Student teams are tasked with designing and building a 2-story light-framed wood building that is sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and structurally durable. Additionally, students will learn about the process of proposing a unique project bid and producing building information models, as well as creating comprehensive construction documents.
The team must submit high-quality deliverables following the rules provided for each submittal.
Competition Constraints
The team must design a house given specific constraints outlined in the ASCE TimberStrong Design Build rules. Project constraints include stud, window, and building dimensions, facor of safety limits, and deflection limits. To learn more about the constraints please visit the 2023-2024 ISWS TimberStrong Rules here.
-Research Timber Species and Grades - Research Different Types of Fasteners
Task 1.3: Code Research
- Review and Familiarize Ourselves with the National Design Specifications (NDS), NDS Supplement, and the Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS)
Task 1.4: MathCAD Training
- Familiarize Ourselves with to MathCAD Program - Used to Design and Analyze the Structure
Task 2.1: Timber Decision Matrix
- Five Possible Timber Species: Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir-Larch, Southern Pine, Hem Fir, Spruce Pine Fir - Softwood Grades 1-5 - Decision Matrix Based on Cost, Availability, and Strength to Maximize Competition Points
Task 2.2: Design Decision Matrix
- Create Three Initial Qualitative and Relative Designs With Characteristics Such as Roof Type and Window Features - Decision Matrix Based on Cost, Availability, and Strength to Maximize Competition Points
Task 3.1: Determination of Loads
- Determine Gravity Loads from Estimated Self-Weight - Determine Lateral Loads from Competition Rules
Task 3.2: Roof Design
- Gravity Design for Framing Members - Lateral Design for Roof Diaphragms
Task 3.3: Wall Design
- Gravity Design for Framing Members - Lateral Design forShear Walls
Task 3.4: Floor Design
- Gravity Design for Framing Members - Lateral Design for Floor Diaphragm - Predict Cantilever Beam Deflection with 150lb Point Load
Task 4.1: 2D Structural Drawings
- Created with AutoCAD per ASCE Rules - Represents Member Sizes and Placement
Task 4.2: 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Created with Revit per ASCE Rules - Shows Screw Placement, Continuous Load Path, and Fasteners
Task 5.1: Material Acquisition and Prefabrication
- Timber Purchased from HomeCO - Hardware Provided by Simpson Strong-Tie - Measure and Cut All Members - Prefabricate Wall Panels and Diaphragms
Task 5.2: Construction Practice
- Prepare for 90-Minute Competition - Rehearse Team Roles and Screw Placement
Task 6.1: Trailer Preparation and Transportation
- Pack the ASCE Trailer With Other ISWS Teams - Material and Personnel Transportation to USU
Task 6.2: Competition Build Day
- 90 Minutes to Complete Structure in 20ft x 20ft Area - Judging of Structure by Industry Professionals - Test 150lb Point Load on Cantilever Beam
Social Imapcts
- Will Investigate Throughout Duration of Project
Environmental Impacts
- Will Investiagate Throughout Duration of Project
Economic Impacts
- Will Investiagate Throughout Duration of Project
The Gantt chart shows the the duration of the project schedule broken up into each task. The red path symbolizes our teams "critical path" indicating the path which must be completed on time to successfully complete the project by the required end date. The start date for TimberStrong began on August 28th,2023 and will end on May 7th, 2024. The big milestones of the project are denoted by a diamond. Please select the link below to view the full Gantt Chart
This reduced staffing table breaks down how many hours each position took to complete each task overall. The full staffing table, which is provided in the link below, breaks down how many hours in each subtask and sub-sub task each position took. Please select the link below to view a more detailed version of personnel hours within each task
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