MODULE NO.

2
Notching on Beams
A. when rectangular shaped girder, beams or joists are notched at points of support on
the tension side.
3V d 
Fv -  (  ) (horizontal shear stress)
2A n d1 
d = total depth of beam
d1 = actual depth at notch

B. When girder, beams or joints are notched at points of support on the tension side.
3V ⎛ d ⎞
fv = ⎜ ⎟
2 An ⎜⎝ d n ⎟⎠
actual shear stress
An = cross sec<onal area of notched member
d = total depth of beam
dn = actual depth of beam at notch

C. When girders, beams or joists are notched at a point of support on the compression
side, the shear at such point shall not exceed.

V=
2 ⎡
Fv b ⎢d −
(d − d ')e⎤
3 ⎣ d' ⎥⎦
d = total depth of beam
d’ = actual depth of beam at notch
e = distance notch extends inside the inner edge of support.

43. Problem:
A 150 mm x 350 mm wooden beam carries a concentrated load of 30.36 kN at its midspan. It has a
simple span of 8 m. long. Allowable shear stress is 0.85 MPa.

1) Which of the following gives the depth of notches at the support if notching is
2) allowed using the NSCP specificaLons.
3) Which of the following gives the allowable depth of notches at the boMom and top faces of the
beam at quarter points.
4) Which of the following gives the flexural stress at the quarter points aQer deducLng for
notching.

SoluJon:
1) Depth of notches at the support:
 2bd ' Fv d '
V=
3 d
30.36
V=
2
V = 15.18kN
2(150)d ' (0.85)d '
V=
3(350)
d ' = 250mm

Depth of notching = 350 -250

Depth of notching = 100 mm

2) Depth of notches at top and boMom at quarter points.

At mid-span
6M
fb =
bd 2
M
At quarter point moment =
2
6( M / 2)
fb =
bd 2
6( M )
fb =
2bd 2
6M 6M
2
=
bd 2bd 2
1 1
2
=
(350) 2d '2
d1 = 248 mm
2x + 248 = 350
X = 51 mm
(depth of notches at quarter points)

3) Flexural stress at quarter points:

M = 15.18(2)
M = 30.36 kN.m
6M
fb =
bd 2
6(30.36)106
fb =
150(248) 2
fb = 19.74 MPa
44. Problem:
A wooden beam 150 mm x 250 mm has a simple span of 3.6 m. and is subjected to a uniform load of
800Nm throughout its span. NeglecLng the weight of the beam.

1) Which of the following gives the distance from the end supports that the cross secLon be
reduced by boring one verLcal hole 25 mmø without weakening the flexural strength of the beam.
2) Which of the following gives the distance from the end supports that the cross secLon be
reduced by boring one verLcal hole 25 mmø without weakening the shear strength of the beam.
3) Which of the following gives the flexural strength of the beam at the point where the verLcal
hole is bored without weakening the shear strength of the beam.

SoluJon:
1) Distance from end supports where ver>cal bole is bored without weakening the
flexural strength.
2R = 800(3.6)
R = 1440 N
⎛ x⎞
⎜ ⎟
M1 = 1440x - s800(x) ⎝ 2 ⎠
M1 = 1440x - 400x2 (N.m)

6M 1
f1 =
b1d 2
6M 2
f2 =
b2 d 2
f1 = f2 (without weakening the flexural strength)
 WL2
M2 =
8
800(3.6) 2
M2 =
8
M 2 = 1296 N .m

6M 1 6M 2
=
b1d 2 b2 d 2
1440 x − 400 x 2 1296
=
125 150
1440x - 400x2 - 1080 = 0
X2 - 3.6x + 2.7 = 0
3.6 ± 1.47
x=
2
x = 1.065 m.

2) Distance from support of beam where verJcal bole is bored without weakening the
shear strength of the beam.
VA = 1440 N
3VA
VA =
2b1d
VB = 1440 – 800x

3VB
VB =
2b2 d
VA = VB

3VA 3VB
=
2b1d 2b2 d
1440 1440 − 800 x
=
150 125

1200 = 1440 – 800 x

x = 0.3 m. from the end

3) Flexural strength at B:
M = 1440(0.3) - 800(0.3) (0.15)
M = 396 N.m
 6M
fb =
bd 2
6(396)1000
fb =
125(250) 2
fb = 0.304 MPa

45. Problem:
The simply supported joist is used in the construcLon of a floor for a building. In order to keep the floor
low with respect to the sill beams C and D, the end of the joists are notched as shown in the figure.
Allowable shear stress of wood is 1.02 MPa and the allowable bending stress is 11.8 MPa. Ew = 13800
MPa. The beam carries a concentrated load of 2700 N at its midspan. Neglect weight of beam.

1) Compute the depth of the beam so as not to exceed the allowable bending stress if it has a
width of 50 mm.
2) Compute the smallest height "h" so that the beam will not exceed the allowable shearing stress
of 2.5 MPa.
3) Compute the deflecLon of the beam at the midspan.

SoluJon:
1) Depth of beam:
P L 2700 (9)
M= =
4 4
M = 6075 N.m = 6075000 N.mm
 6M
f =
bd 2
6(6075000)
11.8 =
50d 2
d = 248.6 say 250 mm.
Use d = 250 mm

2) Smallest value of "b" so that it will not exceed the allowable shearing stress of 1.02
MPa.
3V ⎛ d ⎞
fv = ⎜ ⎟
2bd ' ⎝ d ' ⎠
2700
V= = 1350 N
2
3(1350) ⎛ 250 ⎞
1.02 = ⎜ ⎟
2(50)h ⎝ h ⎠
h = 99.63 say 100 mm.
Use h = 100 mm.

3) DeflecJon of the beam:

50(250) 3
I= = 65104167 mm 4
12
PL3 2700(9000) 3
δ= =
48 EI 48(13800)(65104167)
ẟ = 45.64 mm

Allowable Bending Stress

A) Size Factor Adjustment

When the depth of a rectangular sawn lumber bending member 125 mm or thicker exceeds 300 mm, the
allowable bending stress Fb shall be mulLplied by the size factor Cf.

1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
⎜ ⎟
where Cf = ⎝ d ⎠

Fb' = CfFb
Cf = size factor
d = depth of beam
For beams of circular cross secLon having a diameter greater than 340 mm the size factor Cf maybe
determined on the basis of an equivalent convenLonally loaded square beam.
1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
Cf = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ d ⎠
πD 2
= d2
4
π
d 2 = (340) 2
4
d = 301.3 > 300mm
Note: The size factor adjustment shall not appiy to visuany graded lumber 50 mm to 100 mm thick or to
machine stress-rated lumber

B)Form factor
Beam SecLon Form Factor
Circular 1.180
Square 1.414

The form factor shall be cumulaLve with the size factor adjustment except for lumber I-beams and box
beams.

Allowable Bending Stress Considering Lateral Stability

Slenderness factor
When the depth of a bending member exceeds its breadth, lateral support maybe required and the
slenderness factor Cs shall be computed using the relaLon:
Le d
Cs =
b2
Cs = Slenderness raLo
Le = effecLve length of beam
d = depth of beam
b = breadth of beam
EffecLve length of Beams

Type of Beam Span and Nature of Load:

1) Single span beam, load concentrated at center
2) Single Span beam, uniformly distributed load
3) Single span beam, equal end moments
4) CanLlever beam, load concentrated at unsupported end
5) CanLlever beam, uniformly distributed load
6) CanLlever beam, uniformly distributed load
with concentrated load at canLlever end
7) Single span, or canLlever beam, any other load.
Lu = unsupported length of beam (mm).
EffecJve length Le
Le = 1.61 Lu
Le = 1.92 Lu
Le = 1.84 Lu
Le = 1.69 LU
Le = 1.06 Lu

A. Short Unbraced Beam

Where Slenderness factor Cs < 10 Use Fb'=Fb

B. Intermediate Unbraced Beam

When Cs > 10 but less than Ck

E
0.811
Fb
Where Ck = For visually graded sawn beam

E = modulus of elasLcity of wood

Fb = allowable unit stress for extreme fiber in bending
Fb' = allowable unit stress for extreme fiber in bending adjusted for slenderness.
⎡ 1 ⎛ C ⎞4 ⎤
Fb ' = Fb ⎢1 − ⎜⎜ s ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ 3 ⎝ Ck ⎠ ⎥⎦
C. For visually Graded Sawn Beam
When Cs > Ck but less than 50 (long unbraced beam)
0.438 E
Fb ' = 2
Cs
Cs should not exceed 50.

Allowable Bending Stress for Laterally Unbraced Beams with Less Variability

Slenderness factor
When the depth of a bending member exceeds its breadth, lateral support maybe required and the
slenderness factor Cs shall be computed using the relaLon:
 Le d
Cs =
b2
Cs = Slenderness raLo
Le = effecLve length of beam
d = depth of beam
b = breadth of beam
EffecLve length of Beams

Type of Beam Span and Nature of Load:

1) Single span beam, load concentrated at center
2) Single Span beam, uniformly distributed load
3) Single span beam, equal end moments
4) CanLlever beam, load concentrated at unsupported end
5) CanLlever beam, uniformly distributed load
6) CanLlever beam, uniformly distributed load
with concentrated load at canLlever end
7) Single span, or canLlever beam, any other load.
Lu = unsupported length of beam (mm).

EffecJve length Le
Le = 1.61 Lu
Le = 1.92 Lu
Le = 1.84 Lu
Le = 1.69 LU
Le = 1.06 Lu

A. Short beam
When Slenderness factor Cs < 10 Use Fb' = Fb

B. Intermediate Beam
When Cs > 10 but less than Ck
E
0.956
Fb
Where Ck = For glued-laminated beam and machine stress-rated lumber
1/ 4
⎡ 1⎛C ⎞ ⎤
Fb ' = Fb ⎢1 − ⎜⎜ s ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ 3 ⎝ Ck ⎠ ⎥⎦

C. Long Beam
0.609 E
Fb ' = 2
Cs For glued-laminated beam and machine stress-rated lumber

45-A. CE Board May 2008

A single-span beam having a span of 6 m. has a cross-secLon of 200 mm x 500 mm. It carries a uniformly
distributed load throughout its span. The beam is made up of visually stress-graded unseasoned Apitong
with 80% stress grade with an allowable bending stress of 16.5 MPa, a modulus of elasLcity of 7310
MPa, and allowable deflecLon of the beam is 1/240 of span.

1) Compute the slenderness factor of the beam.

2) Compute the allowable bending stress.
3) Compute the uniformly distributed load it could carry.

SoluJon:
1) Slenderness factor of the beam:
Allows Fb = 16.5

Single span uniformly distributed load.

Le = 1.92 L
Le = 1.92(6)
Le = 11.52
Le D
Cs =
B2
11.520(500)
Cs =
(200) 2
Cs = 12

2) Allowable bending stress:

E
Ck = 0.811
Fb
E = 7310

7310
Ck = 0.811
16.5
Ck = 17.1
Cs > 10 but less than Ck

4
⎡ 1⎛C ⎞ ⎤
Fb ' = Fb ⎢1 − ⎜⎜ s ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ 3 ⎝ Ck ⎠ ⎥⎦
Allow
⎡ 1 ⎛ 12 ⎞ 4 ⎤
Fb ' = 16.5⎢1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎣⎢ 3 ⎝ 17.1 ⎠ ⎦⎥
Fb’ = 15.2 MPa
 3) Safe uniform load it could carry:
By bending:
6M
Fb ' =
bd 2
6M
15.2 =
(200)(500) 2
M = 126.67 x106
M = 126.67 kN .m
wL2
M=
8
w(6) 2
126.67 =
8
w = 28.15kN / m

By Deflec<on:
L
y=
Allow 240 of span
5wL4
=
384 EI
L = 6 m or 6000 mm
6000 5w(6000) 4
=
240 ⎡ 200(500) 3 ⎤
384(7.31)(1000) ⎢ ⎥
⎣ 12 ⎦
u = 22.5 kN/m

46.Problem:
A wooden beam 200 mm x 350 mm has a simple span of 6 m. If the weight of the beam is 6.3 kN/m3 and
its allowable bending and shearing stresses are 10.6 and 0.70 MPa respecLvely.

1) Which of the following gives the size factor adjustment.

2) Which of the following gives the safe uniform load that the beam could support
based on flexural stress with size factor adjustment.
3) Which of the following gives the safe uniform load that the beam could support
based on shear strength.

SoluJon:
1) Size factor adjustment:
 1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
CF = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ d ⎠
1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
CF = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 350 ⎠
CF = 0.983

2) Safe load capacity with size factor adjustment:

6M
fb = 2
bd
f b = 10.6(0.983)
f b = 10.42 MPa
6M
10.54 =
200(350) 2
M = 42.5 x106 N .mm
WL2
M=
8
W (6) 2
42.5 =
8
W = 9.44 kN/m

Dead load = 0.20(0.35)(6.3)

Dead load = 0.440 kN/m
Safe uniform load = 9.44 - 0.44
Safe uniform load = 9 kN/m

3) Safe load capacity based on shear:

3V
fv =
2bd
3V
0.70 =
2(200)(350)
V = 32667 N
V = 32.667 kN

WL
V=
2
W (6)
32.667 =
2
W = 10.89kN / m
 Safe uniform load = 10.89 - 0.44
Safe uniform load = 10.45 kN/m

47.Problem:
A single-span beam having an unsupported length of 8 m. has a cross secLon of 200 mm x 350 mm. It
carries a uniformly distributed load "W" kN/m throughout its span. Allowable bending stress if Fb = 9.6
MPa and a modulus of elasLcity of 13800 MPa. From table, the effecLve length Le = 1.92 Lu where Lu =
unsupported length of beam.

1) Compute the allowable bending stress with size factor adjustment.

2) Compute the allowable bending stress with slenderness factor adjustment.
3) Compute the safe uniform load "W" that the beam could carry.

SoluJon:
1) Allowable bending stress with size factor adjustment:
1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
CF = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ d ⎠
1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
CF = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 350 ⎠
CF = 0.983

Allowable bending stress = 9.6(0.983)

Allowable bending stress = 9.44 MPa

2) Allowable bending stress with slenderness factor adjustment:

 Le d
Cs =
b2
Le = 1.92(8000)
Le = 15360mm
15360(350)
Cs =
(200) 2
Cs = 11.59
E
Ck = 0.811
Fb
13800
Ck = 0.811
9 .6
Ck = 30.75

Cs > 10 but less than Ck:

Allowable bending stress
⎡ 1 ⎛ C ⎞4 ⎤
Fb ' = Fb ⎢1 − ⎜⎜ s ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ 3 ⎝ Ck ⎠ ⎥⎦
⎡ 1 ⎛ 11.59 ⎞ 4 ⎤
Fb ' = 9.6 ⎢1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎣⎢ 3 ⎝ 30.75 ⎠ ⎦⎥
Fb’ = 9.54 MPa

3) Safe uniform load:

Safe allowable bending stress = 9.44
6M
fb =
bd 2
6M
9.44 =
200(350) 2
M = 38.55 x106 N .mm
M = 38.55kN .m
WL2
M=
8
W (8) 2
38.55 =
8
W = 4.82 kN/m

48.Problem:
A single span beam having an unsupported span of 20 m. carries a uniform load of "W" kN/m
throughout its span. The beam has a cross secLon of 150 mm x 600 mm. Allowable bending stress of the
wood is Fb = 12.4 MPa. with a modulus elasLcity of 13800 MPa.

1) Compute he allowable bending stress with size factor adjustment.

2) Compute the allowable bending stress with slenderness factor adjustment.
3) Compute the load "W that the beam could carry.

SoluJon:
1) Size factor adjustment:
d > 300 mm
1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
Cs = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ d ⎠
1/ 9
⎛ 300 ⎞
Cs = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 600 ⎠
Cs = 0.926

Allowable bending stress

= 0.926(12.4)
= 11.48 MPa

2) Slenderness factor adjustment:

Le = 1.92 Lu (uniformly distributed load)
Le = 1.92(20000)
Le = 38400 mm
Le d
Cs =
b2
38400(600)
Cs =
(150) 2
Cs = 32

E
Ck = 0.811
Fb
13800
Ck = 0.811
12.4
Ck = 27.06
Cs > Ck \but < 50

Use:
 0.438 E
fb =
(Cs ) 2
0.438(13800)
fb =
(32) 2
fb = 5.9 MPa

3) Safe load “W”

6M
fb = 2
bd
6M
5.9 =
(150)(600) 2
WL2
M=
8
W (20) 2
53.1 =
8
W = 1.062 kN/m
W = 1062 N/m