Designing Using LRFD Principles

What is LRFD? LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design) principles are used in structural engineering applications so structural reliability is more consistent across various materials and loading conditions. This concept becomes particularly important in performance-based design scenarios when the structural engineering solutions are required to address how the structure is used and expected to perform – and not prescriptive building codes. This interactive, online course will review load factors, resistance factors, and reliability theory. We will also discuss the four material types (wood, steel, concrete, and masonry), looking at how each of these material standards deal with LRFD design.

Request a demo

Course Details

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify LRFD principles for concrete, masonry, wood and steel design
  • Explain why this design method will yield more economical results when faced with a performance-based design problem
  • Select factors of safety to avoid collapse or severe structural deformation
  • Compare results of the LRFD design method with the Allowable Stress Method for a limited number of members so a cost comparison of the two solution methods can be made

Specs

Course Level Intermediate
Languages English
Compatibility Audio, WebCast, MobileReady

William Coulbourne, P.E., F. ASCE, F. SEI

Mr. Coulbourne has a BS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Structural Engineering from the University of Virginia. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in three states. He is a national expert in wind and flood mitigation and has been involved in FEMA Mitigation Assessment Teams and natural hazard damage assessments for 20 years. He has been involved as an investigator or Project Manager with every major hurricane, tornado and flood since 1995, and was involved in a building collapse caused by terrorism and a tsunami in Japan. He has investigated failures and mitigation design techniques for thousands of buildings including residential structures, schools used as shelters, hospitals, and other critical facilities. He holds Certifications in Structural Engineering and Building Inspection Engineering. Mr. Coulbourne has written articles for journals and given presentations, seminars and webinars for homebuilders, engineers, architects, building officials and homeowners on high wind and flood design and coastal construction issues and has taught as an Adjunct Faculty member in the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware. He was the primary author and Project Manager for FEMA 55: Coastal Construction Manual. He has co-authored books and journal articles on high wind design issues and strategies including Guides to the Wind Load Provisions of ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10, an ATC Design Guide on Basic Wind Engineering for Low-Rise Buildings and a book on Engineering Investigations of Hurricane Damage for ASCE. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a Fellow in the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE. He actively participates on the ASCE engineering standards committees for ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 24 Flood Resistant Design and Construction, and a new standards committee for improving tornado wind speeds using the EF Scale. Mr. Coulbourne is a member of the Florida International Wall of Wind Technical Advisory Panel, a member of an Expert Panel for the Texas Department of Insurance investigating methods for determining hurricane damage caused by wind and water, a member of ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission Executive Committee, a Board Member of the American Association of Wind Engineering, and a newly elected member into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni of the Via Department of Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech.

Course Applies To

Demos + Pricing

Learn more about our courses, get pricing, and see our platform.

Trusted by 24,000+ Industry Leaders