scope:

This Technical Report provides an introduction and synopsis of comparisons among the following four national design documents on light-frame timber (wood)¹⁾ construction:

a) AS 1684-1 (including AS 1684-1:1999/Amd.1:2002), AS 1684-2 and AS 1684-3;

b) the Engineering guide for wood-frame construction;

c) NZS 3604;

d) the Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (Chapter 1: General information, Chapter 2: Engineered design and Chapter 3: Prescriptive design).

Each of the four light-frame texts compared in this Technical Report is based on a national timber design standard that includes provisions for assemblies and systems, which go beyond single-member design methodology. Other jurisdictions also have similar design documents on light-frame timber construction. Although not all jurisdictions have design documents on light-frame timber construction, timber design standards typically address assemblies and systems (See 6.2).

1) The terms "wood" and "timber" are used interchangeably in this Technical Report.