Design of timber to BS 5268

DESIGN OF TIMBER TO BS 5268: Part 02 - 1996

CEX 6332

1.

M. F. M ABDULLAH

INTRODUCTION

Wood is a very versatile raw material and still widely used in construction. Timber can be used in a
range of structural applications including marine works, piers, cofferdams, bridges, roofs, floors, etc.
There is an enormous variety of timber species. They are divided into softwoods and hardwoods.

1.1

Timber as a structural material

Renewable sources

Versatile and adaptable

Easy to work with it

Joints can be fabricated with simple tools

It has both tension and compression

Timber is durable given favorable conditions

It is attractive, decorative

Creates a feeling warmth in cold condition and feeling coolness in hot condition

1.2 Structural properties

In the timber obtained from such tree trunk, due to the grain structure, several mechanical properties
related to the grain orientation would become important in the perspective design. Below table shows
the mechanical properties of interest for timber.

High strength to void ratio

Anisotropic

Good strength in both compression and tension

Good strength in both shear and torsion

Very tough

Durable

Good connectivity

Design of timber to BS 5268

1.3 Engineering (Mechanical) properties

1.4 Factors affecting the strength properties of timber

Moisture content of the element

Growth characteristics of the parent tree

Duration of loading

Size and shape of the elements

Moisture content

Moisture content affect

o Weight of timber
o Strength properties of timber
o Affect of shrink
o Attack by fungi and insets

Timber in moisture in present in two forms

o

Free moisture (Moisture within the cell cavities)

Bound moisture (Moisture within the cell walls)

Amount of moisture

Design of timber to BS 5268

Freshly converted timber (Green timber) 40% - 200%

When timber dries the free moisture and remaining is bound moisture, This is called a Fibre
Saturation Point (FSP) 25% - 30%

Note:

If the cell walls are still saturated is known as FSP. At levels of moisture above the FSP, the most
physical and mechanical properties remain constant. Variations in moisture content below FSP cause
considerable changes to properties such as weight, strength, elasticity, shrinkage, and durability. The
controlled drying of timber is known as seasoning.

Growth characteristics of the parent rock

Knots Part of branch or roots enclosed in a timber

Wane Parts of a weak timber, Reduces effective cross sectional area and effect on bearing
`

strength

Fissures Separations between or across growth rings.

Duration of loadings
The length of time that a load is present on a timber member affects the ultimate
strength of the member. This is accounted in terms of derivation of grade stresses of
timber and then by the application of appropriate modification factor.

Size and shape of the elements

Bending strength of timber is lower for larger sections of timber than for smaller
sections

1.5 Characteristics which influence design and are specific to timber

Moisture content

The different in strength when loads are applied parallel and perpendicular to
the grain direction

The duration of application of loads

The method adopted for strength grading of timber

Design of timber to BS 5268

2.0 GENERAL ASPECTS

Stress Grading

Grade stress and Strength class

Permissible stress

Stress grading
1) The strength of timber is a function of several parameters including moisture content, density,
size of specimen and the presence of various strength reducing characteristics such as knots,
slope of grain, wane, etc.
2) The strength of the timber was obtained by carrying out short-term loading test on smaller
timber specimens free from all defects
3) The characteristic stress obtained is divided by factor of safety to obtain the basic stress.
4) Basic stress Stress which could safety be permanently sustained by timber free from any
strength reducing characteristics.
5) Basic stress however not directly applicable to structural size timber since structural size
timber invariably contains defects, which further reduces its strength.
6) The grade stress is obtained by multiplying the basic stress by strength ratio which depends
on grade of the timber and the property under consideration.
Grade Stress = Basic stress x Strength ratio

Grade stress and strength class

Table 7, Bs 5268 gives the typical timber species/grade combinations and associated grade stress and
moduli of elasticity. This information would enable the designer to determine the size of a timber
member given the intensity and distribution of the loads to be carried.

Permissible stresses

1. When using a permissible stress design, the margin of safety is introduced by considering the
structural behavior under working/service load conditions and comparing the stresses ther by
induced with permissible values.
2. The permissible values are obtained by dividing the failure stresses by an appropriate factor of
safety. The applied stresses are determined using elastic analysis techniques

Design of timber to BS 5268

Stress induced by working loads < Failure stress / Factor of safety

The grade stresses given in Table above were derived assuming particular conditions of service and
loading. In order to take account of the actual conditions that individual members will be subjected to
during their design life time. The grade stresses are multiplied by modification factors known as k
factors known as K-factors.

3.0 MODIFICATION FACTORS

The inherently variable nature of timber and its effect on structural materials properties such as
stress-strain characteristics, elasticity and creep has resulted in more than eighty different
modification factors which are used in converting grade stresses to permissible stresses for design
purpose.
In general, when designing to satisfy strength requirements (Axial, bending, shear strength) the
following relationship must be satisfied.
Applied stress < Permissible stress
Applied stresses are calculated using elastic theory, and the permissible stresses are determined from
the code of practice.
Table 01: Modification factors Solid beams

Factors
K1

Application

Clause

Geometry (Thickness, Radius of gyration, Area,

location
Text book

1st moment of area, 2nd moment of area, Section modulus)

K2

Service class 03 sections (Wet exposure): All stresses

Cl: 2.6.2

Table 16

K3

Load duration: All stresses (does not apply to E or G)

Cl: 2.7

Table 14

K4

Bearing stress

Cl: 2.10.2

Table 15

K5

Shear at notched ends : shear stress

Cl: 2.10.4

Equations given

K6

Cross-section shape (form factor): bending stress

Cl: 2.10.5

vales has given

K7

Depth of section: bending stress

Cl: 2.1.6

Equations given

K8

Load sharing: All stresses

Cl: 2.9

Values given

K9

Load sharing: Modulus of elasticity of trimmer joists and

Cl 2.10.11

Table 17

lintols

Design of timber to BS 5268

Table 02: Modification factors Axially loaded members

Factors

Application

Clause

location

K2

Service class 03 sections (Wet exposure): All stresses

Cl: 2.6.2

Table 16

K3

Load duration: All stresses (does not apply to E or G)

Cl: 2.7

Table 14

K8

Load sharing: All stresses

Cl: 2.9

Values given

K9

Load sharing: Modulus of elasticity of trimmer joists and

Cl 2.10.11

Table 17

lintols
K12

Slenderness of columns

Cl: 2.11.1

Table 19

K13

Spaced columns: Effective length

Cl: 2.11.10

Table 20

K14

Width factor: Tensile stresses

Cl: 2.12.2

Values given

3.1)

Moisture Content (K2)

The value of K2 is govern by the average moisture content likely to be attained in service conditions.
The strength and stiffness of timber decrease with increasing moisture content. This effect is taken
into account by assigning timber used for structural work to a service class. They are
Service class 01: Moisture content in the materials corresponding to a temperature of 200C and

relative humidity of the surrounding air only exceeds 65% for a few weeks per year.
Average moisture content not exceeding 12%
Service class 02: Moisture content by a moisture content in the materials corresponding to a

temperature of 200C and relative humidity of the surrounding air only exceeds 85%
for a few weeks per year. Average moisture content not exceeding 20%.
Service class 03: Due to climatic condition, by moisture conditions most timber will attain an average

moisture higher than service class 0

3.2)

Notched ends (K5)

Notches at the ends of flexural members will result in high shear concentrations which may cause
structural failure. In notched members the grade shear stress parallel to the grain are multiplied by a
modification factor
3.3)

Load sharing (K8)

The grade stresses are given in the BS table. Isolated and beams and columns. When four or more
members. When designing structures in which four or more members, which are no greater than 610
mm apart, are connected by structural elements which provide lateral load distribution of load(load
sharing) the grade stress can be enhanced by multiplying by K8.
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Design of timber to BS 5268

4.0)

FLEXURAL MEMBERS

Beams are most commonly used structural elements. The cross sections of the timber beam
may be one of a number frequently used sections. The principal considerations in the design
of all beams are.

Shear

Bending

Deflection

Bearing

Lateral stability (Lateral torsion buckling)

The size of timber beams may be governed by the requirements of:

The elastic section modulus(Z), to limit the bending stresses and ensure that neither
lateral torsion buckling of the compression flange nor fracture of the tension flange
induces failure.

The cross section, to ensure that the vertical and or horizontal shear stresses do not
induce failure.

The second moment of area, to limit the deflection induced by bending and or shear
action to acceptable limits

4.1)

Bending

01 Evaluate Z and I

M = = E and = Ma
I

y R

(I/y)

Also [(I/y) = Z (Section modulus) and

I = bd3/12]

02 Design bending
moment
03 Applied bending

For simply support

Ma = WL2 ,

beam

For dry condition ,

m,app,par = Ma

stress

Z
For wet condition ,

m,app,par =

Ma
ZxK1

04 Permissible bending

m,adm,par = m,grade,par x K2xK3xK6xK7xK8

stress
05 Check for capacity

Should be

m,app,par < m,adm,par

And limitation

Design of timber to BS 5268

Flexural members are not fail in bending, the design moment, M, must not exceed the moment
of resistance, MR, or Applied bending stress must not exceed admissible bending stress.

Deflection
The adopt an arbitrary limiting value adopted in BS 5268: part 2 is (0.003 x span) when fully loaded.
In the case of domestic floor there is an additional recommendation of limiting deflection less than or
equals to 14 mm.
The total deflection is the summation of the bending deflection (m )and shear deflection (

01

Deflection due to bending

Actual ( m)

(m,act) = 5WL4

( m)

(Dry condition)

Actual ( m)

384EI

(m,act ) =

(Wet exposure)

5WL4
384 x (E xK2) x (I x K1)

If load sharing

E = Emean

If no load

E = Emin

sharing
02

Deflection due to Shear ( v)

Actual ( v)

(v,act) =

(Dry condition)

Actual ( v)

Total deflection

04

Limit deflection

05

Check for capacity and

, (But = Emin / 16

20xxA

(v,act) =

(Wet exposure)

03

3WL2

3WL2

,(But = Emin/16)

20 x (xK2) x (AxK1)

Total = m,act + v,act

all = 0.003L , L = effective length
Should be

Total < all

limitation

Design of timber to BS 5268

4.2)

Shear

01 Design Shear force

max
02 Applied shear stress

For simply support

max = WL ,

beam
For dry condition ,

2
m,app,par = max
A

For wet condition ,

m,app,par =

max
AxK1

03 Permissible shear stress

04 Check for capacity

4.3)

m,adm,par = m,grade,par x K2xK3xK5xK8

Should be

m,app,par < m,adm,par

Bearing (Perpendicular to grain)

For a beam with a rectangular cross section, the maximum applied shear occurs at the neutral
axis and is given by.
01

Applied concentrated

Take as design shear force

P = WL/2

For dry condition ,

c, app,per = P/Ab

load (P)
02

Applied compression
Perpendicular to grain

Ab = Actual bearing area

For dry condition ,

c, app,per = P/Ab x K1)

Ab = Actual bearing area

Design of timber to BS 5268

03

Permissible

If bearing length > 150 mm

c,adm,per = c,grade,per x K2xK3xK8

If bearing length <150 mm

c,adm,per = c,grade,per x K2xK3xK4xK8

Should be

c,app,per < c,adm,per

compression
Perpendicular to grain

04

4.4)

Check for capacity

Lateral stability (Lateral torsion buckling)

If flexural members are not effectively laterally restrained, it is possible for the member to twist
sideway before developing its full flexural strength, thereby causing it to fall in bending, shear or
deflection. This phenomenon is called as lateral torsion buckling can be avoided by ensuring that the
depth to breath ration given in the BS 5268 Table 16

(d/b)act < (d/b)all

Design of timber to BS 5268

The critical value of bending moment which induces this type of failure is depended on several
parameters.

Relative cross section dimensions

Shape

Modulus of elasticity (E)

Shear modulus (G)

Span

Degree of lateral retrains to the compression flange

Type of loading

5.0)

COMPRESSION MEMBERS

Struts and columns are examples of compression members. For design purpose code divides
compression members into two categories. They are

Members subjected to axial compression only

Members subjected to bending and axial compression

The principal considerations in the design of compression members are,

1. Slenderness ratio
2. Axial compressive stress
3. Permissible compressive stress

5.1)

Slenderness ratio
The load carrying capacity of compression members is a function of the slenderness
ratio .
= Le / i
Where,
Le = Effective length
i = Radius of gyration

According to the code says in clause 2.11.4 of BS 5268, the slenderness ration should not
exceed 180 for compression members carrying dead and imposed loads other than loads
resulting from wind in which case a slenderness ratio of 250 may be acceptable.
Radius of gyration , i = (I/A)
Where,
I = Moment of inertia
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Design of timber to BS 5268

A = Cross section area

For a rectangular section i = b/12

The effective length le, of a column is obtained by multiplying the actual length, L, by
coefficient taken from Table 18 of BS 5268 which is function of fixity of column ends
Le = L x Coefficient

5.2)

Axial compressive stress

The axial compressive stress is given by
c,app,,par = F/A
Where,
F = Design axial load
A = Cross sectional area

5.3)

Permissible compressive stress

According to the clause 2.11.5, BS 5268, permissible stress is depends on slenderness ratio
If < 5, c,adm,par = c,g,par x K2xK3xK8
If > 5, c,adm,par = c,g,par x K2xK3xK8 xK12

5.4)

MEMBER DESIGN

5.4.1) Members subjected to axial load only

01 Calculate design load

Under service load

Dead load + live load

combination
02 Calculate applied stress

03 Calculate slenderness ratio

Dry condition

c,app,,par = F/A

Wet exposure

c,app,,par = F/A x K1

See section 5.1

04 Calculate c, ,par

c, ,par = c,grade,par x K2 x K3

05 Calculate the ratio of

Emin / c, ,par

06 Obtain the value of K12

Only if > 5

From Cl: 2.11.1 table 19

07 Calculate admissible stress

Depends on slenderness

c,adm,par = c,g,par x K2xK3xK8 xK12

ratio, (ex-If > 5)

08 Check for capacity

Should be

c,app,,par < c,adm,par

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Design of timber to BS 5268

5.4.2) Members subjected to axial load and bending

This category includes compression members subjected to eccentric loading which can be equated to
an axial compression force and bending moment. The slenderness members subjected to axial
compressive loads there is tendency for lateral instability to occur. This type of failure is called as
buckling and is reflected in the modification factor K12 which is used to reduce the permissible

compressive stress in member. A members which are restrained at both ends in position but not
direction, which covers most real situations, should be proportioned that
c,app,par
c,adm,par

m,app,par
m,adm,par
c,app,par
c,adm,par

m,app,par
m,app,par [ 1 1.5 x c,app,par x K12]
e

<1

= Applied bending stress

= Permissible bending stress
= Applied compression stress
= permissible compression stress (including K12)

e = Euler critical stress

e = 2Emin/(Le/i)2
For wet exposure,
e = 2Emin x K2/(Le/i)2

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