ISS 883: 1994

Design of
Structural Timber
in Building-Code of

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Practice
 ISS 883: 1994

This code covers the general principles

involved in the design of structural
timber in buildings.
Terminology, Symbols and Material and

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species of timber are explained in detail
Requirements of structural timber is also
mentioned
 ISS 883: 1994
Working Stress
Stress obtained after applying necessary adjustment factors ( according
to the particular design )to the permissible stress.

Fundamental or Ultimate Stress

It is determined on small clear specimen of timber, in accordance with
standard practice and does not take into account the effect of naturally

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occurring characteristics and other factors.

Permissible Stress
Stress obtained after applying factor of safety to
the ultimate stress.
ISS 883: 1994

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 ISS 883: 1994
Species of Timber
Species of timber recommended for constructional purposes
are classified in three groups on the basis of their strength
properties, namely, modulus of elasticity ( E ) and extreme
fiber stress in bending and tension (fb ).
Timber species may be identified in accordance with good

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practice, other general characteristics like durability,
treatability.
Moisture Content in Timber
Unless otherwise specified the moisture content of the timber
shall conform to the requirements given in IS 287 : 1993
Safe permissible stresses for the species of
timber
ISS 883: 1994

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Moisture Content

ISS 883: 1994

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 ISS 883: 1994

The cut sizes of structural timber shall be graded, after

seasoning, in accordance with IS 1331 : 1975 into the
following three grades: Select grade, Grade I, Grade II.

Prohibited defects

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All grades of timber with the following defects not be used
for structural purposes:
a) Loose grain, splits, compression wood in coniferous
species, heartwood rot, sap rot,
and crookedness; and
b) Worm holes made by powder post beetles and pitch
pockets.
 ISS 883: 1994
First choice
The species of timber shall be any one of the
following Categories:
Untreated heartwood of high durability. Heartwood if
containing more than 15 percent sap wood, may need
chemical treatment for protection;
Treated heartwood of moderate and low durability and class

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‘a’ and class ‘b’ treat-ability;
Heartwood of moderate durability and class ‘c’ treatability
after pressure impregnation; and
Sapwood of all classes of durability after thorough treatment
with preservatives.
 ISS 883: 1994
Second choice
The species of timber shall be of heartwood of
moderate durability and class ‘d’ treatability.
Choice for load-bearing temporary
structures

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or semi-structural at construction site-
a) Heartwood of low durability and class ‘e’
treatability; or
b) The species whose durability and/or treat-
ability is yet to be established
 ISS 883: 1994
Fundamental stress values of different species of
timber are determined on small specimen in
accordance with standard practice laid in IS 1708.
The timber should be of high or moderate
durability and be given suitable treatment where
necessary,

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Timber of low durability shall be used after proper
preservative treatment in accordance with IS 401 :
1982, and
The loads should be of continuous and permanent
type.
All structural members, assemblies or framework in ISS 883: 1994
a building, in combination with the floors, walls and
other structural parts of the building shall be
capable of sustaining, with due stability and
stiffness the whole dead and imposed loadings
without exceeding the limits of relevant stresses.
The worst combination and location of loads shall be

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considered for designs. Wind and seismic forces
shall not be considered to act simultaneously.
The design requirements may be satisfied either by
calculation using laws of mechanics or by prototype
testing.