Course Title: Analyse and design simple structural timber members

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: CIVE5623

Course Title: Analyse and design simple structural timber members

School: 130T Infra, Electrotec & Build Serv

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6066 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Engineering (Structural Design)

Course Contact : Tony Skinner Program Coordinator

Course Contact Phone: (03) 9925 4444

Course Contact Email:tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program Coordinator:
Mr Tony Skinner
Tel. 9925 4444
Fax. 99254377
Email: tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

EDX130 - Use mathematics at technician level
EDX140 - Use quadratic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and matrices
EDX100 - Solve simple problems in Statics and Strength of Materials
EDX090 - Solve more complex problems in Statics and Strength of Materials
EDC030 - Determine design loads on beams and columns

Course Description

This unit covers the competency to interpret Australian Standards and design simple timber structures consisting of beams, columns and connections.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

EAC140 Analyse and design simple structural timber members

Element:

Calculate, using Appropriate Australian Standards, the design loads for timber beams and columns

Performance Criteria:

1.1 AS1170 Part 0 is used to determine load combinations.
1.2 AS1170 Part 1 is used to determine the design dead and live loads.
1.3 Calculations are carried out to determine the loads on beams.
1.4 Calculations are carried out to determine the loads on columns.
1.5 AS1170 Part 2 is used to determine the wind loads on structural members.

Element:

Design, to AS1720, simple timber beams, simple timber beams within a grid, columns and nailed and bolted connections.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Calculations are carried out to design a simply supported beam for strength.
2.2 Calculations are carried out to design a simply supported beam for shear.
2.3 Calculations are carried out to design a simply supported beam for serviceability - short and long term.
2.4 Calculations are carried out to design a column for concentric load.
2.5 Calculations are carried out to design structural members subjected to tensile forces.
2.6 Calculations are carried out to design simple nailed and bolted connections.


Learning Outcomes


  • Calculate, using Appropriate Australian Standards, the design loads for timber beams and columns
  • Design, to AS1720, simple timber beams, simple timber beams within a grid, columns and nailed and bolted connections.


Details of Learning Activities

Theory and industry-based worked examples on the:
• Calculation of the design loading for timber beams and columns using appropriate Australian Standards and industry drawings
• Analysis and design of simple timber beams in accordance with AS 1720 and industry drawings
• Analysis and design of axially loaded timber compression members in accordance with AS 1720 and industry drawings
• Analysis and design of timber tension members and industry drawings
• Analysis and design of nailed and bolted connections in timber in accordance with AS 1720 and industry drawings

Research
• Using the Internet research AS/NZS 1170 Part 0, 1 & 2 and identify the clauses required for the acceptable design loading for timber beams and columns.
• Using the Internet research AS 1720 and identify the clauses required for the design of simple timber beams, tension members, compression members and nailed and bolted connections.


Teaching Schedule

See Online Learning Hub for details.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

AS 1720 Australian Standard – Timber structures Part 1: Design methods
AS 1170.0 Structural design actions part 0: General principles
AS 1170.1 Structural design actions part 1: Permanent, imposed and other actions
AS1170.2 Structural design actions part 2: Wind actions

OR

Australian Standards for Civil Engineering Students, Part 2 – Structural Engineering HB 2.2


References

HB 108-1998 Timber Design Handbook - In accordance with the Australian Limit State Timber Design Code, AS 1720.1-1997


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

This unit will be assessed in the classroom and the laboratory environment using holistic assessment based on typical workplace activities.

Assessment will comprise (for both elements):

  • A project based upon the analysis and design of timber members in a 3-D structural frame 
  • Two 2-hour examinations (mid-semester and end-of-semester)


Assessment Tasks

This unit will be assessed in the classroom environment using holistic assessment, based on typical workplace activities.

• A project based upon the analysis and design of timber members in a 3-D structural frame
• Two 2-hour examinations (mid-semester and end-of-semester)


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Prerequisite units comprise part of the underpinning knowledge and skills.
Use of AS 1170 for the determination of loads.
Use of AS 1720 to determine the following:-
Identify species of timber
Selection of strength group classifications
Joint group classifications and design density
Structural design properties
Characteristic strengths
Capacity factors
Effective spans and lengths
Modification factors
Slenderness coefficient for lateral buckling under bending
Slenderness factors for lateral buckling under compression
Member design capacities
Calculation of section properties from first principles.
Correct extraction of section properties from relevant industry tables.
Use of currently available timber sizes in the design process.
An understanding of limit state theory and design principles for:
Members subjected to bending
Members subjected to shear
Members subjected to deflection
Members subjected to axial compression
Members subjected to axial tension
Simple nailed and bolted joints
Spacings - end, edge and pitch

Course Overview: Access Course Overview