Example 02: Maximum Concentrated Load a Box Beam Can Carry

Problem
A beam is built up by nailing together 25 mm thick planks to form a 200 mm × 250 mm box section as shown. The nails are spaced 125 mm apart and each can carry a shearing force of up to 1.3 kN. The beam is simply supported for a span of 3.6 m and to carry a concentrated load P at the third point of the span. The allowable shearing stress of the section is 0.827 MPa.
 

spacing-of-bolts-002-box-beam-cross-section.gif

 

  1. Determine the largest value of P that will not exceed the allowable shearing stress of the beam or the allowable shearing force of the nails.
  2. What is the maximum flexural stress of the beam for the load P computed in Part (1)?

 

Example 01: Spacing of Screws in Box Beam made from Rectangular Wood

Problem
A concentrated load P is carried at midspan by a simply supported 4-m span beam. The beam is made of 40-mm by 150-mm timber screwed together, as shown. The maximum flexural stress developed is 8.3 MPa and each screw can resist 890 N of shear force.
 

spacing-of-bolts-001-box-beam-cross-section.gif

 

  1.   Determine the spacing of screws at A.
  2.   Determine the spacing of screws at B.

 

Solution to Problem 595 | Spacing of Rivets or Bolts in Built-Up Beams

Problem 595
A concentrated load P is carried at midspan of a simply supported 12-ft span. The beam is made of 2-in. by 6-in. pieces screwed together, as shown in Fig. P-595. If the maximum flexural stress developed is 1400 psi, find the maximum shearing stress and the pitch of the screws if each screw can resist 200 lb.
 

595-box-beam-held-by-screws.jpg

 

Solution to Problem 594 | Spacing of Rivets or Bolts in Built-Up Beams

Problem 594
A distributed load of wo lb/ft is applied over a middle 6 ft of a simply supported span 12 ft long. The beam section is that in Prob. 593, but used here so that the 8-in dimension is vertical. Determine the maximum value of wo if fb ≤ 1200 psi, fv ≤ 120 psi, and the screws have a shear strength of 200 lb and a pitch of 2 in.
 

Solution to Problem 593 | Spacing of Rivets or Bolts in Built-Up Beams

Problem 593
A box beam, built up as shown in Fig. P-593, is secured by screws spaced 5 in. apart. The beam supports a concentrated load P at the third point of a simply supported span 12 ft long. Determine the maximum value of P that will not exceed fv = 120 psi in the beam or a shearing force of 300 lb in the screws. What is the maximum flexural stress in the beam?
 

Box Beam Secured by Screws