Total Shrinkage Per Story 0.315
 Consider revising
calculation based on
conditions
experienced while at
the site

Sample Shrinkage Calculation for Typical Story

Shrinkage of Engineered Wood
•  Engineered wood, most commonly LVL s, LSL s, and PSL s,
have very low moisture content when they leave the plant. The
potential for shrinkage is low similar to OSB. However, they do
have the potential to swell like OSB.

!   These products are likely to swell less than OSB though since
they are not likely to have snow, ice and water sitting on them
like floor sheathing.

!   These products can be utilized to help minimize total building

shrinkage
POLL QUESTION #2
•  True or False:
•  In a multi-story wood framed building, the majority of
problems associated with wood shrinkage are observed at the
lowest level of the building.
False:
The shrinkage of a building is cumulative, the total shrinkage in a
building increases the higher the structure extends.
Discussion
•  Where does shrinkage become a problem in the field?
Window Problems
•  When a brick veneer is used in combination with a wood
structure, problems often follow.

!   Windows are typically fastened to the wood structure.

!   The windows move as the wood structure moves.

!   What happens when the windows move down and the

veneer is moving up?
Window Problems
Properties of Brick
•  Brick is a clay product and can change size dependent upon
temperature and moisture content. Brick arrives at the site
with the lowest moisture content it will ever have.

!   Thermal expansion can be as much as 0.028 for 11 height of

brick

!   Moisture expansion of brick can be as much as 0.040 for 11

height of brick

!   Estimated total expansion of brick per story is 0.068

Window Problems
•  Window Sill

!   Accommodations need to be made to allow for the

differential movement. Otherwise, window will have
operational difficulties.

!   Remember that caulk is typically only 50% compressible.

Window Sill

Window Problems
Window Sill

Window Problems
Window Sill

Window Problems
 Window Sill

Window Problems
 Dimension
needs to be two
times estimated
shrinkage

Window Problems
 Joint is expanding
(widening)

Window Problems
Moving Down
Moving Up

Shear
cracking in
caulk joint

Window Problems
Window Head and Jambs
This is the
second story of
a residence, the
caulk joint has
failed in both
the jamb and
head conditions

Window Problems
 Window Jamb

Window Problems
Window Problems
Window Problems
Solutions to Window Problems
•  Window Head and Jambs

!   The caulk joint needs to be designed for the potential differential

movement or the caulk will fail. The caulk joints tend to fail on higher
stories where differential movement is larger.

!   Consider specifying timeline for when to install caulk. The later the
caulk joint is installed, the closer the building will be to its final
moisture content and height.

!   Contractor may not be able to delay the caulk joint as it may prevent
the ability to dry-in the building.
Solutions to Window Problems
•  Window Head and Jambs

!   Inform owner of potential problems with these joints.

Maintenance should be expected on these joints due to
differential movement.
Code Take on Window Problems
•  Building Code Empirical Limits for Masonry Veneer Height

•  Addressed in Chapter 21 of IBC which refers to Chapter 6 of ACI 530/

ASCE 5/TMS402

!   Prescriptive height limitations of anchored veneer with wood backup

is 30 feet at height of plate and 38 feet at a gable.

!   Limits differential movement between wood structure and anchored

veneer

!   Limits brick stresses

!   Limits anchor stresses

Code Take on Window Problems
•  Building Code Empirical Limits for Masonry Veneer Height"
Addressed in Chapter 21 of IBC which refers to Chapter 6 of
ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS402

!   Anchored veneer can be engineered to exceed the prescriptive

height limitations.

!   The primary concern with exceeding the prescriptive limits is

in regards to detailing for the differential movement between
the wood structure and the masonry veneer.
Building Skin Problems
•  Siding/Hardi-plank/plaster located over anchored brick
veneer

!   Often used by architect to change look of outside of building.

!   Has similar potential problems as at window sills

!   An expansion joint is required above the veneer and below the

hardi-plank or stucco to avoid problems with the hardi-plank
or stucco
Building Skin Problems
Building Skin Problems
Building Skin Problems
Thin Set Veneer Problems
!   Thin set veneers are adhered directly to the exterior
sheathing.

!   When the wood structure experiences shrinkage, the

veneer moves with the wood.

!   Check with the manufacturer for how much movement the

thin set veneer can handle and the potential need for
expansion/control joints.
 Thin Brick over
Thin Set Veneer Anchored Veneer

Anchored Veneer

Other Common Problems

 Here is the result

Thin Set Veneer

Other Common Problems

Plumbing Stack
Problems
What problems occur when the plumbing
stacks travel vertically from the slab on
grade through the roof?
Plumbing Stack
Problems
The horizontal tees that drain into
the plumbing stacks typically travel
through holes in the stud wall. If the
holes are too big, there may be a
structural problem with the stud. If
the holes are too small, the plumbing
tees may shear off as the wood
structure shrinks and the plumbing
stack does not go down.
Plumbing Stack Problems
!   Another potential contributing factor to possible problems
with plumbing stacks is in the thermal expansion of the
plumbing stack itself.

!   Consider when plumbing stacks are installed on a project.

If it is very cold outside and the building is not enclosed or
heated, the plumbing will be very cold when installed as
well.
Plumbing Stack Problems
•  Assume we have a PVC plumbing stack.

!   If the plumbing is installed in 20 degree weather and the final temperature of the
building is 70 degrees, then there is a 50 degree Fahrenheit change in temperature

!   Resulting increase in the height of a plumbing stack = 0.19 per 11 foot height.

!   The same increase in temperature would result in a 0.02 increase in height of the
wood structure.

!   This movement acts in the opposite direction as the wood shrinkage and exacerbates
potential plumbing tee problems.
Plumbing Stack Solutions
•  Incorporate differential vertical movement into the design of the plumbing
system.

!   Vertical expansion joints

!   Require gap around horizontal plumbing runs

!   Avoid horizontal plumbing runs in structural studs

!   Inform the plumbing engineer

Masonry Stair or Elevator Tower
Problems
•  CMU stair and elevator towers shrink very little compared
to the wood structure."
Similar issues can present themselves when steel framing
is introduced in a wood structure.

!   Floor framing parallel to and adjacent to the CMU tower

will shrink with the wood structure.

!   Result is a sloped floor in the first joist space adjacent to the

CMU tower.

!   This slope increases as the floor framing then deflects mid-

span.
 s l o p e
will
Floor

Masonry Stair or Elevator Tower

Problems
Masonry Stair or Elevator Tower
Recommendation
•  This is a problem that does not have a great solution.

!   Inform owner/construction manager of issue to manage

expectations.

!   Minimize span of members framed parallel to CMU walls.

!   Minimize amount of shrinkage in building.

Ways to Reduce Shrinkage
!   Floor Trusses

!   Swell Resistant Sheathing

!   Protected Wood
During Construction
•  Construction Observation Recommendations

!   Make sure the mason is aware of the amount of space

required between the brick sill and the window sill

!   Check the dimension between the window sill and the masonry
sill

!   Check the size of holes for plumbing penetrations made

through vertical studs to ensure there is some ability to allow
for differential movement
During Construction
•  Construction Observation Recommendations

!   Specify that all lumber be protected from weather prior to installation

!   Make sure Structural Engineer gives you anticipated shrinkage

movements per floor for window detailing purposes

!   Be willing to take extra measures during wet seasons

 Window Sill

Window Solutions
Shrinkage Summary
•  Anticipated Shrinkage Per Story Shrinkage Reducing
Recommendations
Three 2x4 Plates 0.054

One 9 -0 Stud 0.032

One Floor Truss 0.036

Floor Sheathing 0.020

Total Shrinkage Per Story 0.142

Shrinkage Summary
•  Anticipated Differential Movement at Windows With
Shrinkage Reducing Recommendations
Three 2x4 Plates 0.054
One 9 -0 Stud 0.032
One Floor Truss 0.036
Floor Sheathing 0.020
Brick Expansion 0.068

Total Differential Movement at Windows Per Story 0.210

Shrinkage Summary
•  Anticipated Differential Movement at Plumbing Stacks
With Shrinkage Reducing Recommendations
Three 2x4 Plates 0.054
One 9 -0 Stud 0.032
One Floor Truss 0.036
Floor Sheathing 0.020
PVC Plumbing Thermal Expansion (If installed at 20ºF) 0.165

Total Differential Movement at Plumbing Stacks Per Story 0.307

 This concludes The American
Institute of Architects Continuing
Education Systems Course"
"
Questions?
Doug Steimle
doug.steimle@schaefer-
inc.com
schaefer-inc.com