"Factored" loads increase the design burden based on the uncertainty of the load type (e.g., higher factors for live loads vs. dead loads).
The choice often depends on the specific project requirements or the engineer's preference: LRFD versus ASD for Wood Design
Remains the historical standard for wood and is widely used due to its simplicity and the extensive existing library of hardware catalogs based on ASD. Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Structural wood design: ASD/LRFD
Standard in steel and concrete design and gradually gaining ground in the wood industry. ⚖️ Key Differences for Designers Load Factors Usually 1.0 (unfactored) Multipliers > 1.0 (e.g., 1.2, 1.6) Material Strength Reduced by Factor of Safety Multiplied by resistance factor ( Calculations Stress-based ( Strength-based ( Efficiency Can be conservative for mixed loads More efficient for transient load combinations 🪵 Why Choose One Over the Other?
Modern, reliability-based method that uses statistical probability . "Factored" loads increase the design burden based on
Applies a single Factor of Safety to the material's ultimate strength to determine "allowable" stresses. Loads: Uses actual expected (unfactored) service loads.
Traditional, deterministic method based on elastic design . Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Standard in
Applies separate factors to both loads (Load Factors) and material strength (Resistance Factors).