Timber joist calcs - can anyone help?
Discussion
I have a beam and block floor, beneath which we'll have a void, then a plasterboard ceiling supported by timber joists.
What size timber do I need working on 4.0m clear span with no connection or help from the beam and block above, 400mm centres, no imposed loads - the 12.5mm plasterboard dead load only - so 0.2kN/mm2?
I can't find a free sizing calculator anywhere, and any load tables assume I'll be above the joists jumping up and down on them.
I know I should pass silver across the palm of my SE, but it's easier and quicker (and cheaper) asking on here.
TIA!
What size timber do I need working on 4.0m clear span with no connection or help from the beam and block above, 400mm centres, no imposed loads - the 12.5mm plasterboard dead load only - so 0.2kN/mm2?
I can't find a free sizing calculator anywhere, and any load tables assume I'll be above the joists jumping up and down on them.
I know I should pass silver across the palm of my SE, but it's easier and quicker (and cheaper) asking on here.
TIA!
170x38mm C16 (regularised) will do the job at 600mm centres.
That is based on a 0.25kN/m2 dead load and NO imposed load
Edited - nuts, just noted you said 400mm centres - That pushes the depth down to 145mm at 38mm wide.
Edited for a second time - Use info above at your own risk (although it does come from legit source!).
That is based on a 0.25kN/m2 dead load and NO imposed load
Edited - nuts, just noted you said 400mm centres - That pushes the depth down to 145mm at 38mm wide.
Edited for a second time - Use info above at your own risk (although it does come from legit source!).
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 29th January 22:36
You'll probably find 150x50 (or 147x47 ish when sawn) will be cheaper than 147x38 - I remember requesting a 38mm wide joist at a timber merchant to be told that they could do it, but would only take a wider piece (50mm or 75mm) and cut it down! You pay for the timber and the price of cutting it! Best just go with good old 6x2's.
Use the TRADA span tables using either c16 or c24 grade joists. Spans are given for various load scenarios:
http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/PDF/BC_TRADA_SPAN_TAB...
http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/PDF/BC_TRADA_SPAN_TAB...
I used the new EC5 span tables - you might get a different result depending on assumed point imposed load. Because it is a ceiling below a concrete floor structure, there would be no issue of point imposed load (person walking on ceiling joists) therefore you can reduce the point imposed load.
With a reduced point imposed load, the timber sizes can be reduced slightly. But - there is no harm going bigger!
With a reduced point imposed load, the timber sizes can be reduced slightly. But - there is no harm going bigger!
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 29th January 09:09
This is what I came up against, hence the reason for the posting - there aren't any tables I could find that size the joists assuming zero imposed or point loadings.
They all assume my christmas decorations and dead mother-in-laws will be stored above.
6x2 seems cheapish and chunky enough, but not too heavy as to make it difficult holding the timbers in position waiting for the No-nails to set at both ends.
Kidding
They all assume my christmas decorations and dead mother-in-laws will be stored above.
6x2 seems cheapish and chunky enough, but not too heavy as to make it difficult holding the timbers in position waiting for the No-nails to set at both ends.
Kidding
andy43 said:
This is what I came up against, hence the reason for the posting - there aren't any tables I could find that size the joists assuming zero imposed or point loadings.
That's because zero imposed loading is unrealistic. Ceiling loading is already very low. In your case what if step ladders collapse and someone grabs onto a joist, etc. ?TA14 said:
andy43 said:
This is what I came up against, hence the reason for the posting - there aren't any tables I could find that size the joists assuming zero imposed or point loadings.
That's because zero imposed loading is unrealistic. Ceiling loading is already very low. In your case what if step ladders collapse and someone grabs onto a joist, etc. ?Yeah that works for floor joists, but you will well overspec if it is for the support of the ceiling plasterboard only.
Remember this spec if for a ceiling below a concrete floor - there will be no people load or any other imposed load on the floor. The only load is the weight of the ceiling lining - as spec'd by the OP at 0.2kN/m2 (I assume he meant m and not mm as in his post!).
Remember this spec if for a ceiling below a concrete floor - there will be no people load or any other imposed load on the floor. The only load is the weight of the ceiling lining - as spec'd by the OP at 0.2kN/m2 (I assume he meant m and not mm as in his post!).
Skodasupercar said:
Yeah that works for floor joists, but you will well overspec if it is for the support of the ceiling plasterboard only.
Remember this spec if for a ceiling below a concrete floor - there will be no people load or any other imposed load on the floor. The only load is the weight of the ceiling lining - as spec'd by the OP at 0.2kN/m2 (I assume he meant m and not mm as in his post!).
and the joists themselves...Remember this spec if for a ceiling below a concrete floor - there will be no people load or any other imposed load on the floor. The only load is the weight of the ceiling lining - as spec'd by the OP at 0.2kN/m2 (I assume he meant m and not mm as in his post!).
I've looked at the documents and I can't see 150x50 being up to the job, I've only found that 170x50 are up to the job, from all the TRADA documentation I have in front of me, for the span in question. If we consider that it is in effect a ceiling, which I guess it is really.
The joists also have to support their own weight, i.e. if they were too skinny they would deflect (bow) a lot, too much for my liking.
The joists also have to support their own weight, i.e. if they were too skinny they would deflect (bow) a lot, too much for my liking.
The self weight of the joists is considered in the calcs but ISN'T included in the dead load figure. The dead load figure is for the linings alone.
The reason you can't find 150x50 (well 145x47) in the span tables is two fold. 1) I suspect you have the 2nd edition span tables to BS5268, not the new timber sizer software to EC5 2) the standard span tables assume an imposed load of 0.9kN. Being as there is only a tiny void between the ceiling and the floor structure above, there will be no access or additional loading. Therefore the imposed load can be reduced.
With timber sizing you should always expect a deflection of span/250. Unless you overspec the members that is!
Now for floor joists at this span and centers you would be looking at 245x47mm for a domestic intermediate floor. So, a floor that could take the weight of furniture, many many people, the weight of the ceiling and floor linings and the weight of some timber partitions needs a 245mm deep joist, whereas a ceiling joist that is only holding 1x sheet of plasterboard and nothing else needs 150mm.
I hope that puts the sizes and the loads into perspective!
The reason you can't find 150x50 (well 145x47) in the span tables is two fold. 1) I suspect you have the 2nd edition span tables to BS5268, not the new timber sizer software to EC5 2) the standard span tables assume an imposed load of 0.9kN. Being as there is only a tiny void between the ceiling and the floor structure above, there will be no access or additional loading. Therefore the imposed load can be reduced.
With timber sizing you should always expect a deflection of span/250. Unless you overspec the members that is!
Now for floor joists at this span and centers you would be looking at 245x47mm for a domestic intermediate floor. So, a floor that could take the weight of furniture, many many people, the weight of the ceiling and floor linings and the weight of some timber partitions needs a 245mm deep joist, whereas a ceiling joist that is only holding 1x sheet of plasterboard and nothing else needs 150mm.
I hope that puts the sizes and the loads into perspective!
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