MATERIALS – MODULES Timber

Systems 1/10

Chart for establishing preliminary size of timber beams

Initial size estimate at design stage

1/12
Depth of beam
h (m)

2.00

1.90

1.80
1/15
1.70

1.60

1.50
1/18
1.40

1.30

1.20

1.10 1/24

1.00

0.90
1/30

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

0.00 Span of beam

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 l (m)

Element Span h*/l

(loadbearing) l (m)

Rafter –8m 1/18 – 1/30

Fig. 52: Notes for using this chart
With a high load (dead and imposed loads) use the
maximum value for the member depth as proposed
by the chart – vice versa for a low load.
Purlin, beam 4 – 12 m 1/15 – 1/24
The sizes and relationships shown cannot be veri-
fied scientifically. The shaded areas are supposed
to be slightly “indefinite”. In the interest of the Solid-web beam 6 – 16 m 1/12 – 1/18
rational use of a loadbearing element, the “edges”
of this chart should be avoided.
Lattice beam 8 – 20 m 1/10 – 1/15

Source: M. Dietrich,
Burgdorf School of Engineering, 1990 *A beam cross-section (h/b = 2/1) can be used for the initial, rough sizing; Glulam beams are often more slender.

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