DESIGNS OF BEAMS

Laterally Supported Beam

When L/b<20
Use f=fb where fb = allowable bending stress.

Sample problem 1:
Using Yakal, design the size of a rectangular beam that will support the overhanging beam shown.

Sample problem 2:
A simply supported wooden beam of 4m having a channel cross section carries a uniformly distributed
w(kN/m).
a. Determine the maximum safe amount w that will not exceed allowable flexural stress in
compression of 6.9 MPa, in tension of 12 MPa, or shearing stress of 0.9MPa.
b. Compute the bending/flexural stress at A and B.
c. Compute the horizontal thrust at A and B.

Laterally Unsupported Beam

When L/b>20 when span w/ no lateral support exceeds 20 times the width of member.
𝐿
Allowable extreme fiber stress 𝑓 = 𝑓𝑏 (1 − )
100𝑏
Where
f = allowable extreme fiber stress for a beam laterally unsupported.
fb = allowable extreme fiber stress for the timber when the beam is laterally supported
L= unsupported span of beam
b = width of beam

Modification of design values

1. Bending Stress
a. Size factor adjustment
When the depth of a rectangular sawn lumber bending member 125mm or thicker
exceeds 300mm, the bending values shall be multiplied by Cf
1
300 9
𝐶𝑓 = ( )
𝑑

Cf = size factor
d = depth
Fb = allowable bending stress parallel to the grain
Fb’ = allowable bending stress with size factor adjustment.

2. Slenderness factor adjustment

When the depth of a bending member exceeds it breadth, lateral support may be required and
slenderness factor Cs shall be

𝐿𝑒 𝑑
𝐶𝑠 = √ 2
𝑏
Type of Beam Span and Nature of load Effective length, Le

1. Single – span beam, load concentrated at the center 1.61 Lu

2. Single – span beam, uniformly distributed load 1.92 Lu
3. Single – span beam, equal end moments 1.84 Lu
4. Cantilever beam, load concentrated at unsupported end 1.69 Lu
5. Cantilever beam, uniformly distributed load 1.06 Lu
6. Cantilever beam, uniformly distributed load with 1.69 Lu
Concentrated load at cantilever ends
7. Single – span or cantilever beam, any other load 1.92 Lu
Lu = unsupported length of beam, mm

When lateral support is provided to prevent rotation at the points of end bearing but no other lateral
support is provided throughout the length of the beam, the unsupported length Lu is the distance
between such points of end bearing or the lengths of the cantilever.

a. When Cs does not exceed 10, Cs ≤ 10 (Short Unbraced Beam)

Fb’ = Fb

b. When Cs >10 but but does not exceed Ck (Intermediate Unbraced Beam)

1 𝐶𝑠 4
𝐹𝑏′ = 𝐹𝑏 [1 − ( ) ]
3 𝐶𝑘

𝐸
𝐶𝑘 = 0.811√
𝐹𝑏

E = modulus of elasticity
Fb = Allowable bending stress parallel to the grain
Fb’ = Allowable bending stress with slenderness factor adjustment.

c. When Cs>Ck but less than 50 (Long Unbraced Beam)

0.438𝐸
𝐹𝑏′ =
𝐶𝑠2

Sample problem 1
A beam having a span length of 6m has two concentrated loads of 12kn each at the third points of span.
The beam is laterally unsupported. Design the appropriate size of beam to carry these loads if the
wooden section is 80% grade Guijo. Assume weight of wood equal to 7.0 kN/m 3.

Sample problem 2
Design the beam to carry a load consisting of two crane wheels, 3m apart moving over a rectangular
beam having a span of 7.0m. The weight of one wheel is 60kN and the other is 40kN. Allowable fiber
stress is 13MPa in bending and 1.36MPa in shearing. Use d=2b. Add 25% impact for live load and 5% for
the weight of beam. Wt. of wood is 7.0kN/m3.
NOTCHING ON BEAMS

I. SHEARING STRESS

If possible, notching of beams be avoided. Notches in a shown lumber bending moments shall not
exceeds 1/6 the depth of the member and shall not be locates in the middle third of the span.

1. When rectangular shaped girder beams or joists are notched at points of support on the tension
side (they shall meet the design requirements of that section in bending and in shear).
3𝑉 𝑑
𝜏= ( )
2𝑏𝑑 ′ 𝑑′
Where 𝜏 = allowable unit horizontal shear
V = shear force
b = width of rectangular member
d = total depth of beam
d’ = actual depth of notch
2. When girder, beams or joists are notched at points of support on the tension side. (for bending
members with other than rectangular or circular cross section and notched at point).

3𝑉 𝑑
𝜏= ( )
2𝐴𝑛 𝑑𝑛

Where An = cross sectional area of notched member

d = total depth of beam

dn = actual depth of beam notch

3. When girder, beams or joists are notched at a point of support on the compression side, the
shear such point shall not exceed
2 (𝑑 − 𝑑 ′ )
𝑉 = 𝜏𝑏 (𝑑 − 𝑒)
3 𝑑′
Where d = total depth of beam
d’ = actual depthof beam notch
e = distance notch extends inside the inner edge of support

II. BEARING STRESS

There are various situation in which a wood member may develop a contact bearing stress; essentially a
surface compression stress. Some examples are the following:

a. At the base of a wood column supported in direct bearing.This is the case of bearing stress that
is in a direction parallel to the grain.
b. At the end of a beam that is supported by bearing on support. This is the case of bearing stress
that is perpendicular to the grain.
c. Within a bolted connection at the contact surface between the bolt and the wood at the edge of
the bolt hole.
d. In a timber truss where a compression force is developed by direct bearing between the
member.

This is frequently a situation involving bearing stress that is at some angle to the grain other than
parallel or perpendicular.
For a bearing of less than 150mm in length (and not nearer than 75mm to the end of a member), the
maximum allowable load per square mm may be obtained by multiplying the allowable unit stress in
compression perpendicular to the grain by factor given by:

𝑙𝑏 + 9.5
𝐶𝑏 =
𝑙𝑏

Where 𝑙𝑏 is the length of bearing in mm measured along the grain of the wood.

Sample Problem 1.

Determine the safe concentrated load at the center that could be carried by a 200mmx360mm on a
simple span 6m, if it has an allowable bending of 10.35MPa and an allowable shearing stress of
1.10MPa. There is a notch at the end of the beam which is 100mm deep. Neglect the weight of the
beam.

Sample Problem 2.

Two wooden beams are to support a wooden form filled with concrete as shown. Determine the depths
of the wooden beams if their thickness is 50mm. Also calculate how deep the beam should be dapped
(notched) into the 100mmx200mm wooden posts (as bearing areas) to support these beams. Use the
following design assumptions. Neglect lateral supports and consider the nominal dimensions.

Weight of concrete = 23.5KN/cu.m.

Allowable stresses in the woodd:

Bending stress: 10.35MPa

Compression parallel to grain: 9.60MPa

Compression perpendicular to grain: 0.70 MPa

Shear parallel to grain: 0.85MPa