Beam Design - Basic

By John F Mann, PE
Sections
INTRODUCTION
RECTANGULAR BEAM
LATERAL BRACING
BEAM DESIGN EXAMPLE
WOOD BEAM DESIGN REFERENCES
I-BEAM TYPE WOOD JOISTS
BEAM DESIGN SOFTWARE

Introduction
This discussion is intended to provide an overview of basic requirements for general beam
design, for any material. Example calculations are for design of basic wood beams.

A beam is most often understood to be an element that supports load over space. However, the
key characteristic is that the beam resists load primarily in bending (flexure) and shear,
perpendicular to the length of the beam.

In contrast, a column resists load primarily in compression parallel to the length of the column.

Most often we see horizontal beams. Yet, beams can be sloped, as for a gable roof, or even
vertical, to resist wind. Some beams are also columns, such as wall studs.

Many sources of information are available to allow for selection of beams, including floor joists.
However, except for very short headers over small windows and doors, beam design should be
performed by qualified designers only. Proper beam design requires consideration of many
factors (such as lateral bracing) that are often easy to overlook.

See other pages on this site (such as "Structural Ridge Beam", "Design To Minimize Deflection"
and "Wood Framing For Tile Flooring") for more detailed information about beam design.

The following information is required for beam design;

 Values, type (uniform, concentrated,varying) and locations of design loads to be

supported
 Number and locations of supports along beam which defines span lengths between
supports
 Type of supports (hinge or "simple", "fixed", continuous)
 Allowable dimensions (depth or height, and width or thickness)
 Spacing between lateral bracing of compression edge or flange
 Design properties of beam (shear, bending, bearing)
 Design capacity of supports, which may include connection hardware (such as hanger)
 Allowable deflection
  Design factors that may be applicable, as specified by building code or other governing
design code.

For a beam that must support floor joists only, and a rectangular floor layout, calculation of
design loading is relatively straightforward. However, complications often occur, such as bearing
walls supporting upper floors or heavy equipment not included in general uniform design loads.

Calculation of design loads can be complicated, especially when a beam on a lower floor must
support loads from other beams, some of which may be from upper floors.

For general building design, the governing building code specifies "minimum" design loads. For
some conditions, special design codes are applicable. For conditions not addressed by any code,
careful study of expected and unexpected events must be performed to develop adequate design
loads.

Any beam must have adequate strength, to resist failure, and stiffness, to prevent excessive
movement (deflection). Stiffness is the inverse of flexibility; greater stiffness results in less
flexibility.

In general, strength and stiffness of a beam is influenced much more by the depth (height) than
by width (thickness).

For a beam with rectangular cross section, bending (flexural) strength is a function of the square
(second power) of the depth (height). A similar, though more complicated, relation applies for I-
beam shapes.

With all other factors the same, a rectangular beam with depth of 12 inches has a bending
strength that is 4 times that of a beam with 6-inch depth.

Bending strength of the beam is dependent on the "section modulus".

For a beam with cross section that is symmetrical about the horizontal axis (of the cross section),
section modulus is the same for compression and tension bending stress. For non-symmetrical
cross section, section modulus is different for compression and tension flexural stress.

Rectangular Beam
Bending stress (compression and tension) acts parallel to length of the beam. At any section of a
beam, bending stress varies through the depth. The general formula for bending stress is;

Bending stress, fb = M c / I
M = Bending moment at the section
c = distance (vertically) from neutral axis
I = Moment of inertia at the section
Stress is zero at the neutral axis (c = 0), which is at mid-height for a rectangular beam or any
beam with section that is symmetrical about a horizontal axis. At any section, maximum bending
stress (compression and tension) occurs at the upper and lower edges.

At any section of the beam, maximum bending stress (compression and tension) is equal to
moment (M) divided by section modulus (S). For a beam with two simple (hinge) supports (one
at each end), and for load acting towards the beam, maximum compression stress occurs at the
loaded edge or face. Maximum tension stress occurs at the opposite edge or face. For load acting
away from the beam, the sense of maximum stresses are of course reversed.

General formula for section modulus is;

S = I / cmax

I = moment of inertia at section

cmax = distance from neutral axis to upper edge or lower edge

As noted above, there are generally two section modulus values at any cross section; one for top
edge of beam (S-top; compression flexural stress for simple beam) and one for bottom edge of
beam (S-bottom; tension flexural stress for simple beam). However, for a beam with symmetrical
cross section, each section modulus value is the same (S-top = S-bottom).

For a rectangular beam, section modulus is calculated as;

S = B H^2 / 6

where; B = width
H = depth (parallel to direction of load)

Width (B) and depth (H) must of course be in the same units (generally inches). In the US, units
for section modulus are generally calculated as inches to the third power (cubed). Outside the
US, SI units would generally be used, such as centimeters to the third power.

For a built-up beam consisting of two 2x10s (9-1/4 inch deep by 3 inches thick), section modulus
is calculated as;

S = [ 3" x (9.25")^2 ] / 6 = 42.8 in^3

For a beam supporting uniform load (w) along the entire length, maximum bending moment (at
midspan) is calculated as;

Moment, M = wL^2 / 8

Units for uniform load w are force per distance, such as pounds per foot (often noted as PLF or
pounds per linear foot).

Reaction force, R (acting in opposite direction to loading) occurs at each support;

Reaction, R = wL/2

Moment varies with square of span length (L), such that required moment strength increases very
quickly as the span length increases. For example, increasing span length from 10 feet to 12 feet
results in a 44% increase in maximum moment (for the same uniform load).

Units for moment are often calculated initially in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). However, for calculation
of bending stress (M/S) the length units for moment must be the same as for section modulus
(generally inches). Therefore, moment in foot-pounds often must be converted into inch-
pounds. A common mistake is to use inconsistent length units when calculating moment.

The resulting value from dividing moment (M) by section modulus (S) will most often be in
pounds per square inch (psi).

Span length is clear span plus the lesser of; (1) Half width of support, such as wall, at each end,
or (2) Half depth of beam, at each end.

Calculated bending stress must be compared to allowable bending stress, which is typically
defined by the building code. In general, the building code will reference another governing code
for each particular material (wood, steel, concrete, aluminum).

For design of wood beams, the governing design code is National Design Specification For
Wood Construction (NDS), published by the American Wood Council. The NDS code includes
detailed provisons that govern design.

Basic allowable bending stress for typical wood species and grade of sawn lumber (such as
Douglas Fir, Hem Fir, Spruce Pine Fir) is in the range of 850 psi to 950 psi. However, there are
numerous adjustment factors that may be applicable which will most often (though not always)
allow for increase of the basic allowable stress.

For a continuous beam with more than two supports, bending stress reversal occurs over and near
interior supports; tension stress at loaded face (for loading acting towards the beam) and
compression stress at opposite face. This condition also occurs for the cantilevered segment of
any beam.

A beam must also resist "shear", which is most often visualized as the beam being cut through,
as if cut with a saw. However, shear is generally much more complicated. For wood beams,
"horizontal" shear (parallel to wood grain) is most important. For reinforced concrete beams,
"diagonal" shear governs.

For practical design of wood beams, shear stress caused by design shear force (at a specific
location along the beam) is most often compared to allowable shear stress, as defined by the
governing code. For reinforced concrete and steel beams, design shear force (at any location
along beam) is also compared to design shear capacity (at that same location or section).
Design shear force to be resisted may be modified to account for the complexity of shear
behavior for the particular material.

For a uniformly loaded beam, shear force varies at a constant rate along length of beam, with the
mathematical sign (positive or negative) changing from one end to the other. Shear is zero at
midspan.

Shear force changes abruptly at concentrated ("point") loads.

For a simply-supported beam with two supports, basic design (maximum) shear force is the
"reaction" force that occurs at each end-support. This may be reduced slightly to account for
beneficial effects of compression near the support, in accordance with code provisions. However,
for practical design, the full reaction force is most often used.

Average shear stress is simply design shear force divided by area of the beam "web", which is
generally a part of the cross section with long dimension parallel to direction of force. For wood
beams and concrete beams with rectangular cross section, the web is the same as the cross
section. However, for I-beam shapes (wood, steel, prestressed concrete), flanges are generally
not included in the web.

For a wood beam with rectangular cross section, design shear stress is the average shear stress
times 1.5 (3/2), which accounts for the actual distribution of shear stress within the cross section,
which varies from zero at a free edge to maximum at the neutral axis. Multiplication of basic
shear stress times the 1.5 factor is often overlooked.

Lateral Bracing
An essential but often overlooked requirement for any beam, especially a long beam, is adequate
lateral bracing. Without proper bracing, the beam will fail by buckling sideways long before
failure in bending or shear. Such buckling is similar to how an unbraced compression member
(column) fails.

The compression edge (flange for steel I-beam) must be braced against lateral movement.
Typically this can be accomplished by connecting framing members (joists) or decking.
However, a positive connection must be specified by the designer, not merely assumed.

Allowable design stress in bending is reduced when spacing of lateral bracing exceeds the
maximum allowed for use of full allowable design stress. However, at some spacing value,
allowable stress is zero. Calculation of allowable bending stress for various spacing of lateral
bracing is performed using standard formulas specified by governing design codes.

Careful consideration of lateral bracing must be made for design of beams subject to reversal of
loading, such as for a roof beam that must resist wind uplift. The lower, tension edge for gravity
(downward) loading then becomes the compression edge for upward loading. However, since
there is no roof deck available to brace the lower edge, some other method of lateral bracing
must be provided, or the beam must have adequate strength without lateral bracing.
Temporary bracing must often be installed during construction. Such bracing may be necessary
for lateral bracing of compression edge. Bracing may also be required to prevent rollover of one
or more beams.

A key requirement, also overlooked, is that the bracing itself must also be braced by some
substantial building element. Entire roof and floor systems have collapsed during construction
due to failure of builder to properly brace each line of lateral bracing.

Beam Design Example

A rectangular wood beam is to be designed to support first floor joists only (no bearing walls or
other loads). The beam is to be simply supported at each end on support walls (2x4s). Clear span
between stud walls is 14 feet. Span length is then 14.3 feet.

Joist span lengths are 10 feet on one side and 16 feet on the other side. Uniform design loads are
10 psf dead load and 40 psf live load. Total design load is then calculated;

Design load on beam = (10 psf + 40 psf) (10 feet / 2 + 16 feet / 2)

= 50 psf x 13 feet
= 650 PLF

Weight of the beam must also be included. For initial design, assume 20 PLF beam weight.

In general, strength is checked for total load. Deflection is typically checked for live load only
and for total load.

Forces are first calculated for total load;

Reaction (each end), R = 670 PLF (14.3 ft / 2) = 4,791 lbs

Moment (midspan), M = 670 PLF (14.3 ft)^2 / 8 = 17,126 ft-lbs

Moment is converted to 205, 513 inch-lbs.

No adjustment factors are applicable.

For allowable bending stress of 900 psi, required section modulus is calculated as;

S required = 205,513 in-lbs / 900 psi = 228 in^3

Required depth (h) can be calculated for a given thickness using basic algebra. In practice,
section modulus of standard beam sizes are checked to determine required size. For a built-up
wood beam, using 2x12s, section modulus is calculated for a beam of 2-2x12s and 4-2x12s;

Section modulus (2-2x12s), S = 3 in (11.25 in)^2 / 6 = 63 in^3

This is clearly much less than required. Even 6-2x12s do not have adequate strength. Therefore,
an LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beam is considered.

For a standard Microllam LVL beam, allowable bending stress is 2600 psi. Small adjustment
might be applicable as function of beam depth (per manufacturer formula) however the basic
allowable is used for this example.

S required = 205,513 in-lbs / 2600 psi = 79 in^3

Section modulus is first calculated for 3-1/2 inch thick beam, with 11-1/4 inch depth (same as
2x12);

S =3.5 in (11.25in)^2 / 6 = 74 in^3 < 79 in^3 Not Adequate

Beam depth or thickness (or both) can be increased to increase section modulus. For any specific
case, one or the other may be limited by functional requirements. Beam thickness may have to be
increased to limit bearing stresses, especially for relatively short beams or when there is a large
point load near a support.

Increasing beam depth (if allowable) is most effective based on material quantity. Section
modulus is then calculated for standard LVL depth of 11-7/8 inches;

S = 3.5 in (11.875 in)^2 / 6 = 82 in^3 OK

Shear stress is calculated for maximum shear force. For a simply supported beam, maximum
shear, which occurs at end of beam, is equal to the end reaction force. A small reduction can be
calculated if necessary, as discussed below. Maximum shear stress is shear force divided by
cross sectional area of the beam (at the location of shear force), multiplied by 1.5 as previously
noted;

Shear stress, v = 1.5 (4,791 lbs / (11.875 in x 3.5 in) )

= 173 psi

Allowable shear stress for Microllam LVL is 285 psi, so that the proposed beam has adequate
shear strength.

If necessary, for beam with uniform load, and supported from underneath, design shear force can
be taken as the shear that occurs a distance "d" from face of support, with "d" being depth of
beam. This standard code provision reduces design shear by an amount equal to the uniform load
times the sum of; (1) Distance from face of support to end of beam (per design), and (2) Depth of
beam. Of course length units for load and each distance must be consistent.

Live load deflection is most often the key deflection value to be checked. See "Design To
Minimize Deflection" for detailed discussion.
For the LVL beam (11-7/8 x 3-1/2), moment of inertia (I) is 488 in^4. Modulus of elasticity is
1900 ksi or 1,900,000 psi. Midspan deflection of 0.48 inches is equal to Span / 360, which
happens to also be 0.48 inches.

Of course, for many applications, there may be a more conservative deflection limit. In that case,
a deeper beam is most likely required, unless the difference (between calculated and allowable
values) is relatively small, such that increasing beam thickness might work.

Wood Beam Design References

"Beam Design Formulas With Shear And Moment Diagrams", published by the American Wood
Council (AWC), is a useful reference for those with basic understanding of beam design.

Beam Design Formulas

APA publishes a design guide for glued-laminated beams ("glulam") which have similar
properties to LVL beams. More importantly, the guide includes general discussion that applies to
all wood beams.

Click here for glulam beam design guide

Note that, as with almost all such design guides, tables are applicable for uniform load only.
Also, additional calculations must be performed to complete the design, such as bearing stresses
at supports (for beam and support) and lateral stability.

I-Beam Type Wood Joists

Manufacturers of I-beam type wood joists publish design guidelines with detailed tables listing
required joist sizes for various loading and span conditions. Although very useful for simple
uniform loading, the tables must not be used for more complex loading conditions without
careful analysis.

Beam Design Software

Numerous software programs are available for beam design. However, as for any program,
quality of results is dependent on quality of input. Overlooking just one important factor will
produce defective results.
Check back for beam design software.