This document describes a methodology for inspecting engineered wood products at the pre-drywall stage of residential construction. The methodology was developed through qualitative research with subject matter experts. It aims to address issues with the proprietary nature of engineered wood, the lack of installation standards, and non-compliance found during inspections. The software application developed allows users to select engineered wood components and problems, view illustrations, and generate inspection reports with pre-written comments and recommended inspection techniques. The summary highlights that manufactured wood products like I-joists, OSB sheathing, and hangers lack a single authoritative standard and inspection requires component-specific techniques.

1. Methodology for the Inspection of
Engineered Wood Products at the Pre-
Drywall Stage of Residential Construction
by
John Bouldin, Ph.D. Candidate
Joseph R. Loferski, Ph.D.
Daniel P. Hindman, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech
Department of Wood Science and Forest Products
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2. Outline
• The Problem
• Goal
• Methods
• Software Application
• Summary
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3. The Problem
• Engineered wood products and
hanger hardware
• Proprietary
• Installation rules are not in the
International Residential Code
• Manufacturer literature
• Code violations
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4. The Problem
“…we need to refocus our development
effort of engineered wood structures to
their installation and maintenance, instead
of continuing to develop newer, more
exotic products the long-term
performances of which are not yet
understood”.
Bodig, J. (2005). Wood Engineering Mechanics – Some Personal
Observations. Wood and Fiber Science Journal of the Society of Wood
Science and Technology. Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 1-2.
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5. Doubled I-Joist Beam
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6. Doubled I-Joist Beam
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7. Cut I-Joist Beam
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8. Truss Bearing
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9. I-Joist Flange Cut
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10. Notched LVL Beams
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11. Goal
• Develop:
• Inspection methodology
• Engineered wood and hangers
• Prescriptive non-compliance
• Software Application
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12. Scope
• Types of EWP components
• High-risk problem areas
• Authoritative references
• Inspection techniques
• Computer software
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13. Methods
• Qualitative Research Approach
• Modified Delphi Method
• Iterative Process
• High Face Validity
• Subject Matter Experts
• Obtain information
• Revise methodology, software
• Expert approval of revisions
• Validation
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14. Software
• Features:
• Engineered wood products (EWPs)
• High-risk aspects of EWPs
• Authoritative reference sources
• Inspection methodology & techniques
• Generate the inspection report
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15. Features
Techniques
Problem
Selections
Illustrations
Component
Selected Pre-Written Comments
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16. Components
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17. Problems
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18. Comments
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19. Illustrations
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20. Techniques
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21. Summary
• Manufactured Products: • Authoritative Standards:
• MPCWT • No Single Source
• I-Joists • Difficult to Understand
• OSB Sheathing
• SCL Beams, Columns • Inspection Techniques:
• Rim Joists • No Standard Methods
• Hanger Hardware • Component-Specific
• Zone-Specific
• High-Risk Problems: • Software Application:
• Component-Specific • Inspection Resource
• Zone-Specific • Training Tool
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22. Questions?
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