Design Glulam Beams and Columns to NDS

This tool performs a complete Allowable Stress Design (ASD) analysis of Glulam members under gravity and wind loads. It verifies:

• Bending Capacity (F’b): Checks positive and negative moment capacity, automatically applying the governing Volume Factor (CV) or Beam Stability Factor (CL).
• Horizontal Shear (F’v): Verifies shear capacity at the critical section (distance “d” from support).
• Bearing (F’c⊥): Checks compression perpendicular to grain at beam supports and concentrated load points.
• Volume Factor (CV): The unique NDS check for Glulam — strength influenced by total volume (Length × Width × Depth), unlike solid sawn lumber.
• Deflection: Calculates immediate and long-term deflection using the NDS creep component (Kcr).

Supplier & Code Integration — integrates supplier-specific glulam data with AWC NDS 2018. Material grades evaluated using NDS design parameters; load combinations per ASCE 7-16; supports Allowable Stress Design (ASD) with adjustments for moisture conditions and temperature factors.

Analytical Model: Elastic Beam Theory (Euler–Bernoulli, plane sections remain plane); Section Properties (moment of inertia, section modulus, effective section area); Stability Considerations (restraint conditions and effective unbraced length per NDS stability provisions).

Structural Performance Checks: Bending Resistance (vs. allowable bending stress); Shear Resistance (vs. allowable shear strength); Stability Check Due to Bending (lateral instability, restraint system, effective length); Deflection Verification (vs. allowable span limits).

Same NDS 2018 basis, ASCE 7-16 load combinations, ASD methodology with moisture (Cm) and temperature (Ct) factors. Grades such as GL24h, GL28h evaluated.

Analytical Model: Elastic Member Analysis (axial compression, bending from eccentric loads, interaction effects per NDS); Section Properties (section modulus, moment of inertia, radius of gyration); Load Eccentricity Effects (both principal directions).

Structural Performance Checks: Bending Verification (major/minor axes vs. allowable bending stress); Compression Verification (vs. allowable compressive stress parallel to grain); Combined Actions Verification (NDS interaction equations); Buckling Verification (effective length, slenderness ratios, NDS column stability factors); Stability Checks (member slenderness ratios and restraint conditions).

Framework: AWC NDS 2024. Advanced Yield Modeling: NDS Yield Limit Equations for dowel-type fasteners, predicting governing failure modes under combined shear, tension and bending. Manufacturer Data Integration: supplier-specific glulam properties.

Supported Connection Type: Dowel and Bolt Connections, evaluated per AWC NDS dowel-type fastener provisions using NDS Yield Limit Equations.

“Global-Local” Connection Library: Universal Fastener Selection (bolts and dowels, NDS yield equations with load duration, moisture, temperature and time-effect factors). Verified Compatibility: Binderholz, Mercer, Nordic, and SmartLam.

Automated Structural Checks: Geometric Check, Yielding Resistance, Row Shear Resistance, Group Tear-Out Resistance, Net Tension Resistance — per AWC NDS 2024.