Timber Load Path Analysis & Verification
Trace timber load paths, calculate member demands, verify code compliance
What You Can Do
You can decompose complex timber structures into analyzable load paths, trace forces from applied loads through members to supports, and calculate governing demands for each structural element. This skill helps you identify critical design points, apply appropriate load factors and duration adjustments, and create defensible design documentation that satisfies code officials and peer reviewers.
Features
break complex structures into traceable force flow segments
compute shear, bending, axial, and lateral demands with load factors
evaluate multiple simultaneous conditions (dead, live, snow, wind, seismic)
flag governing load cases and design-controlling members
check alignment with NDS, local codes, and project requirements
analyze shear walls, diaphragms, and bracing effectiveness
generate justifications and load path diagrams for regulatory review
organize demands for connection and member sizing calculations
Example Output
Example 1: Multi-Span Residential Beam Load Path
- Tributary width: 16 ft (roof + ceiling load)
- Dead load: 15 psf → 240 plf on beam
- Snow load: 40 psf → 640 plf (7-day duration factor = 0.9)
- Governing load case: Dead + Snow (combined 880 plf)
- Max moment: 172 kip-ft at midspan
- Reaction demands: 7,040 lbs left, 7,040 lbs right
- Critical design point: Midspan bending (controls member size)
- Verification: ✓ 2×12 DF-L SS passes 1600F-1.2E
Example 2: Heavy Timber Lateral System
- Shear wall: 16 ft wide × 12 ft high
- Seismic demand: 45 kips base shear
- Load path: Diaphragm → chords → shear walls → foundation
- Member demands: Chord tension 28 kips (top), 28 kips compression (bottom)
- Sheathing shear: 281 plf (governs nailing schedule)
- Verification: ✓ 1½×6 T&G decking with 16d nails @ 4" spacing adequate
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with load path methodology:
- Load Path Worksheet Template: organize tributary areas, loads, and member demands
- Load Case Matrix: track multiple simultaneous conditions and combinations
- Member Demand Summary: tabulate shear, moment, axial, and lateral demands
- Code Compliance Checklist: verify NDS requirements, connection details, and adjustment factors
Who It's For
- Structural engineers designing timber buildings and verifying code compliance
- Timber designers working on residential, commercial, or heavy timber projects
- Code officials reviewing load path documentation and design logic
- Architects working on timber structures who need to understand force flow
- Project engineers on complex multi-span or lateral-load-resisting systems
Best For
- Analyzing complex multi-span timber beam and joist systems
- Decomposing lateral load-resisting systems (shear walls, diaphragms, bracing)
- Documenting load paths for code official or peer review
- Evaluating multiple load cases and identifying governing conditions
- Calculating member demands for connection design and member sizing
- Verifying NDS compliance and adjustment factor applications
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