Structural Timber Design
Module 2a: Timber Design and Analysis
This part of the module will give you knowledge and understanding on how to design and analyze
timber beam. Thus, it is important to know and how to design and analyze timber structure such as beam
in which the cross – sectional area will not exceed the allowable fiber stress of the used species of timber.
Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of knowing the design and analysis of timber beam.
2. Explain the procedure on how to design and analyze timber beam.
Outline:
A. Steps in Design and Analysis of Timber Design
B. Stresses in Beams
C. Strength Properties of Species of Wood at 80% Stress Grade
D. Application Problems
Content:
A. Steps in Design and Analysis of Timber Design
The first step in the design of beams is the computation of the load or loads. The beam will be
required to support. The design of a beam consists firstly the determination of the dimensions of a cross
– sections in which the extreme fiber stress does not exceed the allowable stress for the material used.
This is what we mean when we say the beam is first designed for bending or flexure. Having a determined
a cross – section to meet this requirement, we then investigate it to see that the allowable horizontal
shearing stress is not exceeded. If the shearing stress is found to be excessive, a large section is required.
Next the beam is investigated with respect to deflection to see that the actual deflection will not
exceed the prescribed limit. When a cross – sections that satisfies the requirements has been determined,
the dimensions of the end bearings are determined to provide that the stressed in compression
perpendicular to the grain do not exceed the allowable stresses given in the building code.
1. Design for Bending
The design of a wood beam for strength is bending is accomplished by the use of the flexure
formula:
𝑀𝑐
𝑓𝑏 =
𝐼
𝐼
But 𝑆 = 𝑐
𝑀
Then, 𝑓𝑏 = 𝑆
fc
d N.A.
ft
1
6𝑀
The form equation used in design is 𝑓𝑏 = 𝑏𝑑2
Where: M = maximum bending moment, kN – m
Fb = allowable extreme fiber stress, MPa
fb = actual flexure stress in extreme fibers, MPa
S = required section modulus, mm3
d = depth of beam,mm
Note: Beams greater than 300 mm in depth have reduced values for the maximum flexural stress, this is
300 1/9
done by using a size factor, defined as 𝑐𝐹 = ( 𝑑
) .
Where: cF = size factor
d = depth of beam, mm
2. Check for Horizontal Shearing Stress
A beam has a tendency to fail in shear by the fibers sliding past each other both vertically and
horizontally. The vertical shear strength of wood beams is seldom of concern because the shear resistance
of wood across the grain is much larger that it is parallel to the grain, where the horizontal shear forces
develop.
The horizontal shearing stresses are not uniformly distributed over the cross – section of a beam
but are greatest at the neutral surface. The maximum horizontal unit shearing stress for rectangular
3 3𝑉
sections is 2 times the average vertical unit shearing stress. This is expressed by the formula: 𝑓𝑣 = 2𝑏𝑑 for
rectangular only.
Where: fv = maximum unit horizontal shearing stress, MPa
V = total vertical shear, N
b = width of cross – section, mm
d = depth of the cross – section, mm
3. Design for bearing
For most beams, bearing consists of compression stress perpendicular to the grain. This is done
for beam end bearing or for bearing under concentrated loads where the length of bearing along the
𝑉
beam is 150 mm or more. The actual bearing stress is computed as: 𝑣𝑏 = .
𝐴𝑏
Where: vb = actual bearing stress, MPa
V = total vertical shear, N
Ab = bearing contact area, MPa
Lb = bearing length, mm
For shearing lengths an increase in allowable stress is delimited if the bearing does not occur
closer than 75 mm from the end of the beam. The increase consists of multiplying the factor equal to:
𝐿𝑏 + 9.5
𝐿
.
𝑏
𝐿𝑏 + 9.5
Modified allowable bearing stress, 𝑣𝑏′ = 𝑣𝑏 𝑥 .
𝐿𝑏
4. Design for deflection
Deflections in wood structures bend to be most critical for rafters and joists, where span – to –
depth ratios are often pushed to the limit. The allowable limit for the deflection of beams in floor
1
construction that supports plastered ceilings or partitions is generally taken to be 360 of the span; for
1
beam that do not support plastering top be 240 of the span length and for highway bridges the limit is
1
frequently 200 of the span.
5 𝑤 𝐿4
𝛿𝑎𝑐𝑡 =
384 𝐸𝐼
2
Where: δ = deflection, mm
L = length of span, m
𝑁
w = uniformly distributed load, 𝑚𝑚
𝑁
E = modulus of elasticity, 𝑚𝑚2
I = moment of inertia, mm4
B. Stresses in Beams
1. Flexural or Bending Stress
𝑀𝑐
𝑓𝑏 = 𝐼𝑁𝐴
General flexure for any shape of beam section
Where: fb = flexural or bending stress, MPa
M = bending moment, N – mm
c = distance of fiber from the neutral axis, mm
I = centroidal moment of inertia, mm4
a. Solid Rectangular Section
fc
d N.A.
Stress Diagram
6𝑀 ft
𝑓𝑏 =
𝑏𝑑2
Where: fb = flexural or bending stress, MPa
M = bending moment, N – mm
c = distance of fiber from the neutral axis, mm
I = centroidal moment of inertia, mm4
Note: Fb = allowable bending stress and fb = actual bending stress
b. For Circular Section
fc
c
d N.A.
ft
32𝑀
𝑓𝑏 =
л𝑑3
2. Shearing Stress
a. Vertical Shearing Stress
𝑉
A beam seldom fails in vertical shearing stress 𝑓𝑣(𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) =
𝑏𝑑
3
b. Horizontal Shearing stress
𝑉𝑄
𝑓𝑣 = General formula for Horizontal Shearing Stress
𝐼𝑏
N.A.
d
Note: Horizontal shearing stress (fv) is maximum at the neutral axis
3𝑉
For Solid Rectangular Section 𝑓𝑣 = 2𝑏𝑑
Where: fv = horizontal shearing stress, MPa
V = vertical shear, N
Q = statical moment of inertia of the section above or below the neutral axis, mm3
I = centroidal moment of inertia, mm4
b = base of section at the neutral axis, mm
C. Strength Properties of Species of Wood at 80% Stress Grade
Species Bending and Modulus of Compression
Compression Shear Parallel
(Common and Tension Elasticity Perpendicular
parallel to the to the Grain
Botanical Parallel to the Bending to the Grain
Grain (MPa) (MPa)
Names) Grain (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
I. High Strength Group
Agoho 26.3 8.22 14.5 5.91 2.95
Liusin 25.0 9.36 15.6 4.31 2.64
Malabayabas 28.7 8.30 15.8 8.70 3.02
Molave 24.0 6.54 15.4 6.34 2.88
Narig 21.8 8.33 13.7 4.97 2.61
Sasalit 31.3 9.72 21.6 10.2 3.38
Yakal 24.5 9.78 15.8 6.27 2.49
II. Moderately High Strength Group
Antipolo 18.6 5.35 10.8 3.90 2.06
Binggas 18.9 6.57 11.4 3.90 2.24
Bokbok 18.1 6.36 11.3 3.41 2.18
Dao 16.2 5.43 9.44 2.27 1.92
Gatasan 20.8 6.84 13.5 3.52 2.36
Guijo 21.8 8.47 13.2 4.26 2.40
Kamagong 20.9 7.20 11.7 4.39 2.47
Kamatog 19.0 7.56 11.2 3.95 2.35
Katmon 18.8 6.82 11.9 4.84 2.29
Kato 18.4 8.04 10.6 3.46 1.96
Lomarau 19.8 7.92 11.8 2.98 2.18
Mahogany 16.5 4.66 10.5 3.83 2.71
Makaasim 20.5 6.72 11.4 3.70 2.40
Malakauayan 18.9 6.66 11.2 2.32 2.14
Narra 18.0 5.94 11.4 3.07 1.91
Pahutan 16.6 6.53 10.0 2.50 2.05
III. Medium Strength Group
4
Apitong 16.5 7.31 9.56 2.20 1.73
Bagtikan 16.6 6.48 9.89 2.33 1.82
Dangkalan 16.3 6.38 9.20 2.48 1.98
Gisau 14.3 5.33 8.16 1.99 1.90
Lanutan-bagyo 15.0 6.06 8.96 2.02 1.84
Lauan 13.9 5.83 8.18 1.72 1.48
Malaanonang 13.8 5.41 8.54 1.96 1.59
Malasaging 16.8 5.94 9.51 2.92 1.85
Malugai 15.4 6.30 9.33 3.07 2.07
Maiau 15.7 6.50 8.83 2.78 2.06
Nato 16.2 5.56 9.17 2.33 1.98
Palosapis 13.8 5.98 8.38 2.73 1.68
Pine 14.7 6.66 8.29 1.88 1.56
Salakin 15.7 5.67 8.83 2.94 2.39
Vidal Lanutan 19.5 5.83 8.54 2.65 2.39
IV. Moderately Low Strength Group
Almaciga 11.8 5.47 6.27 1.44 1.47
Bayok 12.6 4.75 7.33 1.30 1.20
Lingo-lingo 13.2 4.13 6.85 2.00 1.66
Manggasinoro 12.8 5.36 7.46 1.97 1.44
Raintree 11.9 2.75 7.23 3.32 2.07
Yemane 12.6 4.09 7.87 3.40 1.96
D. Application Problems
1. A 100 mm x 300 mm rectangular beam carries a uniformly distributed load of w (kN/m) over its entire
span. The beam is freely supported at its entire span. The allowable bending stress is 10. 50 MPa and
the allowable shearing stress is 0. 70 MPa. Determine
a. The safe span (L) of the beam in m.
b. The safe uniformly distributed load in kN/m.
L
w (kN/m)
100 mm
300 mm
Given:
Fb = 10.50 MPa
Fv = 0.70 MPa
Required: L and w
a. Considering Flexure
6𝑀
𝐹𝑏 =
𝑏𝑑2
6𝑀
10.50 =
(100)(300)2
10.50 (100)(300)2
𝑀=
6 × 106
𝑀 = 15.75 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
5
𝑤𝐿2
𝑀=
8
𝑤𝐿2 = 8(15.75)
𝑤𝐿2 = 126 (eq’n 1)
a. Considering Shear
3𝑉
𝑓𝑣 =
2𝑏𝑑
𝐹𝑣 = 𝑓𝑣
3𝑉
0.70 =
2(100)(300)
𝑉 = 14𝑘𝑁
𝑤𝐿
𝑉=
2
𝑤𝐿
14 =
2
𝑤𝐿 = 28 (eq’n 2)
b. Solve for L
Divide eq 1 by eq 2
𝑤𝐿2 126
=
𝑤𝐿 28
𝐿 = 4.5 𝑚
c. Solve for w
Substitute L in eq’n 1 or eq’n 2
In eq’n 1
126
𝑤=
(4.5)2
𝑤 = 6.22 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
In eq’n 2
28
𝑤=
4.5
𝑤 = 6.22 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
6
2. Design to carry the load consisting of two crane wheels, 3 m apart, moving over a rectangular beam
having a span of 7 m. The weight of one wheel is 65 kN and the other is 45 kN. Allowable fiber stress
is 14. 50 MPa in bending and use d = 2b.
Given:
65 kN 45 kN
Fb = 14.50 MPa 250 mm
b = d/2
500 mm
Required: b and d 2.885
0.615
2.385 1.115
Solution: 7m
RA RB
a. Solve R
𝑅 = 45 + 65
45.38
𝑅 = 110 𝑘𝑁
0
b. Solve for x -
𝑅𝑥 = 45 (3) 19.6 130.92 -
64.6
𝑅𝑥 = 135 72.05
135 0
𝑥=
110
𝑥 = 1.23 𝑚
3 − 𝑥 = 1.77
𝑥
= 0.615
2
c. Solve for RA
Σ𝑀𝐷 = 0
𝑅𝐴 (7) = 45(1.115) + 65(4.115)
𝑅𝐴 = 45.38 𝑘𝑁
ΣFv = 0
𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐷 = 110 𝑘𝑁
𝑅𝐷 = 110 − 45.38
𝑅𝐷 = 64.62 𝑘𝑁
d. Solve b and d by flexure
6𝑀
𝑓𝑏 =
𝑏𝑑2
6𝑀
𝑓𝑏 =
𝑑
(2 ) 𝑑 2
7
12𝑀
𝑓𝑏 =
𝑑3
3 12(130.92 × 106 )
𝑑=√
14.50
𝑑 = 476.73 𝑚𝑚
Say d = 500 and b = 250 mm
References:
1. Simplified Engineering for Architecture and Builders (7th Ed.) by: Harry Parker and James Ambrose.
2009
2. Simplified Design of Structural Timber (2nd Ed.) by: Harry Parker, 1974
3. Timber Design and Construction Methods (S.I. Version) by: Venancio I. Besavilla, 1987