Timber Beam Design per the 2014 CSA Standard

Technical Article

Using the RF-TIMBER CSA module, timber beam design is possible according to the CSA O86-14 standard. Accurately calculating timber member bending resistance and adjustment factors is important for safety considerations and design. The following article will verify the factored bending moment resistance in the RFEM add-on module RF-TIMBER CSA using step-by-step analytical equations per the CSA O86-14 standard including the bending modification factors, factored bending moment resistance, and final design ratio.

Timber Beam Analysis

A simply supported 10 ft. long, nominal 38 mm ⋅ 89 mm Douglas Fir-Larch Structural (DF-L SS) beam with a mid-span point load of 1.250 kips will be designed. The goal of this analysis is to determine the adjusted bending factors and moment resistance of the beam. A long term load duration is assumed. Loading criteria are simplified for this example. Typical load combinations can be referenced in Sect. 5.2.4 [1]. In Figure 01, a diagram of the simple beam with loads and dimensions is shown.

Beam Properties

The cross-section used in this example is a 89 mm ⋅ 184 mm nominal dimension lumber. The actual cross-section property calculations of the sawn timber beam can be viewed below:

b = 3.50 in., d = 7.24 in., L = 10 ft.

Gross cross-section area:

Ag = b ⋅ d = (3.50 in.) ⋅ (7.24 in.) = 25.34 in.²

Section modulus:

Formula 1

$$Sx = b · d26 = (3.50 in.) · (7.24 in.)26 = 30.58 in.3$$

Moment of inertia:

Formula 2

$$Ix = b · d312 = (3.50 in.) · (7.24 in.)312 = 110.69 in.4$$

The material that will be used for this example is DF-L SS. The material properties are as follows.

Reference bending design value:

fb = 2,393.12 psi

Modulus of elasticity:

E = 1,812,970 psi

Beam Modification Factors

For the design of timber members per the CSA O86 - 14 standard, modification factors must be applied to the reference bending design value (fb). This will ultimately provide the adjusted bending design value (Fb) as well as the factored bending moment resistance (Mr).

Fb = fb ⋅ (KD ⋅ KH ⋅ Ks ⋅ KT)

Below, each modification factor is further explained and determined for this example.

KD - The load duration factor accounts for different load periods. Snow, wind, and earthquakes loads are considered with KD. This means KD is dependent on the load case. In this case, KD is set to 0.65 per Table 5.3.2.2 [1] assuming a long-term load duration.

KS - The wet service factor considers dry or wet service conditions on sawn lumber as well as cross-section dimensions. For this example, we are assuming bending at the extreme fiber and wet service conditions. Based on Table 6.4.2 [1] Ks is equal to 0.84.

KT - The treatment adjustment factor considers wood that has been treated with fire-retardant or other strength-reducing chemicals. This factor is determined from strength and stiffness capacities based on documented time, temperature, and moisture test. For this factor, Sect. 6.4.3 [1] is referenced. For this example, 0.95 is multiplied by the modulus of elasticity and 0.85 for all other properties when assuming wet service conditions.

KZ - The size factor considers varying sizes of lumber and how the loading is applied to the beam. More info on this factor can be found in Sect. 6.4.5 [1]. For this example, KZ is equal to 1.30 based on dimensions, bending and shear, and Table 6.4.5 [1].

KH - The system factor takes into account sawn lumber members that consists of three or more essentially parallel members. These members cannot be spaced more than 610 mm apart and mutually support the load. This criteria is defined as case 1 in Sect. 6.4.4 [1]. For this example KH is equal to 1.10 using Table 6.4.4 because we assume it as a bending member and case 1.

KL - The lateral stability factor considers lateral supports provided along the member length which help prevent lateral displacement and rotation. The lateral stability factor (KL) is calculated below.

Factored Specified Strength in Bending (FB)

The factored specified strength in bending (Fb) is determined in the section below. Fb is calculated by multiplying the specified strength for bending (fb) by the following modification factors.

KD = 0.65

KH = 1.10

Ks = 0.84

KT = 0.85

We can now calculate Fb by using the following equation from Sect. 6.5.4.1 [1].

Fb = fb ⋅ (KD ⋅ KH ⋅ Ks ⋅ KT)

Fb = 1,221.71 psi

Lateral Stability Factor, KL

The lateral stability factor (KL) is calculated from Sect. 6.5.4.2 [1]. Before KL can be determined, the slenderness ratio must be calculated. First, the effective length (Le) is found in Table 7.5.6.4.3 [1]. For this beam example, a concentrated load is applied at its center with no intermediate supports. The unsupported length (lu) is taken as 10 ft.

Le = 1.61 (lu)

Le = 16.10 ft.

Then, the slenderness ratio (CB) can be calculated based on Sect. 7.5.6.4.3 [1].

Formula 3

$$CB = Le · db2$$

CB = 10.69

Since the slenderness ratio is greater than 10, Ck should be calculated. Referencing Sect. 6.4.2, KSE is equal to 0.94.

Formula 4

$$Ck = 0.97 · E · KSE · KT Fb$$

Ck = 33.91

CB is less than Ck, so we can now calculate KL based on Sect. 7.5.6.4 (b) [1].

Formula 5

$$KL = 1 - 13 · CBCK4$$

KL = 0.9965

Beam Design Ratio

The ultimate goal of this example is to obtain the design ratio for this simple beam. This will determine if the member size is adequate under the given load or if it should be further optimized. Calculating the design ratio requires the factored bending moment resistance (Mr) and factored bending Moment (Mf).

The maximum moment about the x-axis (M­f) is found by the following:

Formula 6

$$Mf = P · L4 = 3.125 kip · ft$$

Next, the factored bending moment resistance (Mr) can be calculated from Sect.6.5.4.1 [1].

Mr = 0.90 ⋅ Fb ⋅ S ⋅ Kz ⋅ KL

Mr = 3.63 kip ⋅ ft.

Finally, the design ratio (η) can now be calculated.

Formula 7

$$η = MfMr= 0.86$$

Application in RFEM

For timber design per the CSA O86-14 standard in RFEM, the add-on module RF-TIMBER CSA analyzes and optimizes cross-sections based on loading criteria and member capacity for a single member or set of members. When modeling and designing the beam example above in RF-TIMBER CSA, the results can be compared.

In the General Data table of the RF-TIMBER AWC add-on module, the member, loading conditions, and design methods are selected. The material and cross-sections are defined from RFEM and the load duration is set to long-term. The moisture service condition is set to wet and treatment is set to preservative (incised). The effective length (Le) is determined from Table 7.5.6.4.3 [1]. The module calculations produce a factored bending moment (Mf) of 3.125 kip ⋅ ft. and a factored bending moment resistance (Mr) of 3.641 kip ⋅ ft. A design ratio (η) of 0.86 is determined from these values aligning well with the analytical hand calculations shown above.

Write Comment...

• Views 494x
• Updated 15 January 2021

Do you have questions or need advice?
Contact our free e-mail, chat, or forum support or find various suggested solutions and useful tips on our FAQ page.

RFEM | Basics

Online Training 29 January 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM CET

RFEM for Students | USA

Online Training 3 February 2021 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

The Most Common User Errors With RFEM and RSTAB

Webinar 4 February 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CET

RFEM | Steel | USA

Online Training 16 February 2021 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

Eurocode 2 | Concrete structures according to DIN EN 1992-1-1

Online Training 19 February 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM CET

RFEM | Structural dynamics and earthquake design according to EC 8

Online Training 24 February 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM CET

Eurocode 5 | Timber structures according to EN 1995-1-1

Online Training 17 March 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM CET

Eurocode 3 | Steel structures according to DIN EN 1993-1-1

Online Training 18 March 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM CET

RFEM | Dynamics | USA

Online Training 23 March 2021 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

RFEM | Basics

Online Training 23 April 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Eurocode 3 | Steel structures according to DIN EN 1993-1-1

Online Training 6 May 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Eurocode 2 | Concrete structures according to DIN EN 1992-1-1

Online Training 11 May 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Eurocode 5 | Timber structures according to DIN EN 1995-1-1

Online Training 20 May 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

RFEM | Structural dynamics and earthquake design according to EC 8

Online Training 2 June 2021 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Webinar 19 January 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Dlubal Info Day Online | 15 December 2020

Webinar 15 December 2020 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CET

Length 1:55 min

Length min

Length 0:29 min

Length 2:20 min

Length 2:20 min

Length min

SEAoP 8th Annual Virtual Conference | The Rise of Mass Timber and the Role of FEA Software

Length 1:06:14 min

Online Training | RFEM for Students | Part 3

Length 2:48:58 min

Length 0:25 min

Length min

Length 1:10 min

Length 33:21 min