The 2027 SDPWS culminates five years of technical development and two years of consensus-based balloting. By integrating these updated provisions, designers can now utilize the Post-Tensioned Timber Rocking Wall and a high-capacity, one-sided shear wall system. These additions aim to validate wood as a viable material for projects facing the most rigorous seismic and wind performance demands.
American Wood Council Releases 2027 Wind and Seismic Design Standard
Engineers working in high-hazard regions have gained new technical capabilities following the American Wood Council’s publication of the 2027 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic. Approved by the American National Standards Institute, the updated standard introduces construction systems designed to withstand extreme environmental forces.
Beyond new systems, the standard features revised provisions for cross-laminated timber diaphragms. These updates incorporate data from full-scale testing, aligning the standard with seismic force reduction factors expected in the upcoming ASCE 7-28. Brad Douglas, Vice President of Engineering at the American Wood Council, noted that the release provides tested, research-based tools to support design confidence in challenging climates. The organization plans to follow this release with updates to its foundation, fire design, and wood-frame construction specifications throughout the year.
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