1 Introduction

1.1 Aims of the Manual This Manual and the accompanying CD provides qualified Structural Engineers with guidance on the structural design of single-storey and medium-rise multi-storey buildings using common forms of structural timberwork. Structures designed in accordance with the Manual will normally comply with BS EN 1995-1-1: Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures Part 1-1: General: Common rules and rules for buildings (EC5)1, together with its supporting codes and standards. The Manual is primarily intended for carrying out simple calculations, and is not necessarily relevant to the design of complex buildings requiring more sophisticated analysis. However it is good practice to check the output of complex analyses using simplified methods such as those provided. For simplicity reference to clauses in BS EN 1995-1-1 will be in the form EC5 4.2(1) Reference to clauses in the Manual will be by section, e.g. Section 2.1.1. 1.2 The Eurocode system 1.2.1 Origin and purpose The structural Eurocodes are produced by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), its members being the national standards bodies of the EU and EFTA countries, e.g. BSI. 1.2.2 List of Eurocodes The complete set of Eurocodes consists of the following: BS EN 1990: Eurocode: Basis of structural design (EC0) BS EN 1991: Eurocode 1: Actions on structures (EC1) Part 1-1: General actions Densities, self-weight and imposed loads Part 1-2: General actions on structures exposed to fire Part 1-3: General actions Snow loads Part 1-4: General actions Wind loads Part 1-5: General actions Thermal actions Part 1-6: Actions during execution Part 1-7: Accidental actions from impact and explosions Part 2: Traffic loads on bridges Part 3: Actions induced by cranes and machinery Part 4: Actions in silos and tanks BS EN 1992: Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures (EC2) BS EN 1993: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures (EC3) BS EN 1994: Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures (EC4) BS EN 1995: Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures Part 1-1: General Common rules and rules for building (EC5) Part 1-2: General Structural fire design (EC5-1-2) Part 2: Bridges (EC5-2)

IStructE/trada Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5

BS EN 1996: Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures BS EN 1997: Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design BS EN 1998: Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance BS EN 1999: Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures Eurocodes 1 to 9 all comprise several parts, but only EC1 and EC5 have been listed in full. 1.2.3 Principles and Application Rules All the Eurocodes contain Principles and Application Rules. Principles are general statements, definitions, design rules or analytical models for which no alternative is permitted, for example EC5 8.2.3(2)P The strength of the steel plate shall be checked. Clauses which comprise a principle are identified by the letter P. Application Rules are generally recognised rules which comply with and satisfy the Principles. Alternative design rules may be used instead, provided that they can be demonstrated to comply with the Principles and to produce similar levels of safety, serviceability and durability to the Application Rules. 1.2.4 National Annexes Every National Standards body may produce its own National Annex (NA) for each part of each Eurocode. An NA provides values or decisions related to Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs) which allow for differences in such matters as climatic conditions, standards of workmanship, and perceptions of acceptability in deflections. UK NDPs are identified by bold type in the Manual. 1.2.5 Non contradictory complementary information The Eurocode system also permits reference in NAs to sources of non contradictory complementary information (NCCI) which help designers to use the associated Eurocodes. In the UK the principal source for EC5 is BS PD 66932. This Manual includes a number of NCCI items which will not be found in EC5 itself. 1.2.6 Eurocode design basis The Eurocode common basis of design for all structural materials is based on limit states and partial safety factors. For structural timber design in the UK this represents a major change from BS 5268-23, in which all the safety factors are incorporated in the permissible stresses. A limit state is simply a state beyond which a structure no longer satisfies its performance requirements. Ultimate limit states are associated with collapse or similar forms of structural failure that may endanger the safety of people, and generally involve the consideration of strength and stability. Serviceability limit states are associated with user discomfort or dissatisfaction or a lack of functionality, and generally involve the consideration of deformation (i.e. the deflections of members or slip in connections). Partial safety factors are used to increase the values of loads and to decrease the material strength values (also to adjust stiffness properties for second order linear elastic analysis see EC5 2.2.2(1) Note 2). In each case the values of the factors are specified

IStructE/trada Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5

and are applied to the characteristic values of the loads or material properties, so the approach to safety is known and transparent. 1.3 Scope of the Manual 1.3.1 National scope The Manual is intended primarily for the design of buildings within the United Kingdom. Where values and design methods specified in UK National Annexes are quoted the information given may not be applicable elsewhere. 1.3.2 Structures covered For the majority of design situations and materials involving timber the information required has been provided in this Manual or in the accompanying CD. Two principal types of timber structure are covered: open frame buildings, i.e. statically determinate beams and columns stabilised by bracing and/or vertical and horizontal diaphragms frameworks with rigid joints such as portal frames a combination of the above timber platform frame buildings with a maximum height of 18 metres to the finished floor level of the top storey. 1.3.3 Principal subjects covered roofs, floors and walls flexural, tension and compression members diaphragms, flitch beams mechanically fastened and glued connections load duration, service class, creep, durability and fire resistance.

1.3.4 Subjects not covered foundations and geotechnical design (see BS EN 1997: Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design (EC7)4) seismic design (see BS EN 1998: Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance (EC8)5) the following detailed design issues: analysis of frame structures EC5 5.4.2 analysis of trusses with punched metal plate fasteners EC5 5.4.3 glued thin-webbed beams EC5 9.1.1 glued thin-flanged beams EC5 9.1.2 mechanically jointed beams EC5 9.1.3 mechanically jointed and glued columns EC5 9.1.4 trusses EC5 9.2.1 and 9.2.2.

IStructE/trada Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5

1.3.5 Additional information contained in the CD material properties of solid timber, glulam, wood-based panel products and structural timber composites nail, screw, bolt and dowel connection spreadsheets links to manufacturers web sites. For a more detailed list see the Contents. 1.3.6 Sources of additional information For timber-related subjects which are not covered by the Manual, EC5 or its supporting standards should be consulted. Other useful publications are: STEP Timber Engineering, Volumes 1 and 26 TRADAs EC5 Guidance Documents and EC5 Design Examples7 TRADAs Software Toolbox8 (includes the design of connections to EC5 and will include domestic timber members in the near future) Panel Guide Partnerships PanelGuide9 Building Research Establishment published material. It is also intended to publish other manuals in this series on EC0 and EC1. Further sources of information are given in the References. 1.4 Contents of the Manual The Manual is set out in the sequence normally followed in design. Sections 2, 3 Principles of structural timber design Section 4 Initial building design process Sections 5, 6 Design of individual members and connections Sections 7-10 Design of roofs, floors and two principal types of building There are two additional sections. Section 11 Checking and specification guidance Section 12 Workmanship, installation, control and maintenance 1.5 Definitions 1.5.1 Technical terms In order to rationalise the meanings of various technical terms for easy translation, some of the terms used in the past have been redefined more precisely in the Eurocodes. Those of particular importance are listed, together with other timber related terms which may not be familiar to engineers who are more accustomed to other materials, in the glossary.

IStructE/trada Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5 Amendments May 2008

1.5.2 Axis nomenclature The use of traditional axis nomenclature in the UK has been altered to match a consistent European approach throughout the Eurocodes, as shown in Figure 1.1. The x-x axis lies along the length of the member, y-y is the principal or major axis, and z -z is the minor axis.

z y x y z x

Fig 1.1

Nomenclature of axes

1.6 Notation The Latin and Greek characters that apply to designs to EC5 are listed under Notation in the preliminary pages of this Manual.

IStructE/trada Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5