DESIGN OF FLEXURAL MEMBERS
Flexural members are those subjected to bending. Examples include;
• Solid section rectangular beams
• Floor joists.
• Rafters
• Purlins.
All calculations relating to their design are based on the effective span. The main design
consideration for flexural members is;
1. Bending stress and prevention of lateral buckling
2. Lateral buckling
3. Shear stress
4. Bearing stress
5. Deflection
Generally, for medium-span beams the design process follows the sequence indicated above.
However, deflection is usually critical for long-span beams and shear for heavily loaded short-
span beams.
The cross-sectional properties of all flexural members have to satisfy elastic strength and service
load requirements.
The permissible stress value is calculated as the product of the grade stress and the appropriate
modification factors for particular service and loading conditions and is usually compared with
the applied stress in a member or part of a component in structural design calculations.
Permissible stress=grade stress x K-factors ≥ applied stress.
EFFECTIVE SPAN
According to clause 2.10.3 of BS 5268, for simply supported beams, the effective span is
normally taken as the distance between the centres of bearings.
The effective span of simply supported beams.
Where members extend over bearings, which are longer than is necessary, the spans may be
measured between the centres of bearings of a length which should be adequate by part 2 of the
code. (see figure above)
In determining the effective span, Le, it is usually acceptable to assume an addition of 50mm to
the clear span, between the supports, for solid timber beams and joists and 100mm for built-up
beams on spans up to around 12m, but for longer spans should be checked.
BENDING
If a member is not to fail in bending the design moment M, must not exceed the moment of
resistance MR. The design moment, M is a function of applied loads.
The design of timber beams in flexure requires the application of the elastic theory of bending as
expressed by:
The term Z/I is referred to as section modulus and is denoted by Z. The applied bending stress
about the major (x") axis of the beam is calculated from:
The permissible bending stress is calculated as the product of the grade bending stress parallel to
the grain and any relevant modification factors (K-factors). These are K2 for wet exposure
condition (if applicable), K3 for load duration, K6 for solid timber members other than
rectangular section (if applicable), K7 for solid timber members other than 300mm deep and K8
for load sharing systems (if applicable). Hence:
Selection of a suitable size.
There are two methods commonly used in selecting an appropriate trial section.
1. Engineering judgement which is based on experience.
2. By utilizing the permissible bending stress criterion. Thus the expression for calculation
of the required section modulus Zxx for timber members, incorporating all the relevant
K-factors, is as follows.
Thus, a suitable section having a Zxx>= Zxx required can be selected. The chosen section
should then be checked for lateral stability, deflection, shear and bearing.
Lateral buckling.
If flexural members are not effectively laterally restrained, the member can twist
sideways before developing its full flexural strength, as shown in the figure below, thereby
causing it to fail in bending, shear or deflection. This phenomenon is called lateral buckling and
can be avoided by ensuring that the depth-to-breadth ratios given in Table 6.10 are complied
with.
Table 16; Maximum depth-to-breadth ratio for solid and laminated members.
DEFLECTION.
BS 5268 Part 2, recommends that “The dimensions of flexural members should be such as to
restrict deflection within limits appropriate to the type of structure; having regard to the
possibility of damage to surfacing materials, ceilings, partitions and to the functional needs as
well as aesthetic requirements”.
Deflection limits.
The combined deflection due to bending Δm shear Δs should not exceed 0.003 of the spans.
For domestic floor joists, the deflection under full load should not exceed the lesser of 0.003
times the span or 14mm. This is due to avoid undue vibration under moving or impact loading.
In general
Δtotal = (Δm + Δs ) ≤ (0.003 x span)
For domestic joists Δtotal ≤ lesser of (0.003 x span or 14mm)
The table below gives common bending and shear deflection expressions. The formulae assume
that the shear modulus is 1/16 of the permissible modulus of elasticity.
Shear stress.
The critical position for shear is usually at the supports, where the maximum reaction occurs.
The applied shear stress is the maximum shear stress (not average)
For rectangular timber beams, the maximum applied shear stress parallel to the grain occurs at
the neutral axis and is calculated from
Bearing stress.
The bearing stress in timber beams is developed due to compressive forces applied in a direction
perpendicular to the grain and occurs in positions such as points of support or applied
concentrated loads. Possible bearing positions are as shown.
The applied bearing stress can be calculated from the following equation;
Bearing failure may rise in flexural member supported at the end with a narrow beam or wall
plate, such failure maybe avoided by ensuring that the bearing stress i.e perpendicular to grain
never exceed the permissible stress perpendicular to the grain.
