REVISED MALAYSIAN CODE OF PRACTICE FOR STRUCTURAL USE OF TIMBER

Abdul Rashid A.M.1, Mohd Shukari Midon2, Mohd Zamin Jumaat3 & Wan Mahmood Wan Ab. Majid4 1. Senior Director/Chairman Technical Committee on Timber Structures, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, 52109 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 2. Senior Research Officer, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, 52109 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 3. Assoc. Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 4. Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA SUMMARY The Malaysian Standard (M.S.) 544:1978, The Code of Practice for Structural Use of Timber is being revised. The revision is being coordinated by the Technical Committee on Timber Structures (TC 4), a committee formed by the Construction Industrial Development Board Malaysia (CIDB). The new M.S. 544 will have 12 Parts and 11 Sections. So far TC 4 has completed 10 Parts and 8 Sections including Parts on fire resistance and design for glued-laminated timber members. The revision of the Standard is in its final stages. The task involves ten Working Groups formed by TC 4 and comprised sixty members. Once completed the Standard contains basic working stresses, design methods and general guidance on structural use of Malaysian timbers including wood-based panel products and glued-laminated timber members. This paper highlights some of the features of the newly published Parts. Keywords: Code, Standard, Timber, Strength grouping, Joints, Glued laminated members, Panel products, Fire resistance

1.

INTRODUCTION

In the past, design and detailing of timber structures in Malaysia was done according to the Malaysian Standard (M.S.) 544: 1978, Code of Practice for Structural Use of Timber [1]. The Code was purely a carbon copy of the British Codes of Practice for design of timber structures, CP 112: 1967, except for the species used [2]. The code has never been revised since its first circulation. Only in late 1997 was revision for the Standard initiated by the Technical Committee on Timber Structures (TC 4). TC 4 was formed by the Construction Industrial Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), a Standard Writing Organisation on building material appointed by the Standards Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) Bhd. The revision of the Standard is currently in its final stages. The prodigious task has been undertaken by 10 Working Groups (WG), commissioned by TC 4. The WG comprises 60 members from various government agencies, research institutions and professional

bodies. Unlike the previous Code of Practice, the new Code will ultimately be published into 12 Parts under the title Code of Practice for Structural Use of Timber [3]. Part 1: General (revised) Part 2: Permissible stress design of solid timber (revised) Part 3: Permissible stress design of glued-laminated timber (new) Part 4: Timber panel products (new) Section 1: Structural plywood Section 2: Marine plywood Section 3: Cement-bonded particleboard Section 4: Oriented-strand board (OSB) Part 5: Timber joints (revised) Part 6: Workmanship, inspection and maintenance (revised) Part 7: Testing (revised) Part 8: Design, fabrication and installation of prefabricated timber for roof trusses (new) Part 9: Fire resistance of timber structures (new) Section 1: Methods of calculating fire resistance of timber members Part 10: Preservative treatment of structural timbers (new) Part 11: Recommendations for the calculation basis for span tables and their calculations (new) Section 1: Domestic floor joists Section 2: Ceiling joists Section 3: Ceiling binders Section 4: Domestic rafters Part 12: Laminated veneer lumbers for structural application (new) Out of the twelve Parts, seven Parts are considered new and five are revised documents. The first document was published in 2001, after about four years since the inception of TC 4. For promotion, CIDB and TC 4 have organised several workshops to introduce the newly published Parts of the Standard to professional engineers, architects, contractors and government bodies. This paper highlights some of the features of the newly published Parts. Emphasis will be given to some of the new Parts, namely, designs of glued-laminated timber (Part 3), timber panel products (Part 4), timber joints (Part 5) and fire resistance of timber structures (Part 9).

2.

DESIGN OF SOLID MEMBERS

Part 2 of the Code outlines design procedures to be followed depending on the type of element being designed. It is based on permissible stress design (elastic design) rather than limit state design. The designs of curved and tapered members are not within the scope of the Standard. 2.1 Timber Classification

Based on densities, Malaysian timbers are generally classified into four categories, namely, heavy hardwoods (8001120 kg/m3), medium hardwoods (720-880 kg/m3), light

hardwoods (400720 kg/m3) and softwoods [4]. So far, about 100 timber species with densities ranging from 350 kg/m3 to 1100 kg/m3 (measured at 19% moisture content) have been included in the new MS 544: Part 2: 2001: Code of Practice for Structural Use of Timber - Permissible Stress Design of Solid Timber compared with 56 species in the previous Code. 2.2 Strength Grouping

For design purposes the species are divided into seven strength groups, SG 1 to SG 7, in the order of decreasing strength (Table1). SG 7 is considered weak and is generally unsuitable for many structural applications. The wet and dry grade stresses for strength groups are given Table 2. The strength data are based on small clear test specimens. Table 1. Strength groups of Malaysian timber
S.G.1 S.G.2 S.G.3 A) Naturally Durable Balau Belian Bekak Bitis Mata ulat Delek Chengal Kekatong Keranji Penaga B) Requiring Treatment Dedaru Agoho Kempas Balau, red Merbau Kelat Mertas Kembang semangkok Kulim Pauh Kijang Penyau Perah Petaling Ranggu Durian batu Tualang S.G.4 Giam Malabera Merbau Resak Berangan Dedali Derum Kapur Kasai Keruntum Mempening Meransi Meranti bakau Merawan Merpauh Nyalin Perupok Punah Rengas Simpoh S.G.5 Teak Tembusu S.G.6 S.G.7

Alan bunga Babai Balek angin bopeng Bintangor Brazil nut Gerutu Kayu kundur Kedondong Keledang Keruing Ketapang Kungkur Melunak Mempisang Mengkulang Meranti, dark red Meranti, white Nyatoh Penarahan Petai Ramin Rubberwood Sengkuang Sepetir

Bayur Damar minyak Durian Jelutong Jenitri Jongkong Kasah Machang Medang Melantai/Kawang Meranti, light red Meranti, yellow Mersawa Terap

Ara Batai Geronggang Laran Pelajau Pulai Sesendok Terentang

Notes: 1. For naturally durable timbers, sapwood should be excluded. If sapwood is included, preservative treatment is necessary. (Source: MS360, 1986) 2. For timber requiring treatment, they should be amenable to preservative treatment

Table 2. Wet and dry grade stresses for various strength groups of Malaysian timber (stresses and moduli expressed in N/mm2)
Strength groups Conditi on1) Bending parallel to grain Tension parallel to grain Compression parallel to grain Compression perpendicular to grain 2) Shear parallel to grain Modulus of elasticity for all grades

Sel SG1 SG2 SG3 SG4 SG5 SG6 SG7

1) 2) 3)

Std

Com3)

Sel

Std

Com

Sel

Std

Com

Basic Sel 4.59 4.67 3.50 3.82 2.38 2.61 1.83 2.06 1.12 1.42 1.02 1.28 3.90 3.97 2.97 3.25 2.02 2.22 1.55 1.75 0.95 1.21

Std

Com

Sel

Std

Com

Mean 17000 18800 15700 16800 13300 14300 10700 11000 8800 9100 6700 7300 5700 6600

Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry

29.2 23.0 18.2 33.6 26.5 21.0 20.7 16.3 13.0 23.3 18.3 14.6 18.1 14.2 11.3 20.2 15.9 12.6 14.2 11.2 8.8 16.8 13.2 10.5 11.0 12.1 9.4 11.3 6.6 8.2 8.6 9.5 7.4 8.9 5.2 6.5 6.8 7.5 5.9 7.1 4.2 5.1

17.5 13.8 10.9 20.2 15.9 12.6 12.4 9.8 14.0 11.0 10.9 12.1 8.5 10.1 6.6 7.3 5.6 6.8 4.0 4.9 8.5 9.5 6.7 7.9 5.2 5.7 4.4 5.3 3.1 3.9 7.8 8.8 6.8 7.6 5.3 6.3 4.1 4.5 3.5 4.3 2.5 3.1

26.8 21.1 16.8 28.5 22.5 17.8 18.8 14.8 11.7 23.4 18.5 14.7 15.3 12.0 9.5 17.8 14.1 11.1 12.1 9.5 14.1 11.1 9.1 10.8 7.9 8.8 5.3 6.9 7.2 8.5 6.2 6.9 4.2 5.4 7.6 8.8 5.7 6.7 5.0 5.5 3.3 4.3

3.67 3.44 3.74 3.50 2.80 2.62 3.05 2.86 1.90 2.09 1.46 1.65 0.90 1.14 1.78 1.96 1.37 1.54 0.84 1.06 0.76 0.96 0.46 0.58

2.54 1.98 1.59 2.94 2.28 1.84 2.24 1.74 1.40 2.51 1.95 1.57 1.84 1.43 1.15 2.07 1.61 1.30 1.53 1.19 0.96 1.58 1.23 0.99 1.21 0.95 0.76 1.37 1.07 0.86 1.05 0.82 0.66 1.11 0.86 0.69 0.91 0.71 0.57 0.98 0.76 0.61

Minimu m 13300 14000 11700 12600 9800 10300 7400 7600 6100 6300 4900 5200 3000 3400

0.87 0.82 1.09 1.02 0.50 0.62

0.62 0.53 0.77 0.65

Moisture content for Wet > 19%, for Dry 19% When there is no wane at the bearing area, the basic stress figures may be used for all grades Sel, Std and Com stand for select structural, standard structural and common building grades respectively as defined in the Malaysian Grading Rules (MGR)

3.

DESIGN OF TIMBER JOINTS

Part 5 of the Code outlines recommendations for the design of joints in solid timber intended for use with various types of mechanical fasteners. Numerous changes and addition have been made in the revised edition of the Code. 3.1 Additional Species to the Joint Groups

Timber species are classified into five joint groups, J1, J2, J3, J4 and J5, in decreasing order of strength as in the previous Code. However, a total of 90 species are listed compared with 53 species in the previous Code. 3.2 Plywood to Timber Joint

Part 5 also provides the basic working loads for plywood to timber joints that was not covered in the previous Code. Structural or marine plywood are recommended for the application. The determination of basic load is based on the standard nail penetration. 3.3 Eccentric Joints

The Code also gives guidelines for the eccentric joints which state that the combined effects of primary and secondary stresses due to the resulting bending and shear stress shall be checked. 3.4 Coach Screws

The uses and designs of coach screws are also highlighted in the new Code. The basic calculation is similar to the designs of bolted joints. However, some conditions have to be met when coach screws are used laterally in dry timber.

4.

DESIGN OF GLUED-LAMINATED TIMBER

Currently, glued-laminated structure is not a common construction material used in Malaysia. However, concerted efforts have been made by FRIM and other relevant government agencies and universities to promote the use of this product for future applications. Part 3, a new component of the Code, deals with the guidelines on the designs of structural components made of glued laminated members. Glued-laminated members should be manufactured in accordance with BS EN 386. Glued-laminated strength classifications for structural tropical hardwoods are based on strength classes graded in accordance with BS 5756. There are seven strength classes, namely, C22, C24, D35, D40, D50, D60 and D70 in increasing order of strength. By and large, Part 3 of the Code follows closely Part 2 of BS 5268, except with the inclusion of two additional local species [5]. Table 3 shows the tropical hardwoods strength classes and the corresponding characteristic bending strengths for glued-laminated timber design. Table 3. The tropical hardwoods strength classes and their corresponding characteristic bending strengths for glued laminated timber design Standard Name Strength Class Characteristic bending strength ( N/mm2) 22.0 24.0 35.0 40.0 50.0

Meranti, Light Red C22 Meranti, Yellow C24 Meranti, Dark Red D35 Mengkulang D40 Merbau D50 Keruing Kapur D60 60.0 Kempas Balau D70 70.0 NOTE: Additional species/grades could be incorporated in accordance with BS EN 338

5.0

DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL USE OF TIMBER PANELS

Unlike the previous Code, the new Code includes a new part, Part 4, on the design of structural use of timber-panel products. This Part provides guidance on structural use of timber-based panels, namely, structural plywood, marine plywood, cement-bonded particleboard and oriented-strand board in load bearing members. Recommendations on quality, grade stresses and modification factors are included for these materials when used as simple members, or as parts of built-up components, or as parts of structures in 5

incorporating other materials. The Standard applies only to Malaysian basic structural grade (MBSG) plywood, MBSG- rated marine plywood, compressed cement-bonded plywood (CBP) as well as medium and heavy duty oriented-strand board (OSB).

6.

FIRE RESISTANCE OF TIMBER STRUCTURES

Part 9, a new scope of the Standard, outlines a method for evaluating the duration of fire resistance of an exposed load bearing of solid or a glued-laminated timber. The method of calculation is based on the notional charring rates of 0.5 mm/min and 0.7 mm/min for strength groups SG 1 to SG 3 and SG 4 to SG 5 respectively. The rates were based on BS 5268: Part ? and confirmed by a study done on the charring rates of twelve Malaysian structural timber species [6]. The same charring rates are applied to members laminated with approved heat resistant adhesive. Part 9 also includes a section on the fire protection of metal fasteners and components.

7.

CONCLUSION

The Technical Committee on Timber Structures (TC 4) formed by the Construction Industrial Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) has almost completed a prodigious task on the revision of the old MS 544. So far ten Parts have been published as the new Code of Practice for structural use of Malaysian timber.

8.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to express their deepest appreciation to the Construction Industrial Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) for the continued support rendered to the Technical Committee on Timber Structures (TC 4). The authors are also grateful to members of the TC 4 and the Working Groups for their valuable contributions.

9.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

REFERENCES
Anon, Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Timbers, M.S. 544: 1978, Standard Industrial Research Institute Malaysia (SIRIM), 1978. Anon, The Structural Use of Timber. British Code of Practice, CP 112: 1967, British Standard Institution, London, 1967. Anon, Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Timbers, MS 544:Parts 1 12: 2001, Department of Standards Malaysia, 2001. Wong, T. M, A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers. Malayan Forest Records No. 30. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 2002, 210 pp. Anon, Code of Practice for Permissible Stress Design, Materials and Workmanship. BS 5268: Part 2: 1996. British Standard Institution, London, 1996. Chu, Y. P., Ho, K. S., Mohd Shukari Midon and Abdul Rashid, A.M., Timber Design Handbook. Malayan Forest Record No. 42. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 1997, 288 pp.