2.

0 COMPRESSION MEMBERS Compression members include Posts or columns, vertical wall studs, and struts in trusses and girders. It is important when selecting suitable pieces of timber for use as columns that particular attention is paid to straightness, the amount of bow acceptable for column members should be limited to 1/300 of length. Timber posts may be subject to direct compression alone, where loading is applied axially, or to a combination of compression loading and bending due to the load being applied eccentrically to the member axes. Structural adequacy of an axially loaded post is determined by comparing the applied compression stress parallel to the grain with the permissible stress parallel to the grain. 2.1 Applied Compression Stress This is given by dividing the applied load by the cross-sectional area of the timber section: c,a,par = applied load = F Section area A For adequate section: c,a,par < c,adm,par 2.1.1 Permissible Compression Stress This is obtained by modifying the grade compression stress parallel to the grain, (c, g, par) by any of the previously mentioned K factors that may be applicable. i.e K1, K2, K3, K8. c,adm, par = c,g, par K1, K2, K3

Timber posts, as opposed to wall studs, are not normally part of a load sharing system and therefore the load sharing factor K8 does not apply.

2.2 Slenderness of Posts Modification factor K. The grade compression stresses parallel to the grain, given in table 8 of the code are used to design struts and columns. These values apply to compression members with slenderness ratios less than 5 which would fail by crushing. Where the slenderness ratio of the member is equal or greater than 5 the grade stresses should be multiplied by the modification factor K in table 22 of the code, reproduced here as table 2.9 Alternatively K can be computed using the formular in appendix C of the code. K is dependent on the slenderness ratio and on the ratio of the modulus of elasticity to compressive stress E/c, K12 is used to avoid lateral buckling failure. 2.3 Slenderness Ratio () The slenderness ratio of posts is given by the following general expression: = effective length Least radius of gyration = Le i 180

For rectangular or square section it may also be obtained from = effective length = Least lateral dimension Le b 52

Values greater than these limits indicate that a larger section is required. Effective length, Le, to be adopted is given in table 21 of the BS 5268, reproduced here as table 2.10. 2.4 Ratio of Modulus of Elasticity to Compression Stress

Determine E/ c.par ; where E = Emin for the timber grade and c.par = c.g,.par K3 Hence Ratio = Emin / c.g,.par K3

With the slenderness ratio and the ratio of modulus of elasticity to compressive stress, K12 is found from table 21 (BS 5268). 2.5 Eccentrically Loaded Posts.
F Eccentricity, e

Where the direct load is applied eccentrically, a bending moment will be induced and is equal to the applied load multiplied by the eccentricity: Eccentricity moment, Me = F e

The effect of the moment should be checked by first ensuring that the applied bending stress m.a is less than the permissible m.adm Checks: m.a < m.adm and the interaction quantity given by the following formulae is less than unity. Interaction quantity = m.a.par + c.a.par 1 m.adm. par (1 1.55c.a.par K12/c) c.adm.par c = Euler critical stress = 2 Emin / ( Le/i)2 2.6 Summary for Timber Posts (a) (b) = Determine the effective length, Le, depending on end fixity. Calculate Slenderness ratio from either of effective length Least radius of gyration = Le i Le b 180

effective length = Least lateral dimension

52

(c) (d) (e) (f)

Calculate the ratio of Emin / c.g.par K3 Obtain K12 from table 22 : and Emin / c,g,par K3 Calculate permissible compressive stress: c,adm,par = c,a,par K1, K2, K3 Calculate applied stress and compare with permissible stress:

c,a,par = applied load = F Section area A For adequate section: c,a,par < c,adm,par

For eccentrically loaded Post add the following steps to above: (g) (h) (i) (j) Calculate eccentricity moment Me = load x e Obtain grade bending stress c,g,par from table. Calculate permissible bending stress m.adm.par = m.g.par K3 K7 Calculate applied bending stress and compare with permissible stress m.a.par = Me < m.adm.par Z Check that the interaction quantity 1

(k)

2.7 DESIGN OF TIMBER TRUSS MEMBERS

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To design a truss all the joints are considered as pin joints. The internal forces of all members are determined. A long-term duration design is assumed for top and bottom cords. A dry exposure is assumed. It is normal to design for the top cord and the bottom cord. In each case the member with highest internal force is designed. 2.7.1 Steps to design the Top cord. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Select member with the highest internal force. Choose timber type and select a trial section dimension. From a table, determine the stress in compression parallel to grain according to the timber class. Determine the effective length (Le) Determine the slenderness ratio. = Le / ix h [12]0.5 b / [12]0.5

Note: = = y = (vi)

Select appropriate modification factors and determine their values i.e. 1. No size factor required 2. Duration of load (k) =1.0 3. Load shearing K =1.11 4. Calculate K from formula or table

(vii) Calculate the permissible compressive stress, c ,adm,par (viii) Calculate the applied compressive stress, c,a,par (ix) Compare (v) and (vi) and use the result to confirm the suitability or otherwise of the previously chosen section.

2.7.2 Steps to Design Bottom Cord.

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(i) (ii) (iii)

Choose member with the highest internal forces. Choose appropriate timber and select a trial section. From table, determine the grade stress in tension t,g,par . Assure dry condition. (iv) Select appropriate modification factors (1) K = 1.0 for long term loading duration (2) K = 1.1 for load sharing (3) K = for width factor i.e. K = (300 ) h (v) Calculate the permissible tensile stress, t,adm,par (vi) Calculate the applied tensile stress, t,a,par (vii) Compare results in (v and Vi) and use the results to confirm or otherwise the initially chosen section.

PROBLEM: Design the top and bottom chords of the roof truss shown below:
100kN 100kN 100kN 1.0 m

1.0m

2m

2m

2m