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Design

Structural design in timber differs from design in other materials, due to the anisotropic nature of the material and also the great variation in material properties. The requirements of the Timber Structures Standard NZS 3603 reflects this.

Timber, as a material, provides exciting possibilities in architectural and structural design that have long been recognised and employed. New challenges, materials and standards ensure that innovation remains of primary importance when designing with timber. The following guides are designed to assist you with this.

Structural design

Structural design in timber differs from design in other materials, due to the anisotropic nature of the material and also the great variation in material properties. The requirements of the Timber Structures Standard NZS 3603 reflects this.

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Structural connections

Structural connections include nails, screws, bolts, coachscrews, rivets, pins, dowels, epoxied rods, glues and other structural connectors including ply gussets, metal plate fixings, and nail-on plates.

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Seismic design

This section gives the background to specific engineering design of lateral force resisting systems for timber buildings. When making specific engineering calculations, earthquake forces must be obtained directly from the standards. We also look at the effect the Christchurch earthquake has had on homes based on the preliminary report recently released.

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Design aids

Here you will find links to design software from a range of New Zealand timber products manufacturers and groups.

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Floor dynamics

This section includes information on static deflection and vibration as part of floor design.

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Case study

Remuera House

Remuera House

Richard George, GHD

Key Features
  • The house consists of an elemental two-level rectangular box sitting above a concrete basement level.
  • An external steel structure with a completely glass skin is contrasted by a timber interior that offers a natural warmth.
  • The timber flooring throughout the house is a tongue and groove Victorian Ash that provides a clean-cut elegance.
  • The ceilings consist of a clear stained ply lining with raw LVL ceiling joists left exposed on the intermediate level.
  • Internally, the space is defined by movable panels clad in a Mahogany Sapele crown-cut veneer.
  • The overall effect is a pure architecture with an emphasis on the innate quality of the materials.

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