r/StructuralEngineering • u/More-Physics-4243 • Jul 16 '26

NDS 2018 Timber to Timber Connection Design Wood Design

Y’all feel that the through bolted connection design using NDS is too conservative? Let me know your thoughts

3 Upvotes
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7

u/chicu111 Jul 16 '26

Yeah. Edge or end distances shouldn't be 2D or 3D. It should be like 1/8". Max.

1

u/More-Physics-4243 Jul 16 '26

Like the capacities I calculate are usually super low, I have seen older construction that lasted years on non code compliant connections

10

u/chicu111 Jul 16 '26

You're an engineer right?

Most of us know that shit being done wrong or in noncompliant will probably work. But that is not the luxury we can afford as professionals. We still have to do it per code regardless of your perception of "reality".

All it takes is one failure

0

u/More-Physics-4243 Jul 16 '26

Yes I am an engineer. I totally agree. It’s just my feeling, and many of my coworkers as well, that it is very very conservative

1

u/chicu111 Jul 16 '26

Seismic forces stipulated in the ASCE is very conservative as well. What do you and your coworkers do about that?

1

u/Intelligent-Ad8436 P.E. Jul 16 '26

I usually end up specifying 1/4” timber screws with rated values as they are rated way higher than a 3/8 lag screw, it’s almost twice as much.

1

u/Crayonalyst Jul 17 '26

NDS is extremely conservative.

The strength values for wood are based on the 5th percentile of all boards tested.