By Abi Aghayere and Jason Vigil
This book is intended as a reference for a one-semester wood design course for engineering students. However, it also provides an excellent primer on the basics of wood design for engineers with little or no background in that subject. The authors, a professor and a practicing engineer, have put together a reference that provides the basic theory behind wood design with heavy emphasis on design application. The topics covered include design loads and design of beams, girders, columns, diaphragms, and connections.
The book covers the basic elements in a typical wood structure using the allowable stress design method and the National design Standard for Wood Construction, 2005 edition. The book is organized in an order similar to that adopted by a practitioner designing a structure. The design process for each element is presented systematically and step-by-step, including several design examples for each topic.
Both practitioners and students will appreciate the straightforward approach used to explain and solve design issues. In addition, the book provides several design aids in the appendix for uniformly loaded joists, axially loaded columns, and beam-columns, which practitioners will find useful. This book presents a simplified approach to wood design; however, it does not provide an in-depth explanation of the theory behind the design requirements typical of college-level texts on design.
The authors have developed a reference appropriate for both students and practicing engineers with limited experience in wood design. The clear language and simplified approach, along with practical examples, will allow novice wood designers to gain understanding of the fundamentals of designing with wood.
Reviewed by Anthony E. Dalto, P.E., Principal, Ryan-Biggs Associates, Troy, New York. He specializes in the design of wood and timber structures.