WOOD BEAMS

Wood Beams Load Tables

The tables for beam loads are based on solid wood beams of rectangular cross section, surfaced 4 sides to
standard dressed dimensions, as given on pages 25 and 26. The compression edge is supported throughout the
beam length to prevent lateral displacement and lateral support is provided at each end at points of bearing to
prevent rotation. Beams are single span and are loaded uniformly for their entire lengths. The data are
presented with span lengths in feet for the various sizes of beams with load capacities based on a range of
bending stress, F, values. Data provided for each span and nominal size of beam are as follows:
W

w
F,
E

= tofal load in pounds, uniformly distributed, based on Fb

= load per linear foot of span, WIL

= minimum horizontal shear design value, psi, required to resist the horizontal shear stress induced by
load w
= required modulus of elasticity design value, psi, if deflection under load W is limited to P/360

Use of Tables
To use the tables, secure from appropriate reference (see page 28), the bending design value, F,,
appropriately adjusted for duration of load, service condition, size factor or other applicable modification factors,
and refer tot he span length involved. If the total load W is known read down the column under the appropriate
F, heading to find a matching design load W and then red across the page to see the required beam size. If the
beam size is known read across the page to the column under the appropriate F, heading to find the design load
W.

Before selecting a size of beam it is advisable to check the board measure, bm, in several sizes which qualify
in order to fmd the one which had the least amount of lumber and thus is the most efficient.
After determining he required beam size, or design load, W, in the manner just described, it is necessary

to check the horizontal shear, F,, and the modulus of elasticity, E, to make sure that the induced or required

values do not exceed the respective values allowed for the species and grade of lumber to be used.

It is good practice to consult the local lumber supplier(s) before finalizing a beam design, to determine what
sizes, species and grades are on hand or can be readily secured.
Use of the tables is illustrated in the two examples which follow.
Example 1. Assume a span of 14'- 0" for a species and grade of lumber having a fiber bending stress, F,,
value of 1400 psi to carry a total load of So00 pounds. The problem is to determine the size of beam required.
Turn to the page on which the 14'- 0" span is listed and, under the column headed 1400, read down until
the total load of SO00 pounds is reached. Then read to the left to note the size of beam required. In this case.,
the required size is a nominal 6 by 12 member having a total load capacity, W, of 8082 pounds or a load per
foot, w, of 5-77 pounds.

WOOD BEAMS
The apparent horizontal shear design value, Fy, required for the load of 8082 pounds is 96
psi and the modulus of elasticity, E, required to limit deflection to P/360 under the same load is
1,530,000 psi. Thus, the nominal 6 x 12 beam selected t o carry the 8,000 pounds must have
values of not less than Fb = 1400 psi, Fv = 96 psi and E = 1,530,000 psi. If deflection control is
not important for the case under consideration the required E value may be ignored. If Fv is
critical, the adjustment procedure below may be applied.
Example 2. Assume a . span of 15 '-0" and a beam size of nominal 8 by 12 with a fiber
bending design value, Fb, of 1600 psi. The problem is to determine the total load capacity, W, of
the beam.
Turn t o the page on which the 15"" span is listed and read down the left column until
the 8 by 12 size is reached. Then read across to the right t o the column headed 1600 where it is
shown that the total load capacity, W, is 1 1 755 pounds, the load per foot, w, is 784 pounds, the
apparent shear, Fv, required for the load of 11755 pounds is 102 psi and the modulus of
elasticity, E, for a deflection limit of ai360 under the same load is 1,878,000 psi.
In both Examples I and 2, the total load, W, includes live and dead load. To determine the
allowable live load which may be super imposed on the beam, the weight of the construction
materials should be deducted from the total load, W.
Adjustment of Modulus of Elasticity
As previously stated, the modulus of elasticity values listed in the tables are based on
limiting the initial deflection due to total live and dead load, W, to P/360. Where other
deflection limits are acceptable the tabular values of E may be adjusted by multiplying them by
the following factors:
For limit of ti300
For limit of PI240 ---For limit of !?/I80

0.833
0.667

0.500

When it is appropriate t o design for deflection due t o live load only (see page 34), the
required value of E may be calculated as follows:
(a)

determine the live load supported by the beam, either from known design
loads or by subtracting the weight of supported construction materials from
the tabulated total load, W,

(b)

multiply the tabular value of E by the ratio of the live load divided by the
tabulated total load,

(c)

multiply the resulting value of E by the applicable deflection limit factor,

if the limit is other than ai360.

Adjustment of Shear Stress

When the tabulated horizontal shear value, Fv, exceeds the shear design value for the
member, the tabular value may he multiplied by:

t o adjust Fv by neglecting that portion of the load within a distance from either support equal t o
the depth of the beam. I f the adjusted Fv still controls member design, use of the detailed shear

NOOD BEAMS
design procedure in the National Design Specification for Wood Construction, available from the
National Forest Products Association, may be considered.
Interpolation of Tabular Values
Design loads and induced values of F, and E for bending stresses intermediate of those
listed in the column headings may be determined through straight-line interpolation.
Example. For a nominal 6 by 12 beam with Fb of 1200 on 2 0 - 0 " span: W = 4849, w =
242, F, = 57 and E = 1,878,000. For a beam of the same size on the same span with Fb of 1300,
the preceding values for W, w, F, and E are multiplied by I3/ 12.

WOOD BEAMS-SAFE LOAD TABLES

Fb

SIZE O F
BEAM

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

1600

1800

2000

4'- 0" SPAN

W

2 x 4

3 x 4

FV

459
115
66
926

510
128
73
1029

561
140
80
1131

613
153
88
1234

664
166
95
1337

715
179
102
1440

766
191
109
1543

817
204
117
1646

919
230
131
1851

1021
255
146
2057

766
191
66
926

851
213
73
1029

936
234
80
1131

1021
255
88
1234

1106
276
95
1337

1191
298
102
1440

1276
319
109
1543

1361
340
117
1646

1531
383
131
1851

1701
425
146
2057