TUTORIAL TIMBER DESIGN

Instructor: Miss Munawwarah Binti Ismail

TIMBER BEAM DESIGN

QUESTION 1
A 75 mm x 175 mm sawn timber beam as shown in Figure Q1 is supported at both ends on
100 mm wide brick wall. Assume the beam is to be designed for medium-term loading of
5.5 kN/m, strength grade SG5 and standard building grade with 20% moisture content:a.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the beam.

b.

Check whether the beam can sustain the load due to the shear,
bending and bearing stresses.
w = 5.5 kN/m

3750 mm
Figure Q1

QUESTION 2
The main beam shown in Figure Q2 supports a flooring system which is subjected to a
uniform long term duration loading (including its own self weight) over its span. The length
of the beam is 5 m and it is supported by 230 mm concrete column at both ends.

a.

Calculate the maximum Shear Force and Bending Moment.

b.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Elastic Modulus,

Zxx of the beam.

c.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the beam.

d.

Determine the maximum load that the beam can sustain due to
shear, bending and bearing stress check.
6.5 kN/m
75 x 100 mm sawn
section, SG4 select
structural and wet
condition timber.
5m
Figure Q2

QUESTION 3
The main beam shown in Figure Q3 supports a flooring system which is subjected to a
uniform medium term duration loading (including its own self weight) over its span. The
length of the beam is 4 m and it is supported by 150 mm concrete column at both ends.
a.

Calculate the maximum Shear Force and Bending Moment.

b.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Elastic Modulus,

Zxx of the beam.

c.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the beam.

d.

Determine the maximum load that the beam can sustain due to
shear, bending and bearing stress check.

Qk = 1.25 kN/m
Gk = 2.50 kN/m
150 x 175 mm sawn
section, SG2, select
structural and dry
condition timber.
4m
Figure Q3
QUESTION 4
The main beam shown in Figure Q4 supports a flooring system which is subjected to a
uniform long term duration loading (including its own self weight) over its span. The length
of the beam is 4.5 m and it is supported by 200 mm concrete column at both ends.
a.

Calculate the maximum Shear Force and Bending Moment.

b.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Elastic Modulus,

Zxx of the beam.

c.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the beam.

c.

Determine the maximum load that the beam can sustain due to
shear, bending and bearing stress check.
8 kN/m
75 x 100 mm sawn
section, SG4 select
structural and wet
condition timber.
4.5 m
Figure Q4

TIMBER COLUMN DESIGN

QUESTION 1
A circular timber column of 248 mm diameter (reduced size) with the ends conditions are
restrained at one end in position and in direction and the other end in direction but not in
position. The column has 4.5 m height and is made using Merbau timber, grade common
type and having 20% moisture content.

a.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Radius of

Gyration, r and Slenderness Ratio, of the column.

b.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the column.

c.

Determine the Limit Compression Stress, Cp.

d.

Determine the maximum load that the column can support.

Radius of gyration, r =

I.
A

Moment of inertia, I = d4
64

QUESTION 2
A timber column of section size 150 mm x 150 mm is restrained at both ends in position and
at one end in direction. The column is 4.0 m height and is made using Kembang
Semangkok timber, grade select with 17% moisture content.
a.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Radius of

Gyration, r and Slenderness Ratio, of the column.

b.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the column.

c.

Determine the Limit Compression Stress, Cp.

d.

Calculate the maximum long term concentric axial load.

Radius of gyration, r =

I.
A

Moment of inertia, I = bh3

12

QUESTION 3
A 125 mm x 125 mm timber column with strength grade SG1, standard type and having
moisture content of 20% is 4 m height. The column is restrained at both ends in position but
not in direction and is subjected to long term loading.
a.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Radius of

Gyration, r and Slenderness Ratio, of the column.

b.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the column.

c.

Determine the Limit Compression Stress, Cp.

d.

Determine the maximum load that the column can support.

Radius of gyration, r =

I.
A

Moment of inertia, I = bh3

12

QUESTION 4
A circular timber column of 260 mm diameter (reduced size) with the ends conditions are
restrained at both ends in position and at one end in direction. The column has 5.5 m height
and is made using SG3 timber, grade common type and having 17% moisture content.
a.

Calculate the Area, A, Second Moment of Area, Ixx, Radius of

Gyration, r and Slenderness Ratio, of the column.

b.

Identify the grade stresses and modification factor for the column.

c.

Determine the Limit Compression Stress, Cp.

d.

Determine the maximum load that the column can support.

Radius of gyration, r =

I.
A

Moment of inertia, I = d4
64

TIMBER CONECTION DESIGN

QUESTION 1
The nailed joint in Figure Q1 is subjected to a medium-term tensile loading P. The joint
comprises four (4) 3.7 mm diameter x 45 mm long. Determine the load-carrying capacity of
the timber connection is from J3 in dry condition.

25 mm

25 mm

Figure Q1