Module 3: Conventional Floor and Deck Framing Design

This section covers the following:

1. The distinction between engineered and prescriptive design.

2. The International Residential Code - State adoption and amendment.

3. Alternative standards (The Wood Frame Construction Manual)

4. The course outline.

This section covers the following:

1. The concept of simply supported elements

2. Floor loading - The floor assembly and the determination of dead loads.

3. Floor loading - Reference publications for the determination of dead loads.

4. Floor loading - The determination of live loads from IRC tables.

5. Floor joists deflection - The concept of deflection.

6. The influence of floor joists deflection in sizing floor joists.

This section covers the following:

1. The conformance standards for sawn lumber - floor joists.

2. The grades and species of sawn lumber floor joists in conventional construction.

3. The design of sawn lumber floor joists in conventional construction.

4. The design of sawn lumber floor girders in conventional construction.

5. The general requirements (Bearing supports, lateral restraint at supports, bridging, notching).

6. The fastening schedule and floor framing fastening requirements.

7. Use of proprietary hangers in conventional construction.

8. Framing at floor openings.

9. The design of floor sheathing (performance standards, span rating, thickness etc).

10. Design and construction using prefabricated wood I-joists.

This section covers the following:

1. Vented and Unvented crawl spaces.

2. The construction of enclosed areas below the flood elevation.

3. The construction of concrete floor slabs.

4. Concrete requirements with respect to weathering potential.

This section covers the following:

1. Deck loading.

2. The design of decking, deck joists, deck ledger, deck beams, deck posts and deck ties.

3. Use of approved proprietary hangers.

4. The design of the ledger support at exterior decks.

5. Corrosion protection of deck connectors, nails, screws and bolts.

This section covers the following:

1. The design of deck foundations.

2. The design of deck guard rails including anchorage of the post at the base - Please note that the complete guard rail design process is presented in the design project (last section of this module)

3. Drainage and ventilation at exterior decks.

In this section, we continue with the conventional structural design of a two story residential structure in Seismic Design Category D2 (Very high seismic hazard risk) and a wind speed of 120 miles per hour.

Since the scope of this module is on floor and deck framing. Therefore, our design work will be limited to the design of the floor and deck elements. We will design the following:

1. Floor joists.

2. Floor sheathing.

3. Stairs.

4. Deck joists.

5. Decking.

6. Deck ledger.

7. Deck beams.

8. Deck posts.

9. Deck foundations and

10. Deck guard rails.

11. Additionally, we will develop the structural drawings as is typically required for permit issuance and construction. The drawings will include layout plans showing the floor joists and stairs, deck framing drawings, construction details drawings and material specifications drawings.