About the author ⁄ Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E.

Michelle Kam-Biron is a Mass Timber Specialist with Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation (mkambiron@structurlam.com).

Seasoning Checks in Timber

All wood is subject to some degree of seasoning, i.e., drying until it acclimates to the humidity conditions of the surrounding atmosphere at in-service conditions. Seasoning occurs when the wood is air-dried, dried in a kiln under controlled conditions, or subject to radio frequency drying. As wood loses (or gains) moisture, it will shrink (or swell) until it reaches equilibrium with the constantly changing level of moisture of its immediate environment. As shown in Figure 1, seasoning checks are separations of the wood fibers that develop along the length of lumber or timber due to shrinkage of the wood as it dries.

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Aug, 2021 By Kevin Cheung, Ronald W. Anthony, FAPT, Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. and Bonnie Yang In Structural Design Comments 0

Designing Cross-Laminated Timber Wall Elements

Although commonly used throughout the building industry, the term “mass timber “will be included in the International Building Code (IBC) for the first time in the 2021 Edition. Mass timber will be defined as structural elements of Type IV construction primarily of solid, built-up, panelized, or engineered wood products that meet minimum cross-section dimensions of Type IV construction. …

Oct, 2020 By Lori Koch, P.E. and Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. In Structural Components Comments 0

Used the Most, Taught the Least

An Analysis of Current Wood Engineering Education in U.S. Universities

Structural engineers are becoming aware of the impact the selection of structural materials can have on the environment. The building industry is acknowledging and embracing the contribution of the sustainable potential of wood to reduce the environmental footprint of a project through its carbon-storing capabilities and renewable qualities. …

Aug, 2020 By John W. Lawson P.E., S.E., Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. and Brent Perkins, P.E., S.E. In Education Issues Comments 0

Seismic Design Forces

ASCE 7-16 Revised Capping Provision for Short Period Regular Structures

Design forces for short period, regular structures, five stories and less in height, in high seismic hazard areas, are permitted to be designed for less seismic force than would otherwise be required by use of the mapped ground motion parameters. …

Jul, 2018 By Philip Line, P.E., Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. and Michael Cochran, S.E., SECB In Engineer's Notebook Comments 0

Higher Education That Includes Timber Engineering

Timber is one of the most widely used construction materials in the U.S., especially for low- to mid-rise residential structures. It is also one of the most sustainable materials available. The life cycle of the product involves the sequestration (the physical storage) of carbon, the production of oxygen, and the reduction of energy consumed in creating manufactured products. …

Jul, 2017 By Uchenna T. E. Okoye, P.E., Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E., Brent Perkins, P.E., S.E. and Craig E. Barnes, P.E., SECB In Education Issues Comments 0

Special Inspections for Wood Construction, Part 2

This article is the conclusion of a two-part series which discusses special inspection provisions for wood construction found in Chapter 17 of the International Building Code (IBC). Although the IBC is in use or adopted in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, New York City, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, each state and jurisdiction may not adopt the same edition of the code and/or make amendments to the code. …

Feb, 2016 By David P. Tyree, P.E., C.B.O., James B. Smith, P.E. and Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Codes and Standards Comments 0

Special Inspections for Wood Construction – Part 1

This article is a two part series which discusses special inspection provisions for wood construction in the 2015 International Building Code (Part 1) and perspectives from several States (based on the 2012 International Building Code) on suggested handling of special inspections regionally (Part 2). …

Jan, 2016 By David P. Tyree, P.E., C.B.O., James B. Smith, P.E. and Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Codes and Standards Comments 2

2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic

The 2015 Edition of Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) was approved as an American National Standard on September 8, 2014, with the designation ANSI/AWC SDPWS-2015 (Figure 1). The 2015 SDPWS was developed by AWC’s Wood Design Standards Committee (WDSC) and contains provisions for design of wood members, fasteners, and assemblies to resist wind and seismic forces. …

Jul, 2015 By Philip Line, P.E., John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. and Jason Smart, P.E. In Articles, Codes and Standards Comments 0

Changes to the 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual

The 2015 Edition of the Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (ANSI/AWC WFCM-2015) was approved on October 10, 2014 as an ANSI American National Standard (Figure 1). The 2015 WFCM was developed by the American Wood Council’s (AWC) Wood Design Standards Committee and is referenced in the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2015 International Building Code (IBC). …

Feb, 2015 By John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., Peter J. Mazikins, P.Eng and Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Code Updates

Changes to the 2015 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction

The 2015 Edition of the National Design Specification^® (NDS^®) for Wood Construction was recently published. The updated standard designated ANSI/AWC NDS-2015 was approved as an ANSI American National Standard on September 30, 2014 (Figure 1). The 2015 NDS was developed by the American Wood Council’s (AWC) Wood Design Standards Committee and is referenced in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC). …

Jan, 2015 By John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., Bradford Douglas, P.E. and Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Code Updates

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