Working Stresses of Structural

Timber
a. allowable stress (design values)
b. adjustment of allowable stress
values
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this
chapter, students must be able to:

1. Interpret allowable stress value

(table NSCP)
2. Discuss factors in the adjustment
of allowable stress values
3. Solve problems
Allowable Stress

An allowable unit stress is the stress used

in design computations and represents the
maximum unit stress of a particular kind
considered desirable in a structural
member subjected to loads.

Allowable unit stresses are sometimes

known as working stresses and are also
called design values.
The allowable stresses in Table 615.2-1
(NSCP) are reference design values.

All the tabulated values (except the

modulus of elasticity) include reduction
for safety and are primarily intended for
direct application in ASD.
Reference design values for wood represent
a starting point in the determination of the
allowable stress for a particular design.
Reference design values are represented by
F, and a subscript is added to indicate the
type of stress.
Reference design still need to be modified or
adjusted due to several factors (moisture,
load duration, temperature, application of
chemicals, redundancy, size, etc.) that affect
the strength of wood.
Adjustment of Allowable Stress Values

Each property in the allowable stress table

must be modified by applying factors to
each property.

The final/modified allowable stress is

usually denoted with the symbol.

𝐹′𝑏 = 𝐹𝑏 𝑥 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠

Adjustment Factors
1. Repetitive Member System Factor
2. Preservative Treatment Factor
3. Fire Retardant Treatment Factor
4. Load Duration Factor
5. Size Factor Adjustment
6. Slenderness Factor and flexural stress
7. Form Factor Adjustment
8. Modulus of Elasticity Adjustments
9. Temperature
10.
Repetitive Member System Factor

NSCP 2010 Section 615.1.1 (

Repetitive member system is defined as

one that has:
1.Three (3) or more parallel members of
Dimension lumber or structural composite
lumber
2.Members spaced not more than 600 mm
(24”) o.c.
Repetitive Member System Factor

NSCP 2010 Section 615.1.1 (2015 – 617.3.9)

Repetitive member system is defined as one

that has:
3. Members connected together by a load-
distributing element such as roof, floor or
wall sheathing
4. For a repetitive member system, 𝐹𝑏 may be
multiplied by a repetitive member factor,
𝐶𝑟 = 1.15.
Preservative Treatment Factor

NSCP 615.3.2

The values for wood pressure

impregnated with an approved process and
preservative need no adjustment for
treatment but are subjected to other
adjustments.
Fire Retardant Treatment Factor

NSCP 615.3.3

The values for lumber and plywood pressure

impregnated with approved fire- retardant chemicals,
including fastener values, shall be recommended by the
treater and submitted to the building official for approval.
Submittal to the building official shall include all
substantiating data. Such values shall be developed from
approved test methods and procedures that consider
potential strength-reduction characteristics, including
effects of elevated temperatures and moisture. Other
adjustments are applicable, except that the impact load-
duration factors shall not apply.
Load Duration Factor

NSCP 615.3.4

Values for wood and mechanical fastenings

(when the wood determines the load capacity) are
subjected to the following adjustments for the various
duration of loading:

1. Where a member is fully stressed to the maximum

allowable stress, either continuously or
cumulatively, for more than 10 years under the
conditions of maximum design load, the values
shall not exceed 90 percent of those in the tables.
Load Duration Factor

NSCP 615.3.4

2. When the accumulated duration of the full

maximum load during the life of the member does
not exceed the period indicated below, the values
may be increased in the table as follows:

25 percent for seven days duration, as for roof loads

33 1/3 percent for earthquake
33 1/3 percent for wind (for connections and
fasteners)
60 percent for wind (members only)
100 percent for impact
Load Duration Factor

NSCP 615.3.4

3. Values for normal loading conditions may

be used without regard to impact if the stress
induced by impact does not exceed the
values for normal loading.
NSCP 2015
Size Factor Adjustment

NSCP 615.3.5

When the depth of a rectangular sawn lumber

bending member 125 mm or thicker exceeds 300 mm,
the bending values, 𝐹𝑏 , shall be multiplied by the size
factor, 𝐶𝐹 , as determined by equation 615-1

300 1 9
𝐶𝐹 = 615-1)
𝑑

Where:
𝐶𝐹 = 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
d = depth of beam in mm.
Slenderness Factor and flexural stress

NSCP 615.3.6

When the depth of a bending member exceeds its

breadth, lateral support may be required and the
slenderness factor, 𝐶𝑆 , shall be calculated by the
following equation:

𝑙𝑒 𝑑
𝐶𝑆 = (615-2)
𝑏2
Slenderness Factor and flexural stress

Where:

𝐶𝑆 = slenderness factor
𝑙𝑒 = effective length of beam,
d = depth of beam, mm
b = breadth of beam, mm.
Effective length of Beams (NSCP 2010)
Type of Beam Span and Nature of Load Value of
Effective
Length, 𝑙𝑒

Single-span beam, load concentrated at the 1.61𝑙𝑢

center 1.92𝑙𝑢
Single-span beam, uniformly distributed load 1.84 𝑙𝑢
Single-span beam, equal end moments 1.69 𝑙𝑢
Cantilever beam, load concentrated at 1.06 𝑙𝑢
unsupported length
Cantilever beam, uniformly distributed load 1.69 𝑙𝑢
Cantilever beam, uniformly distributed load 1.92 𝑙𝑢
with concentrated load at cantilever end
Single-span or cantilever beam, any other
load
𝑙𝑢 = unsupported length of beam, mm
When the slenderness factor, 𝐶𝑠 , does not
exceed 10, the full allowable unit stress in
bending 𝐹𝑏 may be used.

When the slenderness factor, 𝐶𝑆 , is greater

than 10 but does not exceed 𝐶𝑘 , the
allowable unit stress in bending 𝐹𝑏 ′ shall
be determined from the following
equation:
1 𝐶𝑆 4
𝐹𝑏′ = 𝐹𝑏 1 − (615-3)
3 𝐶𝑘
Where :
𝐶𝑘 = 0.811 𝐸 𝐹𝑏 (615-4)
E = modulus of elasticity
𝐹𝑏 = allowable unit stress for
extreme fiber in bending
𝐹𝑏 ′ = allowable unit stress for
extreme fiber in bending
adjusted for slenderness
When the slenderness factor 𝐶𝑆 is greater than 𝐶𝑘
but less than 50, the allowable unit stress in
bending 𝐹𝑏 ′ shall be determined by the following
equation:
0.438 𝐸
𝐹𝑏 = (615-5)
𝐶𝑠 2

In no case shall 𝐶𝑆 exceed 50.

Form Factor Adjustment
NSCP 615.3.7
The allowable unit stress in bending for
non-prismatic members shall not exceed
the value established by multiplying such
stress by the form factor 𝐶𝑓 determined as
follows:
BEAM SECTION FORM FACTOR,
𝐶𝑓
Circular 1.180
Square (with diagonal vertical) 1.414
Lumber I beam and box beam

𝑑 2
+ 143 (615-6)
25.4
0.81 1 + 2 − 1 𝐶𝑔
𝑑
+ 88
25.4

Where:
𝐶𝑓 = form factor
𝐶𝑔 = support factors
= 𝑝2 6 − 8𝑝 + 3𝑝2 1 − 𝑞 + 𝑞 (615-7)
p = ratio of depth of compression flange to
full depth of beam
q = ratio of thickness of web or webs to the
full width of beam
Wood Adjustment Factors