TIMBER DESIGN

Solve and answer the following problems. No credit is given to correct answers without
a solution.
Problem 1:
What is the corrected bending stress, in MPa, of a wooden beam 50 mm x 300 mm having an effective length of 5
m if the allowable bending stress is 12 MPa? E = 8.2 GPa.
a. 4.86
c. 12.00
b. 5.98
d. not permitted by the Code
Problem 2:
A 100 mm x 300 mm rectangular beam carries a uniform distributed load of w (N/m) over its entire span. The
beam is freely supported at its end. The reduced allowable bending stress is 8.27 MPa while the maximum
allowable shearing stress is 0.70 MPa. What is the span of the beam in meters?
a. 5.34
c. 3.54
b. 4.35
d. 6.25
Situation Problem
A simply supported wooden beam 300 mm in depth with a span of 7 m carries a uniformly distributed load of 7.6
kN/ m including its own weight.
Problem 3: What is the width of the beam in mm when f b = 12.5 MPa?
a. 200
c. 150
b. 275
d. 250
Problem 4: Upon installation of the beam, it was found out that there will be an additional concentrated load of
19.8 kN at midspan. What thickness of steel plates, in mm, to be used to reinforce the sides of the beam if its
depth is to be maintained due to architectural limitations. Use fs = 124.1 MPa, Es = 200 GPa and Ew = 12.5 GPa.
a. 5.72
c. 14.00
b. 8.75
d. 10.25
Situation Problem
A 100 mm x 100 mm wood compression member frames to a 100 mm x 150 mm member at angle 30 0 as shown
in Figure. The allowable compressive stress parallel to the grain is 6 MPa and the allowable compressive stress
perpendicular to the grain is 2.5 MPa. The applied load is 28 kN.
Problem 5: What is the allowable compressive stress in MPa on plane B-C using Hankinsons Formula?
a. 5.49
c. 4.62
b. 3.15
d. 6.10
Problem 6: What is the allowable compressive stress in MPa on plane A-B using Hankinsons Formula?
a. 6.10
c. 2.60
b. 5.86
d. 3.15
Problem 7: What is the bearing stress in MPa on plane B-C?
a. 3.15
c. 6.25
b. 4.62
d. 5.23
Problem 8: What is the bearing stress in MPa on plane A-B?
a. 1.05
c. 0.52
b. 0.38
d. 0.22

Situation Problem
A square timber column with dimension B = 150 mm has a height of 4 m. The column is fixed at both ends (effective length
factor = 0.80). The timber is 80% stress grade Apitong. The properties of structural timber of Apitong are:
Bending and tension parallel to grain = 16.50 MPa
Modulus of elasticity in bending = 7.31GPa
Compression parallel to grain = 9.56 MPa
Compression perpendicular to grain = 2.20 MPa
Shear parallel to grain = 1.73 MPa

Problem 9: What is the classification of the column?

a. intermediate
b. short

c. long
d. pedestal

Problem 10: What is the allowable compressive stress in MPa?

a. 4.83
c. 3.25
b. 7.79
d. 9.56
Problem 11: What is the maximum compressive load in kN?
a. 98.75
c. 201.12
b. 175.48
d. 108.67

Answer to the Problems

Problem 1. b (5.98 MPa)
Problem 2: c (3.54 m)
Situation Problem 3 & 4
Problem 3: d (250mm)
Problem 4: c (14 mm)
Situation Problem 5 to 8
Problem 5: a (5.49 MPa)
Problem 6: c (2.60 MPa)
Problem 7: d (5.23 MPa)
Problem 8: b (0.38 MPa)
Situation Problem 9 to 11
Problem 9: c (long)
Problem 10: a ( 4.83 MPa)
Problem 11: d ( 108.67 kN)