TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED

MEMBERS
ARC 1149
MODULE 04a
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
COLUMNS AND OTHER COMPRESSION MEMBERS
- Columns or Posts
- Vertical wall studs
- Truss members subject to compression
- Horizontal struts for trusses and girders
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
COLUMNS AND OTHER COMPRESSION MEMBERS
- Columns or Posts
- Vertical wall studs
- Truss members subject to compression
- Horizontal struts for trusses and girders

Columns that are long and slender when subjected to an axial compressive force can deflect
laterally/sideways if the applied force exceeds a critical value. This phenomenon is called buckling

𝑆𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛

𝐹 ≤ 𝐹 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
COLUMNS AND OTHER COMPRESSION MEMBERS
- Columns or Posts
- Vertical wall studs
- Truss members subject to compression
- Horizontal struts for trusses and girders

Columns that are long and slender when subjected to an axial compressive force can deflect
laterally/sideways if the applied force exceeds a critical value. This phenomenon is called buckling

𝑆𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛

𝐹 > 𝐹 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Axial Compressive Stress
- Slenderness Ratio
- Bending Stress
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Axial Compressive Stress, fc

For prismatic columns where the axial force is applied at the cross-section’s center, we can assume
that the axial force is uniformly distributed throughout the column’s cross-section. The formula for
simple stress is applicable.
𝑃
𝜎=
𝐴
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A square column is required to support an axial load of 200KN. Using Yakal, 80% Visually stress
graded, with an adjustment factor of 0.9 for compression, determine the following:
1. The reference design value for compression parallel to the grain
2. The allowable stress in compression
3. The smallest column dimension to carry the applied load

200 𝐾𝑁
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A square column is required to support an axial load of 200KN. Using Yakal, 80% Visually stress
graded, with an adjustment factor of 0.9 for compression, determine the following:
1. The reference design value for compression parallel to the grain

We determine the Reference

Design value for compression
using the table
200 𝐾𝑁
𝐹 𝑐 =15.8 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝐴𝑁𝑆
 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A square column is required to support an axial load of 200KN. Using Yakal, 80% Visually stress
graded, with an adjustment factor of 0.9 for compression, determine the following:
2. The allowable stress in compression

Now solving for the allowable stress in compression

𝐹 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 𝐹 ′ 𝑐 = ( 𝑘 ) 𝐹 𝑐

𝐹 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤= ( 0.9 ) 15.8= 14.22 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝐴𝑁𝑆

200 𝐾𝑁

𝐹 𝑐 =15.8 𝑀𝑃𝑎
 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A square column is required to support an axial load of 200KN. Using Yakal, 80% Visually stress
graded, with an adjustment factor of 0.9 for compression, determine the following:
3. The smallest column dimension to carry the applied load

We first determine the required cross-sectional area of the column by limiting actual stress to the
allowable stress

𝜎=
𝑃 200 𝐾𝑁
𝐴

𝑃
𝐹 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤=
𝐴

200 × 1000
14.22=
𝐴
𝐹 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤= 14.22 𝑀𝑃𝑎
 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A square column is required to support an axial load of 200KN. Using Yakal, 80% Visually stress
graded, with an adjustment factor of 0.9 for compression, determine the following:
3. The smallest column dimension to carry the applied load

We first determine the required cross-sectional area of the column by limiting actual stress to the
allowable stress

𝜎=
𝑃 200 𝐾𝑁
𝐴

𝑃
𝐹 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤=
𝐴

200 × 1000
14.22=
𝐴=14064.698 𝑚𝑚 2
𝐴
𝐹 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤= 14.22 𝑀𝑃𝑎
 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A square column is required to support an axial load of 200KN. Using Yakal, 80% Visually stress
graded, with an adjustment factor of 0.9 for compression, determine the following:
3. The smallest column dimension to carry the applied load

Solving for the dimensions of the square column

𝑠=√ 14064.698=118.595 𝑚𝑚
200 𝐾𝑁
𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑎150 𝑥150𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝐴𝑁𝑆

𝐴=14064.698 𝑚𝑚 2
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Slenderness ratio, SR

𝐿𝑒
𝑆𝑅=
𝑑

𝐿 𝑒= 𝐾 𝑒 × 𝐿
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Slenderness ratio, SR

SHORT COLUMNS INTERMEDIATE COLUMNS LONG COLUMNS

𝑆𝑅 ≤11 11< 𝑆𝑅 ≤ 𝐾 𝐾 <𝑆𝑅 ≤ 50 50< 𝑆𝑅

[ ( )]
4
1 𝑆𝑅 𝐹 ′ 𝑐=
0.3 × 𝐸
𝐹 ′ 𝑐= 𝐹 𝑐 𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =𝐹 𝑐 1 − ×
3 𝐾 ( 𝑆𝑅 )2

𝐾 = 0.671 √ 𝐸 / 𝐹 𝑐
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe
200 𝐾𝑁

3𝑚

150 𝑋150𝑚𝑚
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe

We first determine the column’s effective length, Le 200 𝐾𝑁

𝐿 𝑒= 𝐾 𝑒 × 𝐿

3𝑚

150 𝑋150𝑚𝑚
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe

We first determine the column’s effective length, Le 200 𝐾𝑁

𝐿 𝑒= 𝐾 𝑒 × 𝐿

𝐿 𝑒=0 .65 × 3000 𝑚𝑚=1950 𝑚𝑚 3𝑚

150 ×150 𝑚𝑚
 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe

Now we can solve for the column’s slenderness ratio 200 𝐾𝑁

𝐿𝑒
𝑆𝑅=
𝑑

Note that since the column is a square, 3𝑚

1950
𝑆𝑅= = 13 𝐴𝑁𝑆the slenderness ratio with respect to
150
bending for each direction is the same
𝐿 𝑒 =1950 𝑚𝑚 150 ×150 𝑚𝑚
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe

Since column’s slenderness ratio is greater than 11, we need to solve for the value of K 200 𝐾𝑁
𝐾 = 0.671 √ 𝐸 / 𝐹 𝑐
From the table of reference design values, we’ve obtained the following:
3𝑚

𝐾 =0.671 √9780 /15.8=16.694

150 ×150 𝑚𝑚
𝑆 𝑅 =13
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Slenderness ratio, SR

SHORT COLUMNS INTERMEDIATE COLUMNS LONG COLUMNS

𝑆𝑅 ≤11 11< 𝑆𝑅 ≤ 𝐾 𝐾 <𝑆𝑅 ≤ 50 50< 𝑆𝑅

[ ( )]
4
1 𝑆𝑅 𝐹 ′ 𝑐=
0.3 × 𝐸
𝐹 ′ 𝑐= 𝐹 𝑐 𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =𝐹 𝑐 1 − ×
3 𝐾 ( 𝑆𝑅 )2

𝐾 = 0.671 √ 𝐸 / 𝐹 𝑐

𝑇h𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝐴𝑁𝑆

 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe

For intermediate columns the allowable stress 200 𝐾𝑁

[ ( )] [ ( )]
4 4
1 𝑆𝑅 1 13
𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =𝐹 𝑐 1 − × 𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =15.8 1− ×
3 𝐾 3 16.694
3𝑚
𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =13.863 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝐹 𝑐 =15.8 𝑀𝑃𝐴
𝐾 =16.694
150 ×150 𝑚𝑚
𝑆 𝑅 =13
 TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
From the previous SAMPLE PROBLEM 1, if the column height is 3m having both end connections as
fixed, using the design section determine the following:
1. The governing slenderness ration
2. If the column is Short, Intermediate, Long, or needs to be revised
3. The allowable stress in compression considering slenderness effects only
4. If the computed section is still safe

We then compare the column’s actual compressive stress considering the applied load and the 200 𝐾𝑁
column’s design section

𝑃 𝑃 200 × 1000
𝜎= 𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 = = =8.889 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴 𝐴 150 ×150
3𝑚
8.889 𝑀𝑃𝑎 <13.863 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =13.863 𝑀𝑃𝑎
150 ×150 𝑚𝑚
TIMBER: AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR MACHINE GRADED LUMBER
- Slenderness ratio, SR

SHORT COLUMNS INTERMEDIATE COLUMNS LONG COLUMNS

𝑆𝑅 ≤11 11< 𝑆𝑅 ≤ 𝐾 𝐾 <𝑆𝑅 ≤ 50 50< 𝑆𝑅

[ ( )]
4
1 𝑆𝑅 𝐹 ′ 𝑐=
0. 418× 𝐸
𝐹 ′ 𝑐= 𝐹 𝑐 𝐹 ′ 𝑐 =𝐹 𝑐 1 − ×
3 𝐾 ( 𝑆𝑅 )2

𝐾 = 0.792 √ 𝐸 / 𝐹 𝑐
END