Click on the links to download the following new and updated publications.
WALL LINE BRACING CALCULATOR
APA Launches Online Bracing Calculator
APA – The Engineered Wood Association has launched a free online Wall Line Bracing Calculator that streamlines the process for determining wall bracing requirements. The Wall Line Bracing Calculator’s step-by-step tool uses basic user inputs and internal calculations to determine the amount of wall bracing needed for each house plan to comply with IRC bracing requirements. It also provides a concise printable summary of the wall bracing parameters entered by the designer for inclusion in plan submittals to the code jurisdiction.
“Among the hundreds of code provisions that dictate construction, wall bracing remains one of the most confusing and intimidating,” said Tom Kositzky, APA Field Services Director. “This free online tool walks builders and designers through the process, allowing them to more easily determine the bracing method and then document the path so that all parties, including the building department, are on the same page.”
The Wall Line Bracing Calculator follows a straightforward four-step process:
- Enter basic project information.
- Add wall line information.
- Enter wall line segment details.
- Produce project report.
The easy-to-follow system automatically determines how much bracing is required, whether there is enough qualified bracing, and whether all the IRC placement rules have been met. Along with streamlining the calculations, it verifies compliance without the user having to sift through pages and pages of code.
The Wall Line Bracing Calculator can be accessed at www.apawood.org/calculator.
UPDATED PUBLICATIONS
Plywood Design Specification Supplements #1–5 Updated
Five supplements to the Plywood Design Specification, Form Y510, were recently updated. The Plywood Design Specification is a manual of section properties, recommended design stresses, and design methods for plywood manufactured under Voluntary Product Standard PS 1, and the specification and supplements will remain available until various building code references are updated. For the most recent PDS manual, refer to Panel Design Specification, Form D510.
Updated Supplements:
- Design and Fabrication of Curved Plywood Roof Panels, Form S811
- Design and Fabrication of Glued Plywood And Lumber Beams, Form S812
- Design and Fabrication of Plywood Stressed-Skin Panels, Form U813
- Design and Fabrication of Plywood Sandwich Panels, Form U814
- Design and Fabrication of All-Plywood Beams, Form H815
Answers to Your Questions
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Engineered wood product support: Contact the APA Support Help Desk via the online contact form, email help@apawood.org, or call 253-620-7400.