Design of Structural Timber Elements 459

h ≤ 250 mm

B
Section B−B
≤ 0.25 × span centre to centre of holes ≥ 3d
diameter of the holes ≤ 0.25h
≤ 0.4 × span

Figure 7.15 (b)

7.7.7 Example 7.1: Suspended Timber Floor System

Consider the design of a suspended timber floor system in a domestic building in which
the joists at 500 mm centres are simply supported by timber beams on load-bearing
brickwork, as shown in Figure 7.16 (a). The support beams are notched at the location of
the wall, as shown in Figure 7.16(b).

♦ Determine a suitable section size for the tongue and groove floor boards.
♦ Determine a suitable section size for the joists.
♦ Check the suitability of the main support beams.

Design data:
Centre of timber joists 500 mm
Distance between the centre-lines of the brickwork wall 4.5 m
Strength class of timber for joists and tongue and groove boarding and beams C22
Imposed loading (long-term) 3.0 kN/m2
Exposure condition Service Class 1

Timber joists at 500 mm centres

Timber support beams

Beam span
= 4.5 m

Joist span = 3.6 m

Figure 7.16 (a)

460 Design of Structural Elements

100 mm wide × 475 mm deep beam

End bearing length = 100 mm

50 mm
Support wall
Figure 7.16 (b)

7.7.7.1 Solution to Example 7.1

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 1 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

Clause 2.6 Bending parallel to grain σm,g, = 6.8 N/mm2

Table 8 Compression perpendicular to grain
(assume wane is permitted) σc,g,⊥ = 1.7 N/mm2
Shear parallel to grain τm,g, = 0.71 N/mm2
Modulus of elasticity Emean = 9700 N/mm2
Modulus of elasticity Emin = 6500 N/mm2
Average density ρk = 410 kg/m3

Note: A value of characteristic density is also given for use

when designing joints.

Tongue and groove floor boarding:

Consider 1.0 m width of flooring and 19 mm thick boarding:

1000 mm width

Self-weight =
(0.019 × 410)× 9.81 = 0.08 kN/m2
10 3
Imposed loading = 3.0 kN/m2
Total load = (3.0 + 0.08) = 3.08 kN/m2

Clause 2.10 Bending:

Permissible stress
σm,adm, = σm,g, × K2 × K3 × K6 × K7 × K8
Clause 2.6.2 K2 − wet exposure does not apply in this case
Clause 2.8 K3 − load duration for uniformly distributed imposed
Table 17 (note a) floor loads K3 = 1.0
 Design of Structural Timber Elements 461

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 2 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

Clause 2.10.5 K6 − shape factor does not apply in this case

Clause 2.10.6 K7 − depth of section < 72 mm K7 = 1.17
Clause 2.9 K8 − load sharing stresses tongue and groove boarding has
adequate provision for lateral load
distribution K8 = 1.1

σm,adm, = (6.8 × 1.0 × 1.17 × 1.1) = 8.75 N/mm2

span of boards = joist spacing = 500 mm

Allowing for the continuity of the boards over the supports

reduces the bending moment
wL2 3.08 × 0.5 2
Mx, maximum ≈= = 0.077 kNm
10 10
Minimum section modulus required:
maximum bending moment 0.077 ×10 6
Zmin ≥ =
permissible stress 8.75
≈ 8.8 × 103 mm3/metre width

bh 2 6Z 6 × 8.8 × 103
Z = ∴ h ≥ ∴ h ≥
6 b 1000
h ≥ 7.3 mm; assume an additional 3 mm for wear
h ≥ 7.3 + 3 = 10.3 mm Try 16 mm thick

Clause 2.10.7 Deflection:

Clause 2.9 Since load-sharing exists use Emean to calculate deflection.
Since the boards are continuous, assume the end span deflection
(i.e. a propped cantilever) is approximately equal to 50% of a
simply supported span:
1  5Wtotal L3 
δmax ≈ (0.5 × δsimply supported span) =  
2  384 EI 

5 × 3.08 × 0.5 ×10 3 × 500 3

δmax = 0.5 × ≈ 0.38 mm
 1000 ×16 3 
384 × 9700 ×  
 12  Adopt a minimum
  thickness of 16 mm
δpermissible ≤ 0.003 × 500= 1.5 mm for the tongue and
δmax << δpermissible groove boarding
462 Design of Structural Elements

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 3 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

Joists at 500 centres:

Dead load due to self-weight of joist: assume = 0.1 kN/m
Dead load due to t & g boarding = (0.08 × 0.5) = 0.04 kN/m
Imposed loading = (3.0 × 0.5) = 1.5 kN/m
Total load = (0.1 + 0.04 + 1.5) = 1.64 kN/m

Clause 2.10 Bending:

Permissible stress
σm,adm, = σm,g, × K2 × K3 × K6 × K7 × K8

Clause 2.6.2 K2 − wet exposure does not apply in this case

Clause 2.8 K3 − load duration for uniformly distributed imposed
Table 17 (note a) (long-term) floor loads K3 = 1.0

Clause 2.10.5 K6 − shape factor; does not apply in this case

Clause 2.10.6 K7 − depth of section; assume h ≤ 300 mm K7 ≈ 1.0
This assumption should be checked at a later stage and
modified if necessary.

Clause 2.9 K8 − load sharing stresses;this applies since tongue and groove
boarding provides adequate lateral distribution of loading
and the spacing of the joists ≤ 610 mm K8 = 1.1

σm,adm, = (6.8 × 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.1) = 7.48 N/mm2

Span of joists: assume centre-to-centre of bearings

L = 3.6 m
wL2 1.64 × 3.6 2
Mx, maximum = = = 2.66 kNm
8 8
2.66 ×10 6
Zmin ≥ = 0.36 × 106 mm3
7.48

Clause 2.10.7 Deflection:

δpermissible ≤ 0.003 × span = (0.003 × 3600) = 10.8 mm
≤ 14.0 mm

Clause 2.9 Since load-sharing exists and assuming floor is not intended for
mechanical plant and equipment, storage or subject to vibration
(e.g. a gymnasium), use Emean to calculate the deflection.
 Design of Structural Timber Elements 463

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 4 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

5Wtotal L3
δmaximum ≈ , Emean = 9700 N/mm2
384 E mean I

=
( )
5 × 3.6 ×1.64 ×10 3 × 3600 3
=
369.8 ×10 6
384 × 9700 × I xx I xx
369.8 ×10 6
since δmaximum ≤ 10.8, ≤ 10.8
I xx
369.8 ×10 6
Ixx ≥ = 34.2 × 106 mm4
10.8

Try a 75 mm × 200 mm joist:

Cross-sectional area A = (75 × 200) = 15.0 × 103 mm2

75 × 200 2
Section modulus Zxx= = 0.5 × 106 mm3
6
> 0.36 × 106 mm3

75 × 200 3
Second moment of area Ixx = = 50 × 106 mm4
12
> 34.2 × 106 mm4

h 225
Clause 2.10.8 = = 3.0 < 5.0 Lateral support is
b 75 adequate
Table 19

Clause 2.10.2 Bearing:

75.mm
End reaction

100 mm
End reaction = (1.64 × 3.6)/2.0 = 2.95 kN
Bearing area = (100 × 75) = 7.5 × 103 mm2
2.95 ×10 3
σ c,a,⊥ = = 0.39 N/mm2
7.5 ×10 3
σ c,adm,⊥ = σ c,g,⊥ × K2 × K3 × K4 × K8
464 Design of Structural Elements

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 5 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

Clause 2.6.2 As before K2 does not apply

Clause 2.8
Table 17 (note a) K3 = 1.0
Clause 2.10.2 bearing length = 100 mm
For any length at the end of a member K4 does not apply.

Clause 2.9 Since load-sharing applies K8 = 1.1

σ c,adm,⊥ = (1.7 × 1.0 × 1.1) = 1.87 N/mm2 Joist is adequate with
≥ 0.39 N/mm2 respect to bearing

Shear:
15
. V
Section 7.6.1 of Maximum shear stress on rectangular section τ =
A
this text where V = design value of shear force = 2.95 kN
1.5 × 2.95 ×10 3
τa, = = 0.295 N/mm2
15 ×10 3
τadm, = τg, × K2 × K3 × K5 × K8
As before K2 does not apply and K3 = 1.0
Since the end of the beam is not notched, K5 does not apply
Joist is adequate with
respect to shear
Clause 2.9 Load-sharing applies K8 = 1.1
τadm, = (0.71 × 1.1) = 0.78 N/mm2 Adopt 75 × 200
> 0.39 N/mm2 Grade C22 Timber
Joists at 500 mm
Main beams: 100 mm × 475 mm deep centres

Joists at 500 mm centres

Span L = 4.5 m

Cross-sectional area A = (100 × 475) = 47.5 × 103 mm2

2
100 × 475
Section modulus Zxx = = 3.76 × 106 mm3
6
100 × 475 3
Second moment of area Ixx = = 893 × 106 mm4
12
 Design of Structural Timber Elements 465

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 6 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

Self-weight =
(0.0475 × 410)× 9.81 = 0.19 kN/m
10 3
Point loads at 500 mm centres = 2.95 kN

Vertical reaction at the supports = (9 × 2.95) /2 + (0.19 × 2.25)

= 13.70 kN
Shear force at the supports = (8 × 2.95) /2 + (0.19 × 2.25)
= 12.23 kN

Clause 2.10 Bending:

Permissible stress
σm,adm, = σm,g, × K2 × K3 × K6 × K7 × K8

Clause 2.6.2 K2 − wet exposure does not apply in this case

Clause 2.8 K3 − load duration loading can be assumed to be
Table 17 (long-term) uniformly distributed K3 = 1.0
Clause 2.10.5 K6 − shape factor does not apply in this case

Clause 2.10.6 K7 − depth of section; h > 300 mm

(h 2
+ 92300) (475 2
+ 92300 )
K7 = 0.81
(h 2
+ 56800)
= 0.81
(475 2
+ 56800 ) = 0.91 K7 = 0.91

Clause 2.9 K8 − load sharing does not apply in this case

σm,adm, = (6.8 × 1.0 × 0.91) = 6.19 N/mm2

wL2 0.19 × 4.5 2

Self-weight bending moment = =
8 8
= 0.48 kNm

Mx, maximum = {(12.23 × 2.25) − [2.95 × (0.25 + 0.75 + 1.25 + 1.75)]}

+ 0.48
= 16.2 kNm
16.2 ×10 6
Zmin ≥ = 2.62 × 106 mm3 Section is adequate
6.19
with respect to
< 3.76 × 10 mm6 3
bending
Clause 2.10.7 Deflection:
δpermissible ≤ 0.003 × span
= (0.003 × 4500) = 13.5 mm
≤ 14.0 mm
Since load-sharing does not exist use Eminimum to calculate the
deflection.
466 Design of Structural Elements

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 7 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

(See Chapter 1 Use the equivalent uniform distributed load method to estimate
Section 1.7) the deflection.

0.104M maximum L2
δmaximum ≈ , Emin = 6500 N/mm2
E minimum I
Section is adequate
with respect to
0.104 ×16.2 ×10 6 × 4500 2 deflection
= = 5.9 mm
6500 × 893 ×10 6
< 13.5 mm

h 475 Lateral support is

Clause 2.10.8 = = 4.75 < 5.0
b 100 adequate
Table 19
Clause 2.10.2 Bearing:

100 mm wide × 475 mm deep beam

100 mm

50 mm
Support wall

End reaction = 13.7 kN

Bearing area = (100 × 100) = 10.0 × 103 mm2
3
13.7 ×10
σ c,a,⊥ = = 1.37 N/mm2
10.0 ×10 3
σ c,adm,⊥ = σ c,g,⊥ × K2 × K3 × K4 × K8

Clause 2.6.2 As before K2 does not apply

Clause 2.8
Table 17 (note a) K3 = 1.0
Clause 2.10.2 bearing length = 100 mm

For any length at the end of a member K4 does not apply.

Clause 2.9 Load-sharing does not apply (i.e. Ignore K8)
 Design of Structural Timber Elements 467

Contract : Solid Beams Job Ref. No. : Example 7.1 Calcs. by : W.McK.
Part of Structure : Suspended floor system Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 8 of 8 Date :

References Calculations Output

σ c,adm,⊥ = 1.7 × 1.0 = 1.7 N/mm2 Adopt bearing

> 1.37 N/mm2 length ≥ 100 mm

Shear:
15
. V
Section 7.6.1 of Maximum shear stress on rectangular section τ =
A
this text where V = design value of shear force = 12.23 kN

Clause 2.10.4 Effective depth he = (475 − 50) = 425 mm

1.5 ×12.23 ×10 3
τa, = = 0.43 N/mm2
(425 ×100)
τadm, = τg, × K2 × K3 × K5 × K8

As before K2 does not apply and K3 = 1.0

Since the end of the beam is notched, K5 does apply Beam is adequate
he 425 with respect to shear
K5 = = = 0.89
h 475
Adopt 100 × 475
τadm, = (0.71 × 0.89) = 0.63 N/mm2 Grade C22 Timber
2
> 0.43 N/mm
Beams with ≥ 100 mm
length of bearing on
the brick-wall support.