Frank E. Woeste, Ph.D., P.E. is Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech and Adjunct Professor of Wood Science and Forest Products. Since 1972, he has researched the design, installation, and performance of metal-plate-connected wood trusses and the engineering properties of lumber. His recent research is focused on the inspection and design of wood decks and balconies; and jointly with Dr. Loferski, they have produced a manual for the inspection of wood decks and balconies. Frank is the lead author of "Wood Bits" that appears three times annually in the International Code Council (www.iccsafe.org) magazine Building Safety.
Performance of Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Trusses
Truss Bracing
Wood Building Design
Residential Floor Vibration Control
Lumber Strength
Post-Frame Building Design
Deck and Balcony Design
Ceramic Tile on Wood Joists
Refereed Journal Publications
Carradine, David M., Donald A. Bender, Frank E. Woeste, and Joseph R. Loferski.
2007.
Development of design capacities for residential deck ledger connections.
Forest Products Journal
57(3):29-33.
Carradine, David M., Donald Bender, Joseph R. Loferski, and Frank E. Woeste.
2006.
Residential deck ledger connection testing and design.
Wood Design Focus
16(2):9-12.
Loferski, Joseph R. and Frank E. Woeste.
2006.
Residential Deck Ledger Connection Testing and Design.
Wood Design Focus
16(2):9-12.
Loferski, Joseph R., Dustin Albright, and Frank E. Woeste.
2006.
Tested Guardrail Post Connections for Residential Decks.
Wood Design Focus
16(2):13-18.
Woeste, F. E. and J. R. Loferski.
2005.
Wood Bits: Minimum details and specifications for permitting residential decks.
Building Safety
3(2):4-7.
Loferski, J. R., F. E. Woeste, D. Albright, and R. Caudill.
2005.
Strong rail-post connections for wooden decks.
Journal of Light Construction
23(5):65-71.
Martin, Z. and F. E. Woeste.
2005.
Wood Bits: Designing residential walls with large openings.
Building Safety
3(4):6-9.
Carradine, D. M., D. A. Bender, J. R. Loferski, and F. E. Woeste.
2005.
Wood Bits: Residential deck ledger design.
Building Safety Journal
December, pp. 4-7.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste, J. D. Dolan, and J. R. Loferski.
2004.
Diaphragm behavior and design of laterally loaded timber frame and structural insulated panel buildings.
Wood Design Focus
14(3):18-22.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste, J. D. Dolan, and J. R. Loferski.
2004.
Utilizing diaphragm action for wind load design of timber frame and structural insulated panel buildings.
Forest Products Journal
54(5):73-80.
Shea, G., T. Osterberger, and F. E. Woeste.
2004.
Evaluating tall residential walls for code conformance.
Building Safety
2(6):4-6.
Loferski, J., F. Woeste, R. Caudill, T. Platt, and Q. Smith.
2004.
Load-tested deck ledger connections.
Journal of Light Construction
22(6):71-78.
Theilen, R. and F. E. Woeste.
2004.
Recommended protocol for I-joist repairs.
Building Safety
2(3):20-21.
Anderson, C. A., F. E. Woeste, and J. R. Loferski.
2003.
Attaching deck ledgers.
Journal of Light Construction
21(11):81-87.
Tichy, R., Bender, D. A., and F. E. Woeste.
2003.
Wood Bits: Wood-plastic composite decks.
Building Safety
1(4):38-40.
Shrestha, D., D. A. Bender, and F. E. Woeste.
2003.
T-Brace design for MPC wood truss webs.
Forest Products Journal
53(1):61-66.
Smart, J. V., F. E. Woeste, and J. R. Loferski.
2003.
Potential thermal degradation of attic framing and wood sheathing.
ASCE Practice Periodical on Structural Design
8(4):203-208.
O’Regan, P. J. and F. E. Woeste.
2002.
Withdrawal strength of punched metal tooth plates in Red Oak end grain.
Forest Products Journal
52(10):82-88.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste, and J. D. Dolan.
2002.
History of diaphragm design for post-frame structures.
Wood Design Focus
12(3):16-19.
Underwood, C. R., F. E. Woeste, J. D. Dolan and S. M. Holzer.
2001.
Permanent bracing design for MPC wood roof truss webs and chords.
Forest Products Journal
51(7/8):73-81.
Via, B. K., A. Zink-Sharp, F. E. Woeste and J. D. Dolan.
2001.
Influence of specific gravity on embedment gaps in metal-plate-connected truss joints.
Forest Products Journal
51(10):88-92.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste, J. D. Dolan, and J. R. Loferski.
2000.
Demonstration of wind load design for timber frame structures using diaphragm action.
Transactions of ASAE
43(3):729-734.
Wilson, A. C., F. E. Woeste, and J. D. Dolan.
2000.
Wood floor vibrational performance as affected by MSR vs. VSR lumber E-distribution.
Forest Products Journal
50(4):53-60.
Underwood, C. R. and F. E. Woeste.
2000.
Conceptual model for temporary bracing of MPC Wood trusses.
ASCE Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
5(1):36-40.
Woeste, F. E.
1999.
Impact of permanent diagonal bracing on different MPC wood truss types..
ASCE Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
4(1):21-23.
Johnson, E. and F. Woeste.
1999.
Connection design methodology for structural composite lumber.
Wood Design Focus
10(4):15-20.
Via, B. V., A. Zink-Sharp, F. E. Woeste, J. D. Dolan.
1999.
Relationship between tooth withdrawal strength and specific gravity.
Forest Products Journal
49(7/8):56-63.
Woeste, F. E. and J. D. Dolan.
1998.
Beyond code: Preventing floor vibration.
Journal of Light Construction
17(1):69-71.
O’ Regan, P. J., F. E. Woeste, and D. B. Brakemen.
1998.
Design procedure for the lateral resistance of tension splice joints in MPC wood trusses.
Forest Products Journal
48(6):66-69.
Woeste, F. E.
1998.
Permanent bracing for piggy-back trusses.
Journal of Light Construction
16(6):79-83.
Woeste, F. E.
1998.
Strongbacks in floor trusses.
Journal of Light Construction
16(9):22,24.
O’ Regan, P. J., F. E. Woeste, and S. Lewis.
1998.
Design procedure for the steel net-section of tension splice joints in MPC wood trusses.
Forest Products Journal
48(5):35-42.
Durrans, S. R., M. H. Triche, S. E. Taylor, and F. E. Woeste.
1997.
Parameter and quantile estimation for the distributions of failure strength of structural lumber.
Forest Products Journal
47(4):80-88.
Woeste, F. E. and J. D. Dolan.
1997.
Sizing stiff floor girders.
Journal of Light Construction
15(11):60-61.
Lenth, C. A., J. R. Loferski, F. E. Woeste, and L. M. Johnson.
1996.
Comparing the bending stiffness of domestic and imported pinus elliottii radius edge decking.
Forest Products Journal
46(9):57-61.
Woeste, F. E.
1996.
A proposed rule of thumb for controlling annoying vibrations in residential floors.
Wood Design Focus
7(1):21-23.
Woeste, F. E.
1995.
Commentary on WTCA 1 1995 as it pertains to building designers.
Wood Design Focus
6(4):25-27.
Taylor, S. E., M. H. Triche, D. A. Bender, and F. E. Woeste.
1995.
Monte Carlo simulation methods for engineered wood systems.
Forest Products Journal
45(7/8):43-50.
Skaggs, T. D., F. E. Woeste, and S. L. Lewis.
1995.
Steel properties used to manufacture wood truss metal connector plates.
Transaction of ASAE
38(1):187-195.
Dolan, J. D., F. E. Woeste, and X. Li.
1995.
Effect of imposed load on solid-sawn wood-joist floor vibrations.
Forest Products Journal
45(1):71-76.
Skaggs, T. D., F. E. Woeste, J. D. Dolan, and J. R. Loferski.
1994.
Safety factors for metal-plate-connected wood trusses: Theoretical design versus test specifications.
Forest Products Journal
44(9):11-18.
Kalkert, R. E., J. D. Dolan, and F. E. Woeste.
1993.
The current status of analysis and design for annoying wooden floor vibrations.
Wood and Fiber Science
25(3):305-314.
Skaggs, T. D., F. E. Woeste, and D. A. Bender.
1993.
A simple analysis procedure for calculating post forces.
Applied Engineering in Agriculture
9(2):253-259.
Zhao, W., F. E. Woeste, and D. A. Bender.
1992.
Effect of span-length on the reliability of truss bottom chords.
Transactions of ASAE
35(1):303-310.
Wirt, D. L., F. E. Woeste, D. E. Kline, and T. E. McLain.
1992.
Design procedures for post-frame end walls.
Applied Engineering in Agriculture
8(1):97-105.
Woeste, F. E. and M. Townsend.
1991.
Simple-beam diaphragm test considerations.
Applied Engineering in Agriculture
7(5):613-616.
Wirt, D. L., F. E. Woeste, T. E. McLain, and G. E. Richardson.
1991.
Nail-laminated wall columns using differential lumber grades.
Applied Engineering in Agriculture
7(1):113-116.
Heatwole, E. L., F. E. Woeste, and D. W. Green.
1991.
Allowable bending strength enhancement of 2 by 4 lumber by tension and compression proof loading.
Wood and Fiber Science
23(1):1-14.
Zhao, W. and F. E. Woeste.
1991.
Influence of correlation on tensile strength prediction of lumber.
Forest Products Journal
41(2):45-48.
Bender, D. A., T. D. Skaggs, and F. E. Woeste.
1991.
Rigid roof design for post-frame buildings.
Applied Engineering in Agriculture
7(6):755-760.
Kirk, L. S., T. E. McLain, and F. E. Woeste.
1989.
Effect of gap size on performance of metal plated joints in compression.
Wood and Fiber Science Journal
21(3):274-288.
McLain, T. E. and F. E. Woeste.
1988.
Proof test damage evaluation with southern pine lumber.
Forest Products Journal
38(5):31-32.
Suddarth, S. K. and F. E. Woeste.
1988.
Considerations in applying simplified reliability based design to structural wood products.
Forest Products Journal
38(9):53-56.
Woeste, F. E., T. E. McLain, and T. D. Mischen.
1988.
A comparison of five laminated wall column designs.
Applied Engineering in Agriculture
4(1):72-75.
Woeste, F. E., D. W. Green, K. A. Tarbell, and L. A. Marin.
1987.
Proof loading to assure lumber strength.
Wood and Fiber Science Journal
19(3):283-297.
McLain, T. E. and F. E. Woeste.
1987.
Proof test damage evaluation with southern pine.
Forest Products Journal
38(5):31-32.
Kline, D. E., F. E. Woeste, and B. A. Bendtsen.
1986.
Stochastic model for modulus of elasticity of lumber.
Wood and Fiber Science
18(2):228-238.
Thurmond, M. B., F. E. Woeste, and D. W. Green.
1986.
Floor loads for the reliability analysis of lumber properties data.
Wood and Fiber Science Journal
18(1):187-207.
McLain, T. E. and F. E. Woeste.
1986.
Rate of loading adjustment for proof testing of lumber in tension.
Forest Products Journal
36(9):51-54.
Galligan, W. L., P. W. McClellan, and F. E. Woeste.
1985.
The influence of changes in allowable stresses on wood truss design.
Forest Products Journal
35(5):36-44.
Hamon, D. C., F. E. Woeste, and D. W. Green.
1985.
Influence of lumber property correlations on roof truss reliability.
Transactions of ASAE
28(5):1618-1625.
Snodgrass, D. V. and F. E. Woeste.
1984.
Machine stress rating (MSR) of green Douglas fir.
Wood and Fiber Science
16(4):486-497.
Thurmond, M. B., F. E. Woeste, and D. W. Green.
1984.
Roof loads for reliability analysis of lumber properties data.
Wood and Fiber Science
16(2):278-297.
Woeste, F. E., A. L. DeBonis, T. E. McLain, and J. V. Perumpral.
1984.
Bending proof load as a quality control for compression parallel to grain in lumber.
Transactions of ASAE
27(6):1859-1861, 1870.
White, R. H., E. L. Schaffer, and F. E. Woeste.
1984.
Replicate fire endurance tests of an unprotected wood joists floor assembly.
Wood and Fiber Science
16(3):374-390.
Hamon, D. C., F. E. Woeste, and K. B. Rojiani.
1983.
Simulation of lognormal modulus of elasticity data.
Transactions of ASAE
26(3):867-871.
Marin, L. A. and F. E. Woeste.
1982.
Reverse proof loading of lumber.
Forest Products Journal
32(10):53-55.
Marin, L. A. and F. E. Woeste.
1981.
Reverse proof loading as a means of quality control in lumber manufacturing.
Transactions of ASAE
24(5):1273-1277,1281.
DeBonis, A. L., F. E. Woeste, and T. E. McLain.
1980.
Rate of loading influence on Southern Pine 2x4's in bending.
Forest Products Journal
30(11):34-37.
Woeste, F. E., H. A. Hughes, and S. K. Suddarth.
1980.
Independent roof sections for long buildings to resist snow loads.
Transactions of ASAE
23(4):968-972.
Woeste, F. E. and K. B. Rojiani.
1980.
Reliability of multiple 2x4's used as truss lower chords.
Transactions of ASAE
23(2):427-430.
Woeste, F. E., S. K. Suddarth, W. L. Galligan.
1979.
The simulation of correlated lumber properties data a regression approach.
Wood Science
12(2):73-79.
Suddarth, S. K. and F. E. Woeste.
1977.
Influences of variability in load and modulus of elasticity on wood column strength.
Wood Science
10(2):62-67.
Suddarth, S. K., F. E. Woeste, and J. T. P. Yao.
1975.
Effect of E variability on the deflection behavior of a structure.
Forest Products Journal
25(1):17-20.
Trade Journal Publications
Loferski, J. R., F. E. Woeste, D. Albright, and R. Caudill.
2006.
Load tested guardrail post connections.
Professional Deck Builder 4(2):48, 50, 52, 54, 56, and 58.
Loferski, Joseph R., Frank E. Woeste, Dustin G. Albright, and Rick A. Caudill.
2005.
Load Tested Guardrail Post Connections.
Professional Deck Builder4(2):48-59.
Loferski, Joseph R., Frank E. Woeste, Dustin G. Albright, and Rick A. Caudill.
2005.
Strong Rail-Post Connections for Wooden Decks.
Journal of Light Construction23(5):65-71.
Woeste, Frank E. and Joseph R. Loferski.
2005.
Minimum Details and Specifications for Permitting Residential Decks.
Building Safety JournalApril, pp. 4-7.
Loferski, J. R., F. E. Woeste, and M. A. Billings.
2004.
Deck ledger connection design.
Professional Deck Builder 3(3):56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66-67.
Woeste, F. E. and P. A. Nielsen.
2004.
Position of underlayment to prevent cracked tile and grout.
Tile Letter June, pp. 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48.
Carrier, A. and F. E. Woeste.
2002.
Wood Bits: Drifts on lower roofs.
Building Standards 71(2):7-9.
Anderson, C., F. E. Woeste, and D. A Bender.
2002.
Substituting T-braces for continuous lateral braces on wood truss webs.
Frame Building News 14(3):36-40.
Anderson, C. A., J. R. Loferski, and F. E. Woeste.
2002.
Wood Bits: Detecting early wood decay.
Building Standards 71(4):6-7.
Gay, S. W. and F. E. Woeste.
2002.
Selecting a post-frame contractor.
Frame Building News 15(3):16-17.
Anderson, C.A., F.E. Woeste and D. Bender.
2002.
Wood Bits: Checking T-brace capacity on wood truss webs.
Building Standards 71(6):5-10.
Woeste, F. E. and D. A. Bender.
2001.
Wood Bits: Shrinkage of framing lumber.
Building Standards 70(6):10-13.
Bretzfield, K. and F. E. Woeste.
2001.
Wood Bits: Bolt design at an angle simplified.
Building Standards 70(4):12-15.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste and S. M. Kent.
2001.
SIPs and SSPs are not the same.
Timber Framing June, pp. 4-5.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste and S. M. Kent.
2001.
SIP’s and SSP’s are not the same.
Timber Framing, Number 60 June, pp. 8-9.
Carradine, D. M., F. E. Woeste and J. R. Loferski.
2001.
Wood Bits: Improving building durability.
Building Standards 70(2):6-8.
Woeste, F. E., C. R. Underwood and J. D. Dolan.
2001.
Wood truss permanent web bracing design.
Frame Building News 13(3):38-42.
Woeste, F. E.
2000.
Wood Bits: Preventing excessive beam deflection in critical applications.
Building Standards 69(4):14-15.
Woeste, F. E.
2000.
Wood Bits: Connection design for structural composite lumber.
Building Standards 69(2):21-22, 35, 38.
Woeste, F. E.
2000.
Wood Bits: Preventing annoying floor vibration.
Building Standards 69(6):9-10.
Woeste, F. E.
1999.
Wood truss bracing.
Building Standards 68(6):7,60.
Woeste, F. E.
1997.
Snow load considerations for widely spaced long-span wood trusses.
Automated Builder 34(4):30-31.
Woeste, F. E.
1994.
Post-frame construction.
The Construction Specifier 47(8):40-42,44-46.
Other Publications
Loferski, Joseph R., Dustin Albright, and Frank Woeste.
2007.
Tested Guardrail Post Connections for Residential Decks.
Structure magazine, July, pp. 55-59.
Anderson, C., Loferski, J., and Woeste, F.
2003.
Detecting Early Wood Decay.
ICBO Building Standards. July/August.
Bretzfield, K. T. and F. E. Woeste.
2003.
Joist curvature verses sheathing curvature and the probable role of each on ceramic tile performance.
TTMAC HARDSURFACE Magazine, TTMAC, 30 Capstan Gate, Unit 5, Concord, Ontario, Canada.
Gay, S. W. and F. E. Woeste.
2001.
Selecting a post-frame building contractor.
Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Publication Number 442-761, Blacksburg, VA.
www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-761/442-761.html
.
Terry, A. M., F. E. Woeste, B. A. Bendtsen, and J. W. Evans.
1991.
Gripped end effect in tensile proof testing dimension lumber.
FPL Research Paper 496, U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.
Schaffer, E. L., R. H. White, and F. E. Woeste.
1988.
Fire endurance model validation by unprotected joist floor fire testing.
USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI 53705-2398. www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1988/schaf88a.pdf.
Showalter, K. L., F. E. Woeste, and B. A. Bendtsen.
1987.
Effect of length on tensile strength in structural lumber.
FPL Research Paper 482, U. S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 9p.
Schaffer, E. L., C. Marx, D. A. Bender, and F. E. Woeste.
1986.
Strength validation and fire endurance of glue laminated beams.
Research Paper 467, U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 16p. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrp/fplrp467.pdf
.
Bender, D. A., F. E. Woeste, E. L. Schaffer, and C. Marx.
1985.
Reliability formulation for the strength and fire endurance of glue laminated beams.
FPL 460, U. S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 43p.
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrp/fplrp460.pdf
.
Woeste, F. E. and E. L. Schaffer.
1981.
Reliability analysis of fire exposed light frame wood floor assemblies.
FPL 386, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 15p.
Schaffer, E. L., and F. E. Woeste.
1981.
Reliability analysis of a fire exposed unprotected floor truss.
Metal Plate Wood Truss Conference, Forest Prod. Res. Soc., Madison, WI, pp. 131-137.
Woeste, F. E. and E. L. Schaffer.
1979.
Second moment reliability analysis of fire exposed wood joist floor assemblies.
International Journal of Fire and Materials 3(3): 126-131
.
Suddarth, S. K. and F. E. Woeste, and W. L. Galligan.
1977.
Differential reliability: Probabilistic engineering applied to wood members in bending/tension.
FPL 302, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U. S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 16p.
Woeste, F. E.
1975.
Truss reliability as related to variability in modulus of elasticity of the constituent members.
Ph.D. Dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Conference Proceedings
Loferski, Joseph R and Frank Woeste.
2007.
Residential deck and balcony safety: Design and testing of residential guardrails.
World Conference on Timber Engineering, August 6-10, pp. 1-8.
Presentations
Loferski, Joseph R. and Frank E. Woeste.
2006.
Design and testing of residential deck guardrails connections.
World Conference on Timber Engineering, Portland, Oregon, August.
Short Courses / Continuing Education
Structural Design of Residential Decks.
Instructor: Joseph R. Loferski and Frank E. Woeste.
Location: Dulles, VA.
Dates: January 30-31, 2008.
Structural Design With Wood.
Instructor: Joseph Loferski, Frank Woeste, and Donald Bender.
Location: Blacksburg, VA.
Dates: April 15-17, 2008.
Structural design with wood.
Instructor: Woeste, Frank E., Joseph R. Loferski, and Donald Bender.
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia.
Dates: April 3-5.
Structural Design with Wood.
Instructor: Frank E. Woeste, Donald A. Bender, and Joseph R. Loferski.
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia.
Dates: April 26-28, 2005.
Frank E. Woeste
Professor Emeritus
Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products
work:
540-951-0469
Performance of Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Trusses