imber frame houses

huangyhg

timber frame houses
hello,
i have been approached by a timber frame manufacturing company that needs engineering services. i have some experience in wood design but have not designed a timber frame before. was wondering if anyone on this site could offer any advice. tongue and mortice joints are used, white pine or oak seems to be the material of choice.
tia
from what i understand its fairly specialized.  i know these guys know what they're doing:
i have done two .... and was sadly disappointed by the info supplied by the mfgs!!  some didn't even know what grades they were using.  some say they had "engineering" - but when i reviewed it - obviously it was most inadequate.  one even admitted his design was at least 33% over-stressed.  
of course - they always say "we have been doing this for years w/o any problems"  and that is probably true..
they mostly sell in uncoded or unenforced areas.
my suggestions:
   get complete plans
   get "any" engineering they say they have done
   get exact timber specs
   get framing details
   get all anchorage details
   etc, etc, etc.
actaully - the only way i showed one ok was becasue they were using tested sip roof and walls and it did work ok - just barely
the other - after some quick calcs - i refused - way out of line.
these can be very beautiful structures - just make sure the engineering falls in line....
really - if you can get roof diaphrams and shear walls working - they will be just fine.
do you have a good timber design text? and... do you have the national design specification for wood construction (nds)?