Running Head: TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 1

TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS

Student name

Institutional affiliation
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 2

Abstract
This laboratory experiment focused on investigating how the flitch beams perform. It also

compared this performance with the performance of the beams has a construction of a single

material. The timbers teams that have loads in two dimensions are utilised in this experiment to

monitor the behaviour of the loading. The resultant outcome is compared to how the flitch beam

deflects. This helps in the establishment of the effects of materials on the bending properties of

timber.

Theory

Mechanics has employed the three-pointer bent experiment as a standard test of beams.

This experiment establishes Young’s modulus for many different beam shapes. The experiment

usually has a ration of a span depth of not less than 16 (Alam, 2004). Nevertheless, ratios with

higher values are for particular materials ( Danawade et al. 2013). This is a need to avoid any

fracture because of shearing. Also, it is meant to facilitate failure due to compression or tensile at

a given point.

Beams provide structures with support based on their ability to resist forces applied to the

structure ( Danawade et al. 2013). Forces applied to a beam create a curve leading to a

deflection. Different types of beams move differently on the basis of volume, construction

material and form. Many separate beams exist and their final support and structure are

specifically established. Using the end-support system, a beam can either be simply supported,

over hanged or cantilevered. Shapes are used to define beams as either square, rectangular or I-

beam ( Danawade et al. 2013). For example, timber, according to Alam (2004) , is wood that has

been processed and is plan-shaped or in the form of a beam that is widely used for construction
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 3

purposes such as supporting applications during the construction of bridges and houses, to name

a few.

The three-point bend experiment was carried out by researchers in the field of mechanics

for an extended period of time. It is used to determine a beam's Young module, or any other

material shaped in that form. Functionally, the experiment is based on a length of the beam,

which is laid on two supports, and is then supplied at its midpoint with a focused load. Below is

a simply supported beam having a load on a point. The deflection is a result of the force exerted

by the load as well as the reaction from the support at the ends.

Figure 1: Simply supported beam (Alam, 2004)

TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 4

Figure 2: Simply supported beam with the shear and moment diagrams (Alam, 2004)

Assessment of the risks

This laboratory experiment has various dangers. It entails eye injuries, piercing from the

sharp objects, dust and the general injuries (Moreira,2013). The degree at which the injuries can

be expected is high (Alam, 2004). The prevention of these injuries is having safety gears such as

safety glasses, clothing as well as the safety boots.

Methodology
The needed apparatus included the hydraulic loading frames, digital displacement gauges,

reaction blocks, load cell, tape measure and a marker pen. On the other hand, the materials were

two Easi-joist beams (2.4 m) and three flitch beams that had been prepared by the technician.

Procedure
The beam was marked with the centre line and a meter from each side was marked from

the marked centerline. The cross-section of the two beams was measured and recorded. The

major knots were noted.

TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 5

The first beam was placed in the loading frame making sure that the ram of loading is

perpendicular to the marked centre line. The reactions were placed under the beam at the marked

points one meter from each side.

The loading bar was placed above the centre line, and the load cell was placed between

the ram and the bar. The ram held the two by pressing the ram.

The interval loading was 0.5 kN. The recording of the deflection was done at each

interval. The Easi-joists was loaded to failure. However, when the load reached above 12.5 mm,

the gauges of the deflection were reset to the fully closed positions. The loading of the flitch

beams did not exceed 7 kN. At the final session of the laboratory, the flitch beam was loaded to

failure.

Results
Joist plank deflection
Table 1: Joist plank deflection

JOIST (PLANK)
B 145 mm
D 43 mm

Table 2: Joist plank deflection

Load (kN) Deflection (mm)

Left Right
0.5 9 8.83
1 9.65 9.38
1.5 9.63 8.25
2 9.94 8.66
2.5 11.37 11.43
3 10.71 10.04
3.5 13.6 10.21
4 13.77 13.77
4.5 Failed Failed
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 6

Joist plank deflection

16
14
12
Deflection (mm) 10
8
6
4
2
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Load (kN)

Left deflection Right deflection

Linear (Right deflection)

Figure 3: Graphical representation Joist plank deflection

Joist plank deflection

16
14
12
Deflection (mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Load (kN)

Left deflection Right deflection

Linear (Right deflection)

Figure 4: Graphical representation Joist plank deflection

Joist beam deflection

Table 3:Joist beam deflection

JOIST (BEAM)
B 142 mm
D 44 mm
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 7

Table 4:Joist beam deflection

Load (kN) Deflection (mm)

Left Right
1 2.23 2.21
2 4.52 4.53
3 6.85 6.87
4 9.24 9.29
5 11.89 12.05
6 2.62 2.97
7 9.61 6.09
8 9.38 8.92
9 13.24 13.59
10 4.85 4.88
11 Failed Failed

Joist beam deflection

16
14
12
Deflection (mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Load (kN)

Left deflection Linear (Left deflection)

Right deflection

Figure 5: Graphical representation Joist beam deflection

TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 8

Joist beam deflection

16
14
12
Deflection (mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Load (kN)

Left deflection Right deflection

Linear (Right deflection)

Figure 6: Graphical representation Joist beam deflection

Flitch A deflection
Table 5:Flitch A deflection

FLITCH A
B 37 mm
D 103 mm
T 3 mm

Table 6:Flitch A deflection

Load (kN) Deflection (mm)

Left Right
1 1.19 1.24
2 2.01 2.1
3 3.06 3.9
4 4.11 4.32
5 5.15 5.44
6 6.17 6.59
7 7.23 7.76
8 8.34 8.94
9 9.58 9.64
10 10.91 9.64
11 12.32 12.32
12 1.61 1.65
13 3.26 3.32
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 9

14 5.12 5.17
15 Failed Failed

Flitch A deflection
14
12
Deflection (mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Load (kN)

Left Deflection Linear (Left Deflection)

Right Deflection

Figure 7: Graphical representation of flitch A deflection

Flitch A deflection
14
12
Deflection (mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Load (kN)

Left Deflection Right Deflection

Linear (Right Deflection)

Figure 8: Graphical representation of flitch A deflection

Flitch B deflection
Table 7:Flitch B deflection

FLITCH B
B 103 mm
D 37 mm
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 10

T 7 mm

Table 8:Flitch B deflection

Load (kN) Deflection (mm)

Left Right
1 1.18 1.08
2 2.3 2.31
3 3.57 3.6
4 4.84 4.99
5 6.1 6.29
6 7.13 7.56
7 8.14 8.85
8 9.22 10.16
9 10.29 11.29
10 11.51 12.56
11 1.25 1.11
12 2.56 2.38
13 Failed Failed

Flitch B deflection
14
12
Deflection ( mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Load (kN)

Left deflection Linear (Left deflection)

Right deflection

Figure 9: Graphical representation of flitch B deflection

TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 11

Flitch B deflection
14
12
Deflection ( mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Load (kN)

Left deflection Right deflection

Linear (Right deflection)

Figure 10: graphical representation of flitch B deflection

Flitch C deflection
Table 9:Flitch C deflection

FLITCH C
B 35 mm
D 103 mm
T 3 mm
X 38 mm

Table 10:Flitch C deflection

Load (kN) Deflection (mm)

Left Right
1 2.37 2.3
2 4.89 4.84
3 7.4 7.37
4 9.52 9.52
5 11.58 11.63
6 2.2 2.41
7 4.69 5.04
8 8.01 8.46
9 10.76 11.25
10 13.78 13.85
11 3.91 3.77
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 12

12 Failed Failed

Flitch C deflection
16
14
12
Deflection ( mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Load (kN)

Left deflection Linear (Left deflection)

Right deflection

Figure 11: Graphical Representation of flitch C deflection

Flitch C deflection
16
14
12
Deflection ( mm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Load (kN)

Left deflection Right deflection

Linear (Right deflection )

Figure 12: Graphical representation of flitch C deflection

Discussion
The laboratory experiment how timber failure in a distinct axis. It also compared the

results with the flitch beams. The readings of the deflection in both the right and left digital
TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 13

gauge had an insignificant variation. Its range was less than one millimetre. This variation was

due to a number of factors (Alam, 2004). These are the timber quality, structural geometry, errors

in the reading as well as vibrations. Theory and phenomena have consistence.

A cracking sound was produced when the timber failed suddenly. The failure mode was

long the grains. The start of the failure was from the maximum tension point. This is located

below the loading point. The outside edge experienced the fracture. This is the area that had

experience of a maximum load of tension (Moreira, 2013). The beam and the plunk has similar

features in failure.

Nevertheless, the beam had greater load sustainability before reaching the failing point.

This showed that beam is stiffer. It was consistent with the observation from the theoretical part.

All the tests of flitch had greater load capabilities as compared to the test of the wood

( Danawade et al. 2013). The situation proved that the capacity of load-bearing as well as the

flexure reduction through using the members of fletcher.

Conclusion
The laboratory experiment aimed to compare by investigating the performance of beams

of single materials and flitch beams. The timber plank performance, as well as the beam of

timber, had a comparison to three beams of the flitch. The experiment showed how different axis

could be affected in the loading of beams. Stiffness is seen to be higher in Fletched members

than in wooden members. The greater capacity of point of loading is higher in fletched members

than wooden members

TIMBER AND FLITCH BEAMS 14

References
Danawade, B., Malagi, R., & Malagi, S. (2013). Flexural strength properties of teak wood-filled

rectangular hollow sectioned thin steel tube and its application in automobile (No. 2013-

01-1179). SAE Technical Paper.

Alam, P. (2004). The reinforcement of timber for structural applications and repair (Doctoral

dissertation, University of Bath (United Kingdom)).

Moreira, L. S. P. D. C. (2013). Experimental Reinforcement of Wood Beams (Doctoral

dissertation).