Well I can give you a basic run down of how I used to do them.
Calc your lateral loads, seismic and wind. Remember that each pole is a cantilevered column, you will have to alter your R value to accommodate that.
Calc your gravity loads.
Size the pole using combined action, flexural and axial. Be sure to consider the critical direction. The higher the post the larger the size required, it will get nasty pretty fast. Contractors seem to think a 6x6 with a 4' deep 24" diameter is all they ever need to do, but when you start increasing the height or the spacing of those posts...
Depending on design method used you can increase the strength of the pole a certain percentage, eg ASD you can use 1.6 for wood.
Depending on which theory you subscribe to you may consider the girts to brace the system, or you may not. *shrug* This will only help in one direction anyway.
The embedment depth can be determined using IBC 1805.7.2 in conjunction with table 1804.2 They were probably cheap and didn't get a geotech report (thats why they are building a pole building) so you will be SOL on the values, the code requires you to assume pretty darn poor unless you are willing to assume / prove some better soils are out there.
The diaphram calcs are a bit more difficult. Values for the corrugated metal roof exist, but you will have to find them on your own. I did this a while ago and it was a pain.
If you resort to making them use OSB or CDX, expect alot of complaining. You can buy 'A Primer on Diaphragm Design' from the MCA, but it'll cost you and its not the easiest read. Testing values from McElroy or another major manufactuer are probably easier to obtain.
You should already be familiar with how to calc diaphragm demands or you really shouldn't be doing this.
Thats a basic rundown. Connections are pretty staightforward, other than the diaphragm calcs.
My advice to you is run a few calcs ahead of time, see how things turn out and let them (meaning the contractor / builder, the owner will just go 'okay' then come back screaming about the price later) know so they can't come back later on and complain.
All in all if the moaning and whining gets to be too much tell them to go perscriptive and wash your hands of it. Make sure you get the money up front.
Sorry, not a real positive review, but thats been my experience with these buildings. Cheap, cheap, cheap and more cheap.
Good luck!
