
The National Design Specification for Wood
Construction (NDS) was first issued by the Na-
tional Lumber Manufacturers Association (now the
American Wood Council (AWC) in 1944, under the
title National Design Specification for Stress-Grade
Lumber and Its Fastenings. By 1971, the scope of
the Specification had broadened to include additional
wood products. In 1977, the title was changed to
reflect the new nature of the Specification, and the
content was rearranged to simplify its use. The 1991
edition was reorganized in an easier to use "equation
format", and many sections were rewritten to provide
greater clarity
In 1992, the American Forest & Paper Association
(AF&PA) - formerly the National Forest Products
Association-was accredited as a canvass sponsor by
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The Specification subsequently gained approval as an
American National Standard designated ANSI/NF.PA
NDS-1991 with an approval date of October 16, 1992.
In 2010, AWC was separately incorporated, re-
chartered, and accredited by ANSI as a standards
developing organization. The current edition of the
Standard is designated ANSI/AWC NDS-2018 with
an approval date of November 16, 2017
in developing the provisions of this Specification,
the most reliable data available from laboratory tests
and experience with structures in service have been
carefully analyzed and evaluated for the purpose of
providing in convenient form, a national standard
of practice.
It is intended that this Specification be used in
conjunction with competent engineering design,
accurate fabrication, and adequate supervision of
construction. Particular attention is directed to Sec-
tion 2.1.2, relating to the designer's responsibility to
2
make adjustments
for particular end uses of structures.
Since the first edition of the NDS in 1944, the
Association's Technical Advisory Committee has
continued to study and evaluate new data and devel-
opments in wood design. Subsequent editions of the
Specification have included appropriate revisions to
provide for use of such new information. This edi-
tion incorporates numerous changes considered by
AWC's ANSI-accredited Wood Design Standards
Committee. The contributions of members of this
Committee to improvement of the Specification as a
national design standard for wood construction are
especially recognized.
Details
- Publication Date
- May 18, 2022
- Language
- English
- Category
- Engineering
- Copyright
- No Known Copyright (Public Domain)
- Contributors
- By (author): american wood council, By (author): american wood c
Specifications
- Format