Design in timber to BS 5268

Table 6.9 Bending and shear deflections 6.7.4 LATERAL BUCKLING

assuming G = E/16 If flexural members are not effectively laterally
restrained, it is possible for the member to twist
Load distribution Deflection at sideways before developing its full flexural strength
and supports Centre C or end E (Fig. 6.5 ), thereby causing it to fail in bending,
shear or deflection. This phenomenon is called
Bending Shear lateral buckling and can be avoided by ensuring
that the depth to breadth ratios given in Table 6.10
w C are complied with.
5 wL4 12 wL2
× ×
L 384 EI 5 EA 6.7.5 SHEAR
If flexural members are not to fail in shear, the
W applied shear stress parallel to the grain, τa, should
WL3 24 WL
×
not exceed the permissible shear stress, τadm:
C 48 EI 5 EA
L /2 L /2
τa ≤ τadm (6.14)

W W
C Wa  L2 a2  96 Wa
a a  −  ×
EI  8 6 5 EA Lateral
L displacement

w C Original position of
wL4 12 wL2
L
× beam shown dotted
384 EI 5 EA

W
WL3 24 WL
C ×
L /2 L /2 192EI 5 EA

an
w Sp Lateral displacement
E wL4 48 wL2
×
L 8 EI 5 EA

W
WL3 96 WL
×
L E 3EI 5 EA
Fig. 6.5 Lateral buckling.

Table 6.10 Maximum depth to breadth ratios (Table 19, BS 5268)

Degree of lateral support Maximum depth

to breadth ratio

No lateral support 2
Ends held in position 3
Ends held in position and member held in line, as by purlins or 4
tie-rods at centres not more than 30 times the breadth of the member
Ends held in position and compression edge held in line, 5
as by direct connection of sheathing, deck or joists
Ends held in position and compression edge held in line, as by direct 6
connection of sheathing, deck or joists, together with adequate bridging
or blocking spaced at intervals not exceeding six times the depth
Ends held in position and both edges held firmly in line 7

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