Edinburgh Napier University

School of Engineering and the Built Environment

MSc Timber Engineering

Module: Analysis and Timber Design 1 (BSV11116)

Lecture 7: Design of floors

Lecturer: Bernardino D’Amico

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments...................................................................................................................... 2
Learning outcome ...................................................................................................................... 2
Torsion of members ................................................................................................................... 2
Combined shear and torsion....................................................................................................... 5
Design of suspended timber flooring systems – in domestic construction ................................ 5
References & Further Reading................................................................................................... 8
Tutorial 7 .................................................................................................................................... 8
Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

Acknowledgments
Dr Jack Porteous is the owner of all intellectual property rights of the present lecture notes.
You are permitted to print such notes for your own use, provided that you include an
acknowledgement alongside the copied material noting Dr Jack Porteous as the author.

Learning outcome
Once studied this lecture, you should be able to:

 Understand how to design a beam for torsion.

 Understand how to design a beam for combined torsion and shear.

 Understand how to design a timber flooring system.

Torsion of members
In timber structures members are commonly subjected to torsional stresses, however, unless
the torsional resistance of a member is required to provide the primary withstand capability,
e.g. in a member subjected solely to torsion, timber design practice in the UK does not include
for torsional stresses in the design process.

Torsion moments arise when the line of action on the force on a beam at a section is not through
the centroid axis of the beam, as shown on Figure 1(a).

Where a beam of length L is torsionally constrained at each end and there is a torsion moment
T at position a, the torsion moment along length a will be TA = T∙b/L and along length b will
be TB = T∙a/L, as shown on Figure 1(b).

When a member is subjected to torsion shear stresses are generated across its section and, from
elastic theory, for solid sections it can be shown that when the member is subjected to a
torsional moment, T, the maximum torsional stress, 𝜏tor , and the angle of twist per unit length
𝜗
of the member, 𝐿 , will be:

 For circular sections:

2𝑇 𝜗 2𝑇
𝜏tor = 𝜋∙𝑟 3 ; = 𝜋∙𝑟 4𝐺 (1)
𝐿

where r is the radius of the cross-section of the member and G is the shear modulus of
the material.

 For rectangular sections:

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Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

𝑇 𝜗 2𝑇
𝜏tor = 𝑘 ; =𝑘 (2)
2 ℎ𝑏 2 𝐿 1 ℎ𝑏
3𝐺

where b and h are the cross-sectional sizes of the member and h is the larger dimension. The
constants k1 and k2 have been determined by Timoshenko and Goodier [1951] and are given in
Table 1 for varying ratios of h/b. The maximum shear stress occurs at mid-length of the longer
side.

Figure 1

Table 1

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Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

For solid rectangular cross-sections where h/b ≥ 1.5, k1 can be approximated to:

1 𝑏
𝑘1 = 3 [1 − 0.63 (ℎ)] (3)

and when h/b ≥ 2.5, factor k, which equates to k1/k2 can be taken equal to unity. It is to be noted
that at this ratio, the shear stress will be overestimated by approximately 3.5% and when the
ratio is 5, the overestimate will reduce to effectively zero.

It is to be noted that Eqs. (2) apply where the member is free to rotate under the applied torsional
moment, as will be the case for statically determined structures. When dealing with statically
indeterminate structures however, the rotation of the member may be less than that derived
from Eqs. (2), e.g. due to configuration of the member within the frame as well as joint detailing
etc. and in such cases the torsion stress will also be less than that derived from the Eqs. (2).

For design in accordance with EC5 the limit state for torsion is the ULS and the design
requirement, covered in Clause 6.1.8, equation (6.14), is:

𝜏tor,d = 𝑘shape 𝑓v,d

where:

𝜏tor,d = design torsional stress derived from Eqs. (1) or (2) when subject to the design torsional
moment Td.

𝑘mod ∙𝑘sys ∙𝑓v,k

𝑓v,d = design shear strength: with:
𝛾M

 𝑘mod = modification factor for load duration and service class as given in Table 3.1 of
EC5.

 𝑘sys = strength factor for load-sharing systems, but will only apply when several equally
spaced similar members, components or assemblies are laterally connected by a
continuous load distribution system and will be affected by the torsional moment.

 𝑓v,k = Characteristic shear strength. Values for the shear strength of timber are given in
Table 1 of BS EN 338.

 𝛾M = Partial factor for a material property. Values for the factor are given in Table 2.3
of EC5 and in clause 2.3 of the UK NA.

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Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

 𝑘shape = Since torsional shear strength is greater than direct shear strength: this shape
factor is applied in order to take this increase into account. The value of the factor is given
in equation (6.15) of EC5 as follows:

1.2 For circular cross sections

𝑘shape = ℎ
1 + 0.05
𝑚𝑖𝑛 { 𝑏 } For rectangular cross sections
( 1.3 )

where h is the larger cross-sectional dimension and b the smaller one.

Combined shear and torsion

The design guidance given in EC5 relates to members subjected solely to torsion. However
when a member is subjected to combined torsion and shear the respective torsional and direct
shear stresses will combine and the section must be designed for the maximum shear stress
condition.

Little research has been carried out on the combined action of sections subjected to torsion and
shear and in STEP 1 [2], it is proposed that the following governing condition can apply:

2
𝜏tor,d 𝜏v,d
+( ) ≤1
𝑘shape 𝑓v,d 𝑓v,d

Such equation assumes an element of stress redistribution, increasing the combined shear
resistance of the section. As an alternative, a more conservative approach can be adopted where
the respective shear stresses are added linearly, in which case the following relationship will
apply:

𝜏tor,d 𝜏v,d
+ ≤1
𝑘shape 𝑓v,d 𝑓v,d

Design of suspended timber flooring systems – in domestic

construction
A suspended timber flooring system will generally comprise closely spaced beams spanning
onto supports, with decking spanning over and fixed to the beams. To achieve the necessary
fire resistance the underside will normally be finished with a ceiling lining of plasterboard or
equivalent material. Insulation will also be incorporated where required to achieve the required
sound proofing standards. The fire resistance performance of the system will be a function of

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Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

its stability, integrity, and insulation as a composite entity and guidance on the standard to be
achieved, for the type of environment within which the flooring system will be used, it is given
in the relevant UK Building Regulations and in BS 5268: Part 4.2. Fire resistance requirements
are addressed in EN 1995-1-2 but are not covered in this course.

The beams in the system may be timber joists, “I” joists, proprietary joists (e.g. Trus Joist etc.).
Only timber joists will be used in the example given in this lecture.

The typical structural components of a suspended flooring system using timber joists are shown
in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Typical main elements in a suspended timber floor.

Decking and ceiling boards are usually available in 1200 mm wide by 2400 mm long panels
and the spacing of the joists will normally be set to optimise on these sizes. Common spacing
used for joists are 400 mm and 600 mm centre to centre, although this may vary to suit the
constraints of the floor layout. The joists must satisfy the strength and serviceability
requirements given in EC5 and covered in the previous lectures.

The most common form of flooring in domestic construction, is by using chipboard. Other
wood-based panel products are also used for flooring, in particular OSB. With panel products,
to optimise on the strength of the floor the panels should be laid so that the end joints on

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Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

adjacent panels are staggered and the joint must be formed over the supporting joists. Also the
panel length used should be not less than a two joist spacing. Tongued and grooved softwood
timber is also used for flooring and where the timber flooring is to be exposed to give a finished
surface, tongued and grooved hardwood planks can be used, but at considerable cost.

The design procedure for flooring is in principle the same as that required for the design of a
beam however, to allow for wear and tear (deterioration under use) on this element, an
additional 3mm is normally added to the thickness of the calculated section. There is also the
requirement to design for a local point load as stated in BS EN 1991-1, and when using panel
material, this strength of panels under this load can generally only be derived from tests and is
usually confirmed by the manufacturer. The standards used for this are BS EN 1195 and BS
EN12871.

Where the joists are supported on masonry walls, a timber wall plate (header beam) is normally
fixed to the masonry and the joists bear on it and are secured to the plate. Alternatively metal
joist hangers built into a bedding course of the wall can be used to provide an end support to
the joist. With stud walling, the joists should be positioned directly over the studs. When the
joists are supported by timber beams, to reduce or prevent the need for notching, top flange
metal joist hangers are commonly used. As well as enable the span of the joist to be reduced,
this type of fixing will also provide a torsional lateral support to the main beam.

Strutting between the joists is fitted where lateral torsional buckling restraint is required and
unless the joists are held laterally at their ends, (e.g. built into masonry walls, or secured by the
beam support) solid blocking should be fitted to provide lateral support.

Trimming joists and beams are most commonly used in the construction of timber floors in
domestic dwellings, particularly to support the ends of joists at stairwell and attic openings (see
Figure 2). They can be single or pairs of joists nailed together or solid beams etc., to suit design
requirements.

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Analysis and Timber Design 1 Lecture 7

References & Further Reading

The following further reading can be used to extend your knowledge and understanding of the
subject dealt with in this lecture note. It is not necessary for you to read all the references;
however, it would be useful for you to supplement your studies.

[1] Porteous J. and Kermani A. (2013) Structural Timber Design to Eurocode 5, Wiley-
Blackweel.

[2] Structural Timber Education Programme (STEP) 1, 1995, Timber Engineering STEP
1, Centrum Hout, Postbus 1350, 1300 BJ Almere.

Tutorial 7
A 75 mm by 250 mm deep sawn timber beam supports two beam hangers each at quarter span
point of the beam as shown on Figure 3. Each beam hanger support a point load, resulting from
a permanent action of 1.2 kN and a variable medium duration action of 2.3 kN, which is
transferred onto the beam. The eccentricity of the support reaction from the face of the beam
is 25 mm. The main beam has a clear span of 3.85 m and a bearing length of 50mm at each
end. The beam is of strength class C24 and functions in service class 2 conditions. The mean
density of the timber is 420 kg/m3. Carry out a design check to confirm that the combined
torsion and direct shear strength of the beam will be acceptable assuming the beam is rigidly
held against torsion at the supports.

Figure 3.