Module 3: Timber Beams - Examples & Applications
Bending Stress (Flexure) and Beam Stability
Basic: Evaluating a Simply Supported Beam
A simply supported rectangular timber beam (width , depth ) spans and carries a uniform load.
Structural analysis reveals the following maximum internal forces:
- Maximum bending moment () =
- Maximum shear force () =
Given Adjusted Allowable Stresses:
- Bending ():
- Shear ():
Verify if the beam is safe for both bending and horizontal shear.
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Intermediate: Beam Stability Factor ($C_L$)
Calculate the Beam Stability Factor () for an unbraced roof beam spanning . The dimensions are .
Given Parameters:
- Reference bending design value ():
- Minimum Modulus of Elasticity ():
- Effective unbraced length ():
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Advanced: Beam with an Overhang
A timber beam has a main span of and an overhang of . It carries a uniform load of over its entire length.
Given Parameters:
- Main span ():
- Overhang ():
- Load ():
- Adjusted Allowable Bending Stress ():
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Deflection Criteria
Basic: Calculating Total Deflection with Creep
A uniformly loaded simply supported timber floor joist spans . The immediate (instantaneous) deflections due to the applied loads have been calculated as follows:
- Immediate Dead Load Deflection ():
- Immediate Live Load Deflection ():
The joist must support unseasoned lumber in wet conditions, requiring a long-term creep factor of . The code requires the total long-term deflection not to exceed .
Determine if the joist is safe for serviceability.
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Intermediate: Deflection with Partial Load
A timber joist spans . It carries a live load of applied only to the first half of the span (). . Determine the maximum deflection.
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Advanced: Cambering a Timber Beam
A long-span timber beam () is expected to deflect under dead load and under live load. The architect wants the floor to be perfectly flat under dead load. Determine the required initial camber.
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Special Design Considerations
Intermediate: Calculating Required Bearing Length
A timber beam is simply supported on a concrete wall. The maximum reaction force at the support due to the factored loads is . The adjusted allowable compression stress perpendicular to the grain is .
Determine the minimum required length of bearing () on the concrete wall to prevent the timber from crushing.
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Advanced: Capacity of a Notched Beam
A timber joist has an allowable shear stress of . However, it is notched at the support on its tension (bottom) face to fit over a ledger board. The notch depth is , leaving a reduced net depth () of at the support.
Calculate the maximum allowable shear force () the notched end can support.
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Basic: Bearing Area for a Point Load
A point load is applied to the top edge of a timber beam via a steel bearing plate. The beam is wide. . Find the minimum required length of the steel plate along the beam axis.
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