Timber Frame Engineering Council Library

Interpretation and appropriate use of the information presented in this Library is the responsibility of the user. Neither the TFEC nor its members assume any responsibility for the information contained in this library of documents or liability from its use.

TFEC Practice Bulletins

These Practice Notes have been developed by the Timber Frame Engineering Council as a source of advice to structural engineers on practice-related issues, where often there is little other advice available. The notes are intended to inform TFEC Members about issues that may affect them in various ways and in various capacities.

The following downloads require Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• Practice Bulletin - 2009-01 - Jim DeStefano

TFEC Technical Bulletins

The Technical Bulletins of the Timber Frame Engineering Council provide guidance concerning the building performance standards of the TFEC. These bulletins are intended for use primarily by structural engineers, design professionals, and builders for interpreting and understanding issues in the timber frame engineering process as well as other pertinent information relating to the design of timber frame structures.

• Technical Bulletin 01: Capacity of Pegged Connections

TFEC Technical Bulletins - Policy & Procedures

• Technical Bulletin Policy & Procedures
• Technical Bulletin Template

TFEC Research Reports

The Timber Frame Engineering Council provides the following research information in the area of structural engineering of timber frame structures.

• Moment Resistance of Bolted Timber Connections with Perpendicular to Grain Reinforcements
• Demonstration of Wind Load Design for Timber Frame Structures Using Diaphragm Action
• Utilizing Diaphragm Action for Wind Load Design of Timber Frame and Structural Insulated Panel Buildings
• Structural Performance of Rounded Dovetail Connections
• Structural Properties of Pegged Timber Connections as Affected by End Distance

TFEC 1- Standard for Design of Timber Frame Structures

The Timber Frame Engineering Council developed this Standard to define the engineering and design requirements for timber frame construction. A timber frame shall be regarded as a structural building frame system or a portion thereof that is composed of heavy timber members in which connections between interlocking members are created by carpenter-style joinery using wood pegs and wood wedges.

This Standard is not intended to preclude use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs not meeting the criteria herein, provided it is demonstrated by analysis based on recognized theory, full scale or prototype loading tests, studies of model analogues or extensive experience in use that the material, assembly, structure or design will perform satisfactorily in its intended end use.

This Standard is intended as a supplement to provisions of the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS©, Reference 1). In the event of conflicts or contradictory requirements between this Standard and the NDS©, the provisions of the latter specification shall apply.

Download a Copy of TFEC 1-2010 Standard Here • Download a copy of the TFEC 1-2010 Commentary Here

TFEC Miscellaneous Notes

These Notes have been developed by the Timber Frame Engineering Council as a source of advice to structural engineers on design-related issues.

The following downloads require Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• Basic Design Issues in Timber Frame Engineering
• Basic Design Issues in Frame Frame Engineering II
• Loading Criteria Checklist

Engineer's Resource List

This Resource List, compiled by Russell Ley, brings together as much reference material as possible on the subject of timber framing engineering and related disciplines.

• Engineer's Resource List

TFEC Symposium Schedules

Please contact the presenter for additional information. The following downloads are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• 2006 TFEC Symposium
• 2007 TFEC Symposium
• 2008 TFEC Symposium
• 2009 TFEC Symposium

Timber Frame Engineering Ccouncil (TFEC) By-Laws

Mission

The Timber Frame Engineering Council (TFEC) is a special interest group within the Timber Framers Guild (TFG) focused on the engineering aspects of timber framing. The TFEC is dedicated to advancing the technology of timber frame structural engineering by promoting appropriate research, providing an open forum for the exchange of information and opinions, producing technical publications and conferences.

Membership

Membership in the TFEC is open to any member of the Timber Framers Guild in good standing.

Chairman

The Chairman of the TFEC shall be elected by the membership and shall serve for a term of one year. No individual shall serve more than three consecutive terms as Chairman. The Chairman must be a licensed Professional Engineer or Structural Engineer.

Dues

The TFEC may collect dues from its membership to be used for funding its programs and initiatives. The dues schedule shall be approved by a vote of the membership.

Treasury

TFEC activities shall be funded through fees charged for conferences, seminars and publications as well as any dues charged to the membership. Records of all income and expenditures shall be maintained by the TFG Executive Directors. An annual summary shall be available to all members upon written request.

TFG Authority

The TFEC shall have the status of a special interest committee of the TFG and shall be bound by the Bylaws of the TFG and all directives of the TFG Directors. The TFEC shall be administered by the TFG Executive Directors.

Bylaws Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of the TFEC membership. A simple majority of the votes cast shall be sufficient for the adoption of amendments.

Download A Copy: Click here to download a PDF document of the TFEC By-Laws

TFEC Resources

• AITC – American Institute of Timber Construction
• APA - Engineered Wood Association
• AWC – American Wood Council
• AWC Connection Calculator
• CWC – Canadian Wood Council
• SIPA – Structural Insulated Panel Association
• TFBC – Timber Frame Business Council
• TFG – Timber Framers Guild