Education

Curriculum for Engineering Colleges

The Post-Frame Advantage is offering a FREE six-part educational module, Diaphragm Design of Post-Frame Building Systems, to engineering colleges across the country. The module assumes that students have been introduced to the basic provisions of the National Specification for Wood Construction.

This educational series covers diaphragm design theory and methods with a comprehensive wood structural design example. Each session includes a PowerPoint presentation complete with scripted instructor notes and a student manual for each session. The module was developed by NFBA Technical and Research Advisor Harvey Manbeck, PE, PhD, who is Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, University Park, PA.

The six sessions of the Diaphragm Design of Post-Frame Building Systems educational module include:

SESSION #1: Introduction to Post-Frame Building Systems

Key Learning Objectives

• Identifying the structural features that make post-frame systems unique as well as useful design resources
• Review of the two basic design approaches for post-frame systems identifying key performance characteristics
• Provide an introduction to post-frame building systems in preparation for the detailed design procedures that will be covered in future sessions

SESSION #2: Post-Frame Design: 2-Dimensional Frame Method & Post Foundation Design

Key Learning Objectives

• Basic procedures for 2-dimensional post-frame building design
• Learn design procedures and calculations for sizing wall posts and detailing the post foundations
• Understanding the key post-frame elements that are essential to embarking on 3-dimensional post-frame design for buildings with diaphragm action

SESSION #3: Diaphragm Design of Post-Frame Building Systems: Theoretical Basis and Sway/Shear Modifier Method

• Present the theoretical basis for diaphragm design of post-frame systems
• Identify the concept of in-plane shear strength and stiffness for metal-clad, wood-framed diaphragms and shearwalls
• Present and interpret the Sway and Shear Modifier Method for diaphragm design of post-frame building systems
• Use the Sway and Shear Modifier Method to design the wall post and foundation requirements for a post-frame building
• Compare the wall post and foundation requirements for the same building with and without diaphragm action

SESSION #4: Diaphragm Design of Post-Frame Building Systems: Rigid Frame and DAFI Methods

• Present and interpret the Rigid Roof Method for diaphragm design of post-frame building systems.
• Present and interpret the Diaphragm and Frame Interaction (DAFI) Method for diaphragm design of post-frame building systems.
• Use the Rigid Roof and the DAFI methods to determine the wall post and foundation requirements for a post-frame building.
• Compare the design outcomes of the three diaphragm design methods (Sway and Shear Modifier, Rigid Roof, and DAFI).

SESSION #5: Diaphragm Design of Post-Frame Building Systems: Comprehensive Design Example (Part I)

• The session goal is to learn how to conduct a comprehensive structural design of a post-frame building system incorporating diaphragm design techniques.
• The foci of session are to describe the building system, specify the design loads, conduct design calculations and specify the roof truss, conduct design calculations and specify the roof and wall diaphragm in-plane shear strength and shear stiffness, conduct the diaphragm analysis of the post frame and specify the wall columns.

SESSION #6: Diaphragm Design of Post-Frame Building Systems: Comprehensive Design Example (Part II)

• This session is a continuation of the comprehensive design example begun in Session 5.
• The session goal is to learn how to conduct a comprehensive structural design of a post-frame building system incorporating diaphragm design techniques.
• The foci of the session are to conduct the design analysis for and to specify the post-frame foundation for the building, design and specify the roof purlins and wall girts, design all the connections for the building system, and specify the lateral and longitudinal bracing systems for the building.
• The session concludes with a summary of the design outcomes from Sessions 5 and 6.

Dr. Harvey B. Manbeck is Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Engineering at Penn State University and Technical Advisor to the National Frame Building Association (NFBA).

Dr. Manbeck earned his BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Penn State in 1963 and 1965. He earned a PhD in Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1970. He taught wood structural engineering and building systems engineering at Penn State University for nearly 30 years. He has published over 340 technical articles, including over 100 in refereed engineering journals, on research related to building systems design and wood structural engineering.

Dr. Manbeck chaired the standards writing committee that developed the first nationally recognized engineering practice on diaphragm design of post-frame buildings. His research in wood buildings and post-frame design includes studies on spliced glued laminated posts, in-plane shear strength and stiffness of metal-clad, wood-framed structural diaphragms, computer modeling of metal-clad post-frame diaphragms, creep response of wood I-joist floor systems, and lateral stability of structural composite lumber. He has served as Technical Advisor to the NFBA since January, 2007.