Hi Ghrrum,

To add to all the good advice thus submitted, I would suggest trying to find the closest PE that works with timber framers and/or the TFG and have a discussion.

For those of us that have been doing this a while, I can say that your desire to "front load" your own math is admirable and good practice. It demonstrates to a PE that you are really making an effort to design well. Also understand that "engineering" a living material like wood is as much an art as it is a science...and "the math" is based on charts that are in turn based on averages in a spectrum...None of this is "hard fact" but "good guess."

I would also suggest a lot of "field study" with as many Master Timberwrights as you are able to find, and also study dendrology, botanizing, traditional vernacular building modalities as they apply to timber frames in all disciplines...not just one, as well as take a timber grading class.

Good Luck,

j