Designing for Durability and Safety: Seismic, Fire, and Construction Considerations for Mass Timber Connections
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August 26, 2025; 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Michelle Kam-Biron, PE, SE, F.SEAOC
Mass timber continues to rise in popularity for its sustainability and structural performance - but ensuring the safety and longevity of these systems requires careful attention to connection design. This webinar examines how mass timber beam connections can meet critical requirements for seismic deformation compatibility, fire resistance, and durability during and after construction.
Presenters will review key provisions from ASCE 7, IBC, and CSA O86:24, and share findings from recent testing on concealed beam hangers and steel fasteners. Attendees will learn how to detail connections that perform reliably under seismic drift, fire exposure, and fluctuating environmental conditions common on construction sites. Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
Speaker Bio
Michelle Kam-Biron is a licensed structural engineer in California with a diverse background in structural engineering consulting, building codes and standards, education, and mass timber manufacturing and sales. She currently works as a Senior Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie, specializing in codes, compliance, and mass timber. Her experience includes roles at mass timber manufacturing companies- Structurlam, Boise Cascade, Kaleskinoff, as well as with the wood industry with WoodWorks and the American Wood Council. Michelle volunteers on various committees and is a past President of SEAOSC. She has received the Susan M. Frey NCSEA Educator Award and is a SEAOC College of Fellows inductee.
Bob Leichti, Manager of Engineering for Fastening Systems. Prior to joining Simpson Strong-Tie in 2012, Bob was an Engineering Manager covering structural fasteners, hand tools, regulatory compliance and code reports for a major manufacturer of power tools and equipment. Prior to that, Bob was a Professor in the Department of Wood Science and Engineering at Oregon State University. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Auburn University.
August 26, 2025; 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Michelle Kam-Biron, PE, SE, F.SEAOC
Mass timber continues to rise in popularity for its sustainability and structural performance - but ensuring the safety and longevity of these systems requires careful attention to connection design. This webinar examines how mass timber beam connections can meet critical requirements for seismic deformation compatibility, fire resistance, and durability during and after construction.
Presenters will review key provisions from ASCE 7, IBC, and CSA O86:24, and share findings from recent testing on concealed beam hangers and steel fasteners. Attendees will learn how to detail connections that perform reliably under seismic drift, fire exposure, and fluctuating environmental conditions common on construction sites. Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Interpret Code Requirements Identify and apply relevant provisions from ASCE 7, IBC, and CSA O86:24 related to seismic deformation compatibility, fire resistance, and steel fastener performance in mass timber construction.
- Evaluate Testing Methodologies Describe how experimental testing - such as fire resistance and cyclic deformation tests - can validate connection performance and inform design decisions.
- Detail for Performance and Durability Explain key detailing considerations for mass timber connections to address seismic drift, fire exposure, and environmental effects during construction.
- Apply Engineered Design Strategies Integrate tested connection systems and fastener specifications into mass timber designs to enhance safety, code compliance, and long-term durability.
Speaker Bio
Michelle Kam-Biron is a licensed structural engineer in California with a diverse background in structural engineering consulting, building codes and standards, education, and mass timber manufacturing and sales. She currently works as a Senior Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie, specializing in codes, compliance, and mass timber. Her experience includes roles at mass timber manufacturing companies- Structurlam, Boise Cascade, Kaleskinoff, as well as with the wood industry with WoodWorks and the American Wood Council. Michelle volunteers on various committees and is a past President of SEAOSC. She has received the Susan M. Frey NCSEA Educator Award and is a SEAOC College of Fellows inductee.
Bob Leichti, Manager of Engineering for Fastening Systems. Prior to joining Simpson Strong-Tie in 2012, Bob was an Engineering Manager covering structural fasteners, hand tools, regulatory compliance and code reports for a major manufacturer of power tools and equipment. Prior to that, Bob was a Professor in the Department of Wood Science and Engineering at Oregon State University. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Auburn University.
Michelle Kam-Biron is a licensed structural engineer in California with a diverse background in structural engineering consulting, building codes and standards, education, and mass timber manufacturing and sales. She currently works as a Senior Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie, specializing in codes, compliance, and mass timber. Her experience includes roles at mass timber manufacturing companies- Structurlam, Boise Cascade, Kaleskinoff, as well as with the wood industry with WoodWorks and the American Wood Council. Michelle volunteers on various committees and is a past President of SEAOSC. She has received the Susan M. Frey NCSEA Educator Award and is a SEAOC College of Fellows inductee.