CE497 – STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN
INTRODUCTION TO TIMBER DESIGN
ENGR. BEN NIÑO ANTHONY SOCO
Timber
Timber traces back to an Old English word initially
meaning “house” or “building” that also came to mean
“building material,” “wood,” and “trees” or “woods.”
Timbers are large squared lengths of wood used for
building a house or a boat. In British English, timber is
also used as a synonym for lumber
- Merriam - Webster
Timber
Timber
Timber
Timber
Timber
Timber
Timber (wood) is a natural, renewable resource and has
been used in construction for thousands of years. It offers:
• Strength and flexibility: Timber has a good strength-to-
weight ratio and can bend slightly without breaking,
which is advantageous in certain design applications.
• Natural beauty: Timber provides a warm and aesthetic
appearance that’s often used in residential buildings.
Timber
Low environmental impact: Timber is renewable and
has a lower carbon footprint compared to steel or concrete.
• Good insulator: Timber has low thermal conductivity,
making it energy-efficient.
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
1. Framing: Timber
is often used in
residential building
frames, roof trusses,
and wall studs.
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
2. Flooring: Timber
floors are popular for
both structural and
aesthetic reasons.
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
3. Structural members:
In some large buildings,
laminated timber beams
and columns are used for
load-bearing purposes.
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
4. Bridges and
Pavilions: Timber can
also be used in outdoor
structures like bridges,
especially in short spans.
Types of Timber in Construction
• Softwood (e.g., Pine, Spruce): Generally used for light
framing, walls, and floors.
• Hardwood (e.g., Oak, Maple): Hardwoods are stronger and
more durable, typically used for flooring, furniture, and heavy-
duty applications.
• Engineered Wood: Products like plywood, laminated veneer
lumber (LVL), and cross-laminated timber (CLT) are
manufactured to improve strength and dimensional stability.
Advantages of Timber in Construction
Sustainability: Timber is a renewable resource, and its use
promotes sustainable forestry practices.
Ease of Construction: Timber is lightweight, easy to
handle, and does not require heavy machinery.
Energy Efficiency: Timber is a good insulator and helps
regulate indoor temperatures.
Advantages of Timber in Construction
Aesthetic Appeal: It gives a natural and pleasing look to
structures.
Challenges of Timber in Construction
Moisture and Rot: Timber is susceptible to decay and rot if
not properly treated or exposed to moisture.
Fire Hazard: Timber is flammable, though treatments and fire-
retardant coatings can reduce fire risk.
Insects: Termites and other wood-boring insects can damage
timber structures.
Challenges of Timber in Construction
Dimensional instability: Timber may expand, shrink, or warp due
to changes in moisture content.
GROUP SPECIES OF PHILIPPINE WOODS
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
PROPERTIES OF PHILIPPINE WOODS AT 50%
GRADE
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
Common Uses of Timber in Construction
PROPERTIES OF PHILIPPINE WOOD AT
80% GRADE
MOMENT OF INERTIA
AND
RADIUS OF GYRATION
Moment of Inertia
The moment of inertia is a measure of an object's
resistance to angular acceleration about an axis. It
depends on the mass distribution of the object relative to
that axis.
Radius of Gyration
a measure that describes the distribution
of an object's area or mass around an
axis. It provides a way to simplify the
analysis of structural properties by
representing the object as if all its area or
mass were concentrated at a single point
at a certain distance from the axis.
Transfer Formula for Moment of Inertia
The transfer formula for moment of inertia, also known as
the parallel axis theorem, allows us to calculate the
moment of inertia of a body about an axis that is parallel to
an axis through the center of mass (or centroid) of the
body by transfering.
Problem 1
A timber beam with a rectangular section of dimension of 3 x 6
in. Determine the polar moment of inertia and the radius of
gyration with respect to a polar axis through one corner.
Asynchronous Activity
A timber beam having a simply supported span of 4 m, has a
width of 200 mm and a depth of 260 mm.
a. Determine volume of the timber beam. (10 points)
b. Calculate the moment of inertia with respect to the x-axis (15
points)
c. Draw the shear and moment diagram and determine the
maximum bending moment. (25 points)
