Mid-Rise Wood Design & MSU Mass Timber Tour

Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 at 11:00 AM
751 West Grant Street, Room 233 Room 233, Bozeman, MT 59715Bozeman, MT

About This Event

Regional In-Person Seminar + Tour (Bozeman, MT)

This presentation is intended for structural engineers who are seeking a full system understanding of unique design considerations associated with 4- to 6-story multi-family wood buildings. Developed in response to growing interest in these projects, this presentation goes beyond code provisions and focuses on the “how-to” associated with their structural design. Topics will include structural design steps, considerations, and detailing best practices related to both gravity and lateral analysis. Shrinkage will be covered in detail, including its cause, effect on structural components, and detailing best practices that minimize and accommodate shrinkage where it occurs. Gravity framing design will be discussed with an emphasis on two commonly overlooked topics: floor vibration and stacked bearing wall loads. Lateral design topics will include diaphragm design and flexibility analysis, shear and overturning force transfer mechanisms, and lateral displacement checks for stacked, multi-story wood-frame structures.

Following the seminar, see another approach to wood construction firsthand with a tour of Montana State University’s first mass timber building—the newly opened, 55,000-square-foot School of Computing – Gianforte Hall. Attendees will explore the project’s hybrid structural systems and learn how design decisions, detailing, construction sequencing, and sustainability considerations came together in the finished building.

Agenda:

Seminar: 11:00 – 12:00pm

Lunch and Tour: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Credits: Attendees can earn 2.0 AIA/CES HSW LU, 2.0 PDH credits or 0.20 ICC credits

Speaker:

Emmy Hoa Tran, PE | WoodWorks

Emmy is a licensed professional engineer in Colorado with experience in structural design for multi-family, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Driven by her passion for sustainable construction, Emmy is focused on helping AEC+D professionals explore opportunities in light-frame and mass timber design for the betterment of the environment and society. She is a proud alumna of the Colorado School of Mines, holding BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering.

Location:

Strand Union Building

Rm 233

751 W Grant Street

Bozeman, MT. 59715

Map & Directions

Parking information:

Visitor parking is located on the first floor and part of the second floor in the parking garage for max of $12 per day.

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss wood’s shrinkage potential and causes, identify shrinkage effects on structural and non-structural components, and review detailing best practices to minimize the effects of shrinkage
  • Highlight structural implications of utilizing fire retardant-treated wood in exterior wall assemblies of Type III construction.
  • Review floor vibration design checks and associated criteria for residential occupancies in wood-frame construction
  • Explain important lateral engineering issues—such as diaphragm flexibility, shear wall configuration options and design, and load path continuity—that must be considered to successfully design a mid-rise wood structure.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Jaime Krohn, CMP | jaime@woodworks.org | 312.841.8272

Photo: Gianforte Hall, Montana State University, Hennebery Eddy Architects, Lake Flato Architects, DCI Engineers, Rendering courtesy Hennebery Eddy Architects and Lake Flato Architects

See more events in Bozeman →

More Events in Bozeman

See more events in Bozeman →
Quiet Study & Work - Bozeman, MT

Quiet Study & Work

November 11th, 2026
161 West Haley Springs Road #unit 104, Bozeman, MT 59718Bozeman, MT

Quiet Study & Work at Regus on Haley Springs Road! Come into Regus for a new modern quiet workspace with free Wi-Fi & cup of Coffee! Stop by Wednesday afternoons from 1:00

Politics & PIzza:  Montana Before Statehood - Bozeman, MT

Politics & PIzza: Montana Before Statehood

November 12th, 2026
902 W Grant Street Room 008, Bozeman, MT 59715Bozeman, MT

Join us for an evening free pizza and stories about MT's colorful past prior to statehood. Presented by Austin Haney of Humanities Montana.

Hacks & Hops 2026: Montana - Bozeman, MT

Hacks & Hops 2026: Montana

November 20th, 2026
10 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 55421Bozeman, MT

FRSecure's traveling infosec conference is coming back to Bozeman! As we return, we're confident we can maximize comfort and connection—letting the community, conversations, and c

Get Tickets