TIMBER

CONSTRUCTION MANUAL

Timber Construction Manual American Institute of Timber Construction

Copyright 2012 American Institute of Timber Construction.
TIMBER
CONSTRUCTION MANUAL
Sixth Edition

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF TIMBER CONSTRUCTION

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Copyright 2012 by American Institute of Timber Construction. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Timber construction manual / American Institute of Timber Construction.Sixth edition.

pages cm
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-470-54509-6 (hardback); 978-1-118-27961-8 (ebk.); 978-1-118-27964-9 (ebk.);
978-1-118-27965-6 (ebk.); 978-1-118-27966-3 (ebk.); 978-1-118-27968-7 (ebk.);
978-1-118-27973-1 (ebk.)
1. Building, WoodenHandbooks, manuals, etc. I. American Institute of Timber Construction.
TA666.T47 2012
694dc23
2011051084

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS

PREFACE xi
1 TIMBER CONSTRUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction / 1
1.2 Materials / 1
1.3 Structural Systems / 13
1.4 Economy / 27
1.5 Permanence / 32
1.6 Seasoning / 37
1.7 Handling, Storage, and Erection / 38
1.8 Conclusion / 40

2 WOOD PROPERTIES 42
2.1 Introduction / 42
2.2 Specic Gravity and Specic Weight of Commercial
Lumber Species / 46
2.3 Dimensional Changes Due to Moisture
and Temperature / 50
2.4 Thermal Insulating Properties / 53
2.5 Wood in Chemical Environments / 54
2.6 Acoustical Properties / 55
2.7 Electrical Properties / 55

v
vi CONTENTS

2.8 Coefcient of Friction / 56

2.9 Conclusion / 56

3 TIMBER DESIGN 57
3.1 Introduction / 57
3.2 Loads / 58
3.3 Design Values / 73
3.4 Adjustment Factors / 74
3.5 Deection / 92
3.6 Camber / 95
3.7 Ponding / 98
3.8 Conclusion / 100

4 TIMBER BEAMS 102

4.1 Introduction / 102
4.2 Structural Evaluation of Beams / 102
4.3 Simple Beams / 105
4.4 Continuous Members / 117
4.5 Biaxial Bending (Bending about Both Axes) / 122
4.6 Torsion / 130
4.7 Conclusion / 133

5 TIMBER COLUMNS AND TENSION MEMBERS 134

5.1 Introduction / 134
5.2 Column Design Criteria / 134
5.3 Rectangular Columns / 135
5.4 Round Columns / 140
5.5 Tapered Columns / 140
5.6 Spaced Columns / 141
5.7 Built-Up Columns / 144
5.8 Columns with Flanges / 146
5.9 Tension Members / 147
5.10 Conclusion / 148

6 TIMBER BEAM-COLUMNS AND TENSION BEAMS 149

6.1 Introduction / 149
6.2 General Equation for Beam-Columns / 150
 CONTENTS vii

6.3 Centric Axial Compression and Side Load Bending about

Both Axes / 156
6.4 Centric Axial Compression and Side Load Bending about
Strong Axis Only / 161
6.5 Eccentric Axial Compression Only / 165
6.6 Axial Compression Eccentricity in Strong Direction
Only / 165
6.7 Columns with Side Brackets / 169
6.8 Combined Axial Tension and Bending / 170
6.9 Conclusion / 173

7 TAPERED BEAMS 174

7.1 Introduction / 174
7.2 Tapered Beam Design / 176
7.3 Beams with Tapered End Cuts / 183
7.4 Conclusion / 188

8 CURVED GLULAM BEAMS 189

8.1 Introduction / 189
8.2 Curved Beams with Constant Depth / 195
8.3 Pitched and Tapered Curved Beams / 200
8.4 Pitched and Tapered Curved Beams with Mechanically
Attached Haunch / 223
8.5 Conclusion / 232

9 GLULAM ARCHES 233

9.1 Introduction / 233
9.2 Preliminary Design Procedure / 233
9.3 Conclusion / 249

10 HEAVY TIMBER DECKING 251

10.1 Introduction / 251
10.2 Installation Requirements / 251
10.3 Design Formulas / 255
10.4 Section Properties / 256
10.5 Decking Design Values / 257
10.6 Conclusion / 259
viii CONTENTS

11 CONNECTIONS IN TIMBER STRUCTURES 260

11.1 Introduction / 260
11.2 Connection Detailing Principles / 260
11.3 Types of Fasteners / 264
11.4 Reference Design Values for Fasteners / 272
11.5 Adjustment Factors / 274
11.6 Conclusion / 283

12 MEMBER CAPACITY AT CONNECTIONS 284

12.1 Introduction / 284
12.2 Member Capacity at Connections Loaded
Perpendicular-to-Grain / 284
12.3 Member Capacity at Connections Loaded
Parallel-to-Grain / 291
12.4 Member Capacity at Connections Loaded at an Angle to
Grain / 307
12.5 Conclusion / 308

13 DOWEL-TYPE FASTENERS 309

13.1 Introduction / 309
13.2 Dowel-Type Fasteners Loaded Laterally / 309
13.3 Dowel-Type Fasteners Loaded in Withdrawal / 328
13.4 Dowel-Type Fasteners Loaded Laterally and in
Withdrawal / 330
13.5 Conclusion / 334

14 SHEAR PLATES AND SPLIT RINGS 335

14.1 Introduction / 335
14.2 Connectors in Side Grain / 336
14.3 Timber Connectors in End Grain / 347
14.4 Conclusion / 352

15 MOMENT SPLICES 353

15.1 Introduction / 353
15.2 Shear Transfer / 355
15.3 Moment Transfer / 355
15.4 Conclusion / 370
 CONTENTS ix

16 LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN 371

16.1 Introduction / 371
16.2 Design Values and Adjustment Factors / 372
16.3 Design Checks / 374
16.4 Conclusion / 381

17 TIMBER BRIDGES 382

17.1 Introduction / 382
17.2 Types of Timber Bridges / 383
17.3 Advantages of Glued Laminated Timber / 389
17.4 Preservative Treatments / 390
17.5 Wearing Surfaces / 391
17.6 Guardrails / 392
17.7 Design Methods / 393
17.8 Conclusion / 395

18 LRFD BRIDGE DESIGN 396

18.1 Introduction / 396
18.2 Longitudinal Stringers / 399
18.3 Transverse Glulam Deck Panels / 418
18.4 Longitudinal Deck (with Stiffeners) / 425
18.5 Conclusion / 432

19 ASD BRIDGE DESIGN 433

19.1 Introduction / 433
19.2 Longitudinal Stringers (Girders) / 436
19.3 Interconnected Transverse Deck Panels / 447
19.4 Non-Interconnected Transverse Deck Panels / 447
19.5 Longitudinal Deck (with Stiffeners) / 457
19.6 Static Design of Guardrail System / 463
19.7 Conclusion / 474

20 FIRE SAFETY 475

20.1 Introduction / 475
20.2 Types of Construction / 476
20.3 Lessons from Actual Fires / 476
x CONTENTS

20.4 Performance of Wood in Fire / 478

20.5 Wood versus Steel / 479
20.6 Heavy Timber Construction / 482
20.7 Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction / 483
20.8 Use of Stock Glulam Beams in Fire Rated Construction / 494
20.9 Fire Retardant Treatment / 495
20.10 Conclusion / 495

APPENDIX A DESIGN EXAMPLES 497

Introduction / 498

APPENDIX B REFERENCE INFORMATION 594

B.1 Beam Diagrams and Formulas / 595
B.2 Typical Fastener Dimensions and Yield Strengths / 617
B.3 Structural Glued Laminated Timber Reference Design
Values / 623

REFERENCES 630

INDEX 641
PREFACE

The American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC) has developed this Timber
Construction Manual for convenient reference by architects, engineers, contrac-
tors, teachers, the laminating and fabricating industry, and all others having a
need for reliable, up-to-date technical data and recommendations on engineered
timber construction. The information and the recommendations herein are based
on the most reliable technical data available and reect the commercial prac-
tices found to be most practical. Their application results in structurally sound
construction.
The American Institute of Timber Construction, established in 1952, is a non-
prot industry association for the structural glued laminated timber industry. Its
members design, manufacture, fabricate, assemble, and erect structural timber
systems utilizing both sawn and structural glued laminated timber components.
These systems are used in homes; schools; churches; commercial and industrial
buildings; and for other structures such as bridges, towers, and marine installa-
tions. Institute membership also includes engineers, architects, building ofcials,
and associates from other industries related to timber construction.
The rst edition of the Timber Construction Manual was published in 1966.
Changes in the wood products industry, technological advances, and improve-
ments in the structural timber fabricating industry necessitated revisions of the
Manual . New lumber sizes and revisions in grading requirements for lumber
and glued laminated timber were reected in the second edition published in
1974. The third edition was published in 1985 to reect new information on
timber design methods. The fourth edition of the Manual was published in 1994
and contained updated design procedures used for timber construction. The fth
edition (2005) added sections on timber rivet fasteners and load and resistance
factor design.

xi
xii PREFACE

This sixth edition represents a major revision of the format of the Timber Con-
struction Manual . Chapters have been completely restructured for more logical
and complete presentation of information. Long chapters have been divided into
smaller chapters for improved readability and reference.
The sixth edition has also been expanded with completely new chapters on
glulam arches, LRFD bridge design, re safety, and moment splices. More than 30
new design examples have been added, including an appendix entirely composed
of design examples.
Preparation of the Timber Construction Manual was guided by the AITC
Technical Advisory Committee and was carried out by AITC staff, the engineers
and technical representatives of AITC member rms, and private consultants.
Suggestions for the improvement of this manual will be welcomed and will
receive consideration in the preparation of future editions.
Although the information herein has been prepared in accordance with
recognized engineering principles and is based on the most accurate and
reliable technical data available, it should not be used or relied on for any
general or specic application without competent professional examination
and verication of their accuracy, suitability, and applicability by a licensed
professional engineer, designer, or architect. By the publication of this man-
ual, AITC intends no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, that
the information contained herein is suitable for any general or specic use
or is free from infringement of any patent or copyright. Any user of this
information assumes all risk and liability arising from such use.