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This webinar was co-sponsored by ASCE's Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) and ASCE Continuing Education

Instructor:  Alexander Newman, P.E., F.ASCE

Course Length: 1.5 Hours

Purpose and Background

Like other types of construction, wood-framed structures occasionally fail. The failures might manifest themselves as degradation, excessive deflections, or even a complete collapse of the structure. There are many possible causes of failure, ranging from overload to inadequate design and construction. The forensic engineers involved in the investigations of these failures could share many valuable lessons they have learned. These lessons have practical implications for the designers, contractors, and owners of wood-framed structures. This webinar provides an opportunity to explore these lessons. The data on building failures is difficult to find, which makes this presentation unique.

The discussion covers the main causes of failure in wood-framed structures and illustrates the process of failure investigation for various circumstances. The instructor guides the participants through several case studies and explains the significance of each finding. The main focus is on the failures of wood-framed buildings, but the lessons can be applied to other timber structures as well.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Determine the main causes of failure in wood-framed structures
• Become familiar with the basic methods of forensic investigation of wood-framed buildings

Seminar Benefits

• Explore the typical causes of failure in wood structures
• Discover how a structure can collapse on a clear sunny day under its own weight after being in service for many
• Work through a number of forensic case studies
• Find out why some wood structures are more vulnerable than others
• Examine a common situation where the perceived “failure” is actually rather harmless

Intended Audience

Structural and civil engineers, architects, and building officials seeking to learn from failures of wood-framed structures will benefit from this webinar.

Seminar Outline

• Introduction
• Main causes of failure in wood-framed structures
• Overload by gravity and lateral loads
• Optimistic prior design practices
• Questionable design and construction
• Deterioration, lack of maintenance, fire damage
• Improper alterations
• The ‘failures’ that aren’t

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]