National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020 is the latest edition of the national model code that will be published towards the end of 2021. Based on the best available information from the Standing Committee on Earthquake Design (SCED) at the time of writing this report, the seismic design demand in the NBC 2020 has increased for all site classes for many locations across the country. Also, there are other changes in NBC 2020 that might impact the seismic analysis and design of timber buildings. The main objective of this report is to compare the NBC 2020 to the 2015 edition, with emphasis on the level of the seismic design loads (demands), and potential impacts on the analysis and design of timber buildings.
