## 04-05 Stiffness and strength of timber beam

Problem 4
The stiffness of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the cube of the depth. Find the shape of the stiffest beam that can be cut from a log of a given size.

Problem 5
The strength of rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the square of the depth. Find the shape of the strongest beam that can be cut from a log of given size.

## 18 - 20 Rectangular beam in maxima and minima problems

Problem 18
The strength of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the square of the depth. Find the shape of the largest beam that can be cut from a log of given size.

Problem 19
The stiffness of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the cube of the depth. Find the shape of the stiffest beam that can be cut from a log of given size.

Problem 20
Compare for strength and stiffness both edgewise and sidewise thrust, two beams of equal length, 2 inches by 8 inches and the other 4 inches by 6 inches (See Problem 18 and Problem 19 above). Which shape is more often used for floor joist? Why?

## Axial Deformation

In the linear portion of the stress-strain diagram, the tress is proportional to strain and is given by

$\sigma = E \varepsilon$

since $\sigma = P / A$ and $\varepsilon = \delta / L$, then $\dfrac{P}{A} = E \dfrac{\delta}{L}$

$\delta = \dfrac{PL}{AE} = \dfrac{\sigma L}{E}$

To use this formula, the load must be axial, the bar must have a uniform cross-sectional area, and the stress must not exceed the proportional limit.