A new automated tool provides assistance in the design of force transfer around openings (FTAO).
The Engineered Wood Association developed the free tool that includes a calculator and Technical Note. The FTAO method of shear wall design provides structures with a more comprehensive lateral resistance design which otherwise omitted the sheathing around windows or other large openings, according to a news release by the association.
“The FTAO method used to be considered cumbersome and somewhat undefinable due to the lack of specificity in the design code,” said Jared S. Hensley, P.E., APA Engineered Wood Specialist. “Now we have a new tool that simplifies the structural design process and makes the FTAO method more approachable and more precise.”
The APA FTAO Calculator provides the required hold-down forces, tension strap forces, and wall sheathing capacity, and automatically completes the design check in the final step. It also provides shear wall deflection calculations for the 3- and 4-term deflection equation options.
Related Stories
Legislation | Aug 10, 2016
Calif. bill would speed up environmental lawsuits on certain projects
A nine-month limit has been proposed for some $100 million-plus projects.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
Regulations | Aug 9, 2016
New trend eases parking requirements for U.S. cities
Transit-oriented development and affordable housing are spurring the movement.
Regulations | Aug 8, 2016
EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products
Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.
Regulations | Aug 5, 2016
Stop-work orders in New York City up sharply this year
The orders come after a rise in the number of deadly accidents that have occurred in the past few years.
Sustainability | Aug 4, 2016
S.F. Bay Area voters approve first-of-its-kind tax to fight impact of climate change
The funds from the tax will be used to restore wetlands
Concrete | Aug 2, 2016
Concrete Association builds case against cross-laminated timber
The campaign asserts that not enough is known about CLT in construction
Seismic Design | Jul 28, 2016
Risk of man-made earthquakes now factor in seismic hazard analysis
Significant risk increases seen in some areas of the U.S.
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2016
New York’s resilience plans not taking long-term view, critics charge
Continued waterfront development may be regretted later this century.
Green Specifications | Jul 26, 2016
New Miami Beach law requires LEED certification on projects larger than 7,000 sf
LEED Silver the prescribed standard on buildings larger than 50,000 sf.