Design Codes and Standards

Update to NDS 2018 (Feature 230)
The program has been updated to conform the 2018 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, from the 2015 NDS.
1. Custom Incising Factor
  NDS 4.3.8 now allows for a custom incising factor C_ibased on specific incising patterns. To implement this, the Beam view data group called Modification factors has been split into two boxes, one for Service conditions containing Moisture and Temperature inputs, and one for Treatment containing Incising checkbox, and two inputs for custom MoE and Strengths. These inputs default to the values for incisions limited as in 4.3.8 but can then be changed. The default modulus of elasticity incision is 0.95 and the default for F_b, F_v, F_c and F_t is 0.80.
2. Fire Design Char Rate vs. Char Depth
  NDS 2015 Equation 16.2-1 for char rate β_effwas based on a nominal one-hour char rate and exposure time and then one would multiply the char rate by the exposure time to get the char depth a_char. Now, these two steps have been combined into one equation 16.2-2. Accordingly, the char rate β_effhas been removed from the Calculations section of the Design Check results table.
3. SCL Tension Volume Factor
  The volume factor C_V stored in the database section properties is now applied to tension strength F_t for SCL members, as per NDS 2018 8.3.6.2.
4. Flat Use Factor for Beam and Stringer E and E_min
  The flat use factor C_fufor beams and stringers that was previously only in Supplement table 4D are referenced from NDS 4.3.7.2. The program had not been applying the 0.90 factor for No.1 grade members to the moduli of elasticity E and E_min This has been corrected.
5. Redwood Grades
  The redwood grades that are not "open grain" have been removed from Table 4D and have been removed from the database by removing the Redwood species and renaming Redwood (o.g) to Redwood.
6. Volume Factor C_V for F_b* used for Lateral Stability
  NBC 2018 includes a provision in 3.3-6 that the volume factor C_v is to be applied to the value of F_b* for lateral stability factor C_L calculations if greater than 1.0 This was already implemented in Sizer 7 in 2006 as per an AWC directive.
7. NDS Link
  The link in the Help menu to the .pdf of the on-line NDS on the website has been updated to retrieve NDS 2018.
8. NDS References
  The references to the edition of the NDS in the Welcome box, Building Codes box, About Sizer box, and in the Design Check output have been updated to 2018.
Update to IBC 2018 (Feature 230)
The program has been updated to conform to the 2018 International Building Code from the 2015 IBC.
1. IBC 1604.3 Note d
  As Live roof (Lr) has been added to the load combination given in 1604.3 note d, the 0.5 factor is now applied to make the 0.5 D + Lr, and 0.5 D + 0.75 (L + Lr) combinations. Previously only the 0.5 D + Lr combination was constructed.
  
  Note that for CLT, the dead load factor is now 1.0 rather than 0.5, so that when CLT materials are selected, the checkbox activating this item in load input view reads L + D rather than L + 0.5D and the 1.0 dead factor is applied to the above combinations rather than 0.5.
2. IBC References
  The references to the edition of the IBC in the Welcome box, Building Codes box, About Sizer box, and in the Design Check output have been updated to 2018.
Update to ASCE 7-16
The program has been updated to conform to the 2016 ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures from the 2010 ASCE 7. This standard is used for Sizer only for load combinations, which are also published in the IBC, and have not changed for this edition of the ASCE 7. The reference to the ASCE 7 in the Building Codes box has been updated to ASCE 7-16.
Design Standard Editions in Glulam Design Note (Change 203)
In the Design Note indicating technical references for glulam materials, the edition of ANSI 117 has been updated from 2010 to 2015 and the edition of ANSI A190.1 from 2007 to 2012.