LEESBURG, Va. – The American Wood Council (AWC) has released a revised Technical Report 12 (TR 12): General Dowel Equations for Calculating Lateral Connection Values. 

New provisions provide increased options for connecting wood members, and as a result, information on using stainless steel and aluminum fasteners and connectors has been included. 

“The mechanics-based approach for connection design in the National Design Specification for Wood Construction permits designers to determine effects of member thickness, member strength, fastener size, and fastener strength on lateral connection values for the majority of connections found in wood construction,” said AWC Vice President of Engineering Brad Douglas.

“TR 12 covers calculation of lateral values for single dowel type fastener connections using a generalized and expanded form of the NDS yield limit equations. It also provides tools for the analysis of gaps between members, fasteners through hollow members, and inputs for design of wood connections using stainless steel and aluminum parts and fasteners.”

 

The free report can be downloaded at: awc.org/codes-standards/publications/tr12.

 

The American Wood Council (AWC) is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, representing over 75 percent of an industry that provides approximately 400,000 men and women in the United States with family-wage jobs. AWC members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon. Staff experts develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design, as well as provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations. AWC also advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products.