Topic

How New Trends In Wood Construction Comply With The Building Code

by Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E.

This presentation will introduce and provide an overview of a variety of new and current wood products and techniques. It will discuss how they may be applied in your future building designs and how they are being used in projects across the nation today to comply with the International Building Code (IBC). Included in this course is information on the application and advantages of:

• Advanced Framing - A system that has been around since the '60's but has become more popular due to the demand for sustainable designs.
• Panelized Walls - A technique that is allowing wood to be constructed under a more controlled environment and decreasing the time of construction at the site.
• Mid-ply Shear Walls - A technique for increased shear capacity.
• Structural Insulated Panels - A building system that can now be used in high seismic regions.
• Cross-Laminated Timber - A sustainable technology to compete with reinforced concrete mid-rise and high-rise construction as well as concrete tilt up.

Attendees will be eligible for Continuing Education Units.

Biographical Sketch

Michelle Kam-Biron joined the American Wood Council (AWC) in 2012. She currently serves as Director of Education. Before joining the AWC, she was Senior Technical Director - National Lead Mid-rise/Multi-family Construction for Woodworks. She has over 20 years of experience managing and designing a wide variety of projects and working for the Division of State Architect on contract plan review. Michelle has authored and contributed to several publications on the use of structural wood products and presented throughout the nation. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo with a BS in Architectural Engineering. She is currently Treasurer and Past Director of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California and a volunteer on the Cal Poly State University, San Louis Obispo Architectural Engineering Advisory Board.