SCOT

9209-521
STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF TIMBER

STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF TIMBER

(BS 5268)
Timber is a structural material used in construction such as steel, concrete
masonry etc. Timber was widely used in early days because of its availability &
economy. But nowadays timber seems to be losing its hold because of outcome
of new alternative materials. There are number of advantages of timber that
make it a suitable structural material.
1) Work with timber is easy since the joints can be easily made with simple
tools.
2) Timber has a high strength to weight ratio & reasonable strength in both
tension & compression.
*

*
3) Heavy timber constructions are good enough for fire resistance.
4) In favourable conditions timber is durable.

Types of Timber & Strength Classes

is stipulated two types of timber namely softwoods & hardwoods.
Timber is classified into above two types according to the strength of the timber.
Softwoods are less strong, less durable, cheaper & easily treated. Hardwoods
are stronger, more durable & more expensive. Code mentioned the softwood
strength classes as
classes as

,
,

,
&

,
. (

, &

& hardwood strength

General Structural,

Special

Structural)

Timber Members
ADVANCED DIPLOMA
JAYASINGHE

Page 1 of 2

ENG. S A Y B

SCOT

9209-521
STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF TIMBER

Basically timber are used in construction for flexural members such as timber
beams, floors for compression members such as timber columns, struts in
timber trusses & for tension members such as ties in timber trusses.

ADVANCED DIPLOMA
JAYASINGHE

Page 2 of 2

ENG. S A Y B