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.