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′ =
𝐶𝑠 2

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/m3.

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.