Abstract:
Experimental investigations on nailed built up timber
box beams of different cross sectional profiles in which the
flanges and webs are both entirely of timber are carried out with
the objective of understanding the behaviour of the different
nailed built up beam configurations and identify their potential
as an alternative to the use of solid timber beams. In particular
the effect of web thickness, overall depth and shape of flange on
the load carrying capacity and flexural rigidity of timber box
beams are investigated.
Timber beams consisting of webs of 25 mm thickness and
overall depth of 225 mm are the most cost effective. The profile of
the flange does not have a significant effect on either the load
carrying capacity or flexural rigidity. It is observed that flexural
rigidity and load capacity are better correlated with the second
moment of area and section modulus of only the webs of the box
beam rather than that of the entire box beam.
