Wood products are essential for use in applications such as residential and commercial building, pedestrian and vehicular bridges, and outdoor structures. A variety of wood products, services, and resources are available from manufacturers, computer software providers, and industry associations—all aiming to save the project time and money.

In response to a request from Structural Engineer, a number of companies provided the following information about their products. Some companies declined to participate by failing to return the questionnaire by our deadline. We apologize for inadvertent omissions. To be added to our contact list, please e-mail Jennifer Goupil, P.E., at jgoupil@zweigwhite.com.

Durastrand Flooring from Ainsworth Group of Companies is an enhanced grade, APA-rated Sturd-I-Floor guaranteed against delamination for 50 years. Durastrand Flooring reduces or eliminates the need for sanding at the jobsite, due to an enhanced edge that blocks moisture and reduces swelling. The engineered panel is rigid and strong, and lies flat with no warping or sagging. Engineered to prevent splits, cracks, and splinters, the panel is suitable for single-layer floor construction and combination subfloor/underlayment. Durastrand Flooring is available in standard sizes and thicknesses nationwide from a network of independent distributors and dealers.
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The American Insitute of Timber Construction (AITC) is the original trade group for structural laminated timber. AITC provides licensing for glulam manufacturers, quality control for glulam production, and plant inspections, as well as technical assistance for glulam specifications.
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APA-The Engineered Wood Association has led the engineered wood products industry in developing an exceptionally strong, versatile, and reliable product family, which includes plywood, oriented strand board, glulam, laminated veneer lumber, I-joists, and rim board. The APA has created a comprehensive set of services and tools for design and construction professionals to help facilitate the use and specification of these products: CAD library (apacad.org); Help Desk, product and application support (253-620-7445); Online library, design and engineering publications; Professional Associates Program, APA’s technical forum; and continuing education at Wood University, www.wooduniversity.org.
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The American Wood Council (AWC) is the wood products division of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). The AWC develops internationally recognized standards for wood design and construction. Its efforts with building codes and standards, engineering and research, and technology transfer ensure proper application for engineered and traditional wood products.
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Boise Cascade Engineered Wood Products manufactures and markets the Simple Framing System, a line of engineered wood products that save homebuilders time and money. Products include BCI Joists, AllJoist series I-joists, Versa-Lam and Versa-Stud laminated veneer lumber, Versa-Rim and Versa-Strand rim boards, and Boise Glulam beams. For 2007, Boise Plans Room posts builders’ projects online to communicate, track, update redlines, do take-offs, and organize for future use. All project team members—the builder, dealer, designer, subcontractors, product vendors, and homeowner—can view plans at any time.
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Cascade Consulting Associates, Inc., is a regional structural engineering firm and software developer of StruCalc 7.0. According to the company, it has developed StruCalc for its own use as working structural engineers, and as a result, has been able to create a program that fits perfectly with the majority of engineering performed for residential and light commercial design. StruCalc is very fast and easy to use for the design or analysis of beams, columns, and footings. Switch easily between different materials, including solid sawn lumber, glulams, I-joists, and several manufactured lumber products, as well as steel and composite flitch beams.
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According to Commins Manufacturing, Inc., its AutoTight rod holdown systems provide the best multi-story shear wall tie-down systems available. Every reaction point has an independent automatic shrinkage compensator and connections range from one to five stories. AutoTight systems optimize strength (loads up to 60 kips), stretch (1/8-inch per floor or less as required), shrinkage/settling (2-1/2-inch standard), and reliability (enclosed working elements standard). AutoTight distributors are located throughout the Western United States and Canada.
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EnWood Structures, LLC’s rich history in the laminated wood industry spans more than 60 years. An early pioneer in the art and technology of pre-engineered laminated wood products, EnWood is a certified member of the American Institute of Timber Construction. According to the company, its custom design division supports engineers and designers with even the most complex and challenging projects. For decades EnWood has partnered with talented professionals to develop custom laminated wood shelters and pavilions; bridges for golf, pedestrian, and vehicular use; architectural beams; and light risers.
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Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc., has provided fire-retardant lumber and plywood for interior and exterior applications for more than 50 years. According to the company, the superior performance of Exterior Fire-X and Pyro-Guard products often allows its treated wood to be used instead of more expensive construction materials like concrete and steel. UL labeling and third-party monitoring ensure consistent adherence to the company’s 25 or less flame-spread rating. Furthermore, Exterior Fire-X and Pyro-Guard can be painted or stained like untreated wood. Hoover also provides free AIA-accredited fire-retardant wood seminars.
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The 2006 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual series developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and Structural Engineers Association of California has been updated to provide a step-by-step approach to applying the structural/seismic provisions of the 2006 International Building Code. The three-volume set features 76 total code application and design examples, many of which illustrate the everyday problems structural engineers face when designing for wood construction. The manuals also cover tilt-up steel and reinforced concrete. According to ICC, these manuals are invaluable resources for structural engineers, code officials, and students.
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VisualAnalysis from Integrated Engineering Software, Inc. (IES), provides analysis of timber frames (post and beam), trusses, glulam beams, and more. The full package includes design according to International Building Code 2006 and National Design Specification 2005 specifications. The software includes a comprehensive database of sawn sections, glue laminates, posts, timbers, and common engineered wood products. Custom structural composite lumber shapes are also supported through IES ShapeBuilder. The software analyzes for reactions, displacements, and internal forces and stresses, and also performs code checks and member sizing based on design criteria. A free trial version is available and VisualAnalysis comes with free e-mail support and maintenance updates.
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According to Jager Engineered Wood Products (JSI), it is Canada’s largest manufacturer and a leading North American supplier of engineered wood products. This invigorated organization brings together the JSI brand I-Joist, the Temlam brand LVL, and the QuickTools Enterprise Suite whole house software. Jager Engineered Wood Products is grounded in sound engineering and has the ability to bundle the entire engineered wood structural system.
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Power Fasteners’ Carbon Steel Wedge-Bolt OT screw anchor is ideal for use in pressure-treated lumber into concrete applications. According to the company, this unique and universal anchor is available in a finished hex head design and can be easily installed with either an impact wrench, conventional hand socket, or with regular American National Standards Institute standard (ANSI) standard carbide drill bits. It is also available with mechanical galvanizing and can be used for oversized clearance holes.
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RISA Technologies has been a leader in structural analysis and design software since 1987, according to the company. User friendliness combined with advanced analysis capabilities make this software a powerful tool for the analysis and optimization of all types of structures and all common structural materials, including steel, concrete, and wood. RISA’s products (RISA-2D, RISA-3D, and RISAFloor) perform full code checking of sawn lumber, glulams, and structural composite lumber per the latest National Design Specification (NDS) wood design codes. Each program contains a full NDS species/grade database, including glulams. Wood I-joists from various manufacturers may also be selected in RISAFloor.
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Simpson Strong-Tie’s new ITS top-flange I-joist hanger features a new Strong-Grip seat that securely holds the I-joist without any joist nails. Once the hanger is installed on the header, the I-joist is simply snapped down into place. According to the company, the ITS installs faster and uses fewer nails than any other engineered wood product top-flange hanger, and has the lowest installed cost. The ITS design also maintains superior allowable download capacities equal to or greater than the ITT for Douglas Fir and all SCL headers. The ITS can be used with most current I-joist sizes and with flange thicknesses from 1-1/8 inches to 1-1/2 inches.
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According to the Southern Pine Council, the lumber species preferred by architects, designers, and builders—not only for its high strength and density, but also for its treatability and beauty—is Southern Pine. Its high density offers excellent fastener-holding ability for structural connections and resistance to wear in applications like flooring, even in high-traffic areas. Southern Pine is also one of the easiest softwoods to pressure treat with preservatives. Pressure-treated Southern Pine is now available in a variety of treatments, including ACQ, Copper Azole, and borates. Southern Pine is a renewable, versatile, and durable building material.
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Structural Desktop, Inc., integrates the analytical process with AutoCAD. Structures are modeled in Structural Desktop or analytical software, adjusted to the actual structure, and material lists, plans, and elevations are created. Structural Desktop reduces costs, increases accuracy, and performs with a minimal learning curve. According to the company, Structural Desktop pays for itself in one project and does not require the engineer to learn the intricacies of AutoCAD. It draws concrete sections, American Institute of Steel Construction sections, Light Gage Structural Institute and American Iron and Steel Institute light-gage sections, steel joists, wooden beams and studs, and others. It creates solid models for rendering and 2-D drawings for contract documents that are 100-percent compatible with AutoCAD.
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Timberweld Manufacturing provides laminated beams, arches, and deck for design solutions to limited-budget structures with architectural, community, or environmental restrictions or preferences. According to the company, commercial and industrial contractors buy direct from Timberweld and avoid the hassle and the risk of communicating shop drawings, engineering, and architectural details through a third party. Timberweld has been manufacturing laminated beams and arches in Columbus, Mont., for more than 50 years. Timberweld supports the AITC technical research and inspections that continue to raise the standard of the laminated timber industry to help assure the integrity of engineer’s designs.
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Open Joist, available from Universal Forest Products, is a revolutionary, open-web, all-wood floor truss, engineered for long spans and superior load-carrying capabilities. The open-web design allows for safe and quick installation of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Open Joist is assembled with finger joinery and structural adhesive to produce a more resilient wood-to-wood connection resulting in a floor system guaranteed to perform. Tested to more than twice its maximum allowable load, according to the company, Open Joist is the only individually tested floor truss and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
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Unadilla Silo Company, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of engineered wood products with a wide variety of applications, including religious structures, field houses, pavilions, swimming pool enclosures, ice skating rinks, gazebos, horse riding arenas, bridges, and indoor water parks. The company is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certified for purchasing, manufacturing, erecting, and selling FSC pure and FSC mixed lumber for use in its custom glue-laminated beams, trusses, and arches. The company is also fully licensed by AITC to produce all types of glulam products to the ANSI standard.
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iLevel is Weyerhaeuser’s integrated wood products business, resulting in a seamless, unified solution for residential and commercial builders—offering a coordinated network of support for all structural framing materials. According to the company, by combining its high-quality products and services from well-known brands like Trus Joist and Structurwood, with its distribution and technology capabilities, iLevel efficiently supplies customers with all the necessary components for building wood structural framing, and solving builder and customer needs around that frame. iLevel offers a complete and integrated package of framing materials, which includes TimberStrand LSL, Parallam PSL, TJI joists, Structurwood panels, and Weyerhaeuser Premium Joists.
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